Kindergarten Process for Applications for Admission for September 2025
Thank you so much for your interest in Deer Lake School’s Kindergarten Program!
Families who are interested in applying to Deer Lake School for 2025-2026 must attend any of our one-hour Open House events scheduled in November 2025. Families will
1) take a short tour of the school with high school ambassadors
2) experience everyday school life at DLS, and
3) learn about school life, culture and the application process from school administrators.
**We require all families applying to DLS to tour the school before they submit their application so that they can fully understand our DLS culture, philosophy and programs.
KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE DATES NOV. 2024
(Tours are by RSVP/appointment only - please click on the date and time you prefer and complete the online registration form)
Tuesday. November 12 9 am FULL-REGISTRATION CLOSED
Tuesday, November 12 10 am FULL-REGISTRATION CLOSED
Wednesday, November 13 9 am FULL-REGISTRATION CLOSED
Wednesday, November 13 10 am FULL-REGISTRATION CLOSED
Monday, November 18 9 am FULL-REGISTRATION CLOSED
Monday, November 18 10 am. FULL-REGISTRATION CLOSED
Monday, November 25 9 am. FULL-REGISTRATION CLOSED
Monday, November 25 10 am FULL-REGISTRATION CLOSED
**Tours are by appointment only.
Please note: Children can start kindergarten in September of the year they turn five years of age, under the Ministry of Education guidelines for the Province of British Columbia. That means they must turn age 5 before December 31st of the year in which they begin kindergarten.
Kindergarten Application Process for 2025-2026:
STEP 1: Attend an Open House in Nov. 2024
The dates are/will be listed above - you must pre-register for a tour appointment.
STEP 2: Complete an Application Form and Submit to Deer Lake School
After you have attended an open house, parents will find the Deer Lake School application form (a fillable PDF) is available on our school website, under Admissions.
When you have completed the application form and all accompanying paperwork is assembled, please email it to Mrs. Christina Luk, our office manager, at admissions@deerlakeschool.ca. She will reply to your email and let you know if you are missing any documentation.
Original Documents with Translation Verified: Please provide copies of your original documents, and if they are in a language other than English, documents need to be translated into English by a certified translation organization and verified by a notary public. All original documents will need to be verified by the school at your final registration.
**The Kindergarten application deadline is January 17, 2025 for the upcoming September 2025-2026 school year admission.
STEP 3: Book a Time for an Early-Learning Group Interview Session
Once a completed kindergarten application form has been successfully submitted to the school, all applicants will be contacted by the school office to register for a 30-minute group interview session taking place in the Kindergarten classroom on Sunday, January 26, 2025 in groups of approximately 10-12 children. Please note that time slots fill up quickly, and your preferred time may not be available, so please have a first and second choice option:
10:00-10:30 am
11:00-11:30 pm
12:30-1:00 pm
1:30-2:00 pm
During the 30-minute session, children will complete teacher-directed tasks, engage in free play, and have an opportunity to participate in Centre-Time. The Deer Lake School principal and Kindergarten teacher will be present to spend time with and observe the children. These sessions will help us determine which students are ready for our kindergarten program. Some of the skills assessed include gross motor skills, the ability to follow directions, social interaction and self-regulation.
STEP 4: Personal Student Interview and Assessments
Following the Early-Learning Group Interview Sessions, the school will contact student families to schedule an interview or to share reasons why admission may not be possible.
This 20-minute interview is with your child, accompanied by you as parents. It is hosted by the principal and kindergarten teacher. The interview is an opportunity
for our administration to get to know you and your child
to understand your needs and expectations
to review our vision and philosophy of education with you
to address any specific questions you may have about our school at that time.
Based on the information shared in your application, the school may ask to conduct additional assessments of your child to determine readiness, any educational support services needed, or English language proficiency level.
Kindergarten interview appointments will be scheduled on weekdays Feb. 3-14, 2025 here at the school.
STEP 5: Notification of Acceptance
Following your interview with the administrative team, parents will be notified by telephone with details of your child’s eligibility for the September 2024-2025 school year. Students will be accepted based on space and/or suitable program availability or placed on a waitlist.
Notification of acceptance will be no later than Feb. 21, 2025
The Kindergarten application deadline is Jan. 17, 2025 for the upcoming September 2025-2026 school year admission.
If you would like more information about Deer Lake School, or have questions about the admission process, please call 604-434-5844 or email Gaileen Woytko, Director of Advancement, Marketing & Community Relations, gwoytko@deerlakeschool.ca
Before your visit our school we invite you to review our website in detail, including
Welcome to Deer Lake School, an Introduction to the DLS Family (below)
various content relating to school life, philosophy and activities
Kindergarten Information Session: Beginning with the End in Mind Video (below) with Heather Gagnier, Kindergarten Teacher