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Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School
Introduction
Cousteau School is a nonprofit independent institution in Canada offering a dual curriculum that combines the French National Education program with the British Columbia curriculum. Located on the North Vancouver Fromme Road campus, La Calypso, the school serves students aged 3 to 14 in Pre-K through Grade 9 and enrolls 250 learners from 30 nationalities. Instruction is bilingual from early years, in French and English, and the school is affiliated with AEFE and Mission Laïque Française (MLF). Fully accredited by the BC Ministry of Education and the French Ministry of Education, it operates under AISBC principles and a governance board. The campus features the bilingual Library and Documentation Center with Culturethèque access, Forest School for early years, and a wide range of after-school activities—more than 30 clubs, sports, arts and STEAM. Notable programs include field trips, the Terry Fox Run, Eco-School activities, and an emphasis on citizenship and global awareness.
3657 Fromme Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7K 2E6, Canada
The Essentials
Cousteau School has 250 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in French, English.
Location
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Main campus at 3657 Fromme Road, North Vancouver, BC V7K 2E6. The Vancouver campus operates at La Calypso French Preschool, 1555 West 7th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J 1S1. The school resides on Coast Salish traditional territory (Skwxwú7mesh Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
Stages
Preschool through Grade 9.
Type
Dual Curriculum France & BC; bilingual school offering the French National Ministry of Education and the British Columbia Ministry of Education curricula; Affiliated with AEFE and Mission Laïque Française (MLF).
Additional learning support
The school has a Special Educational Needs Coordinator. All students with SEND are offered help and support. Learning support includes in-class differentiation, small-group sessions, and, when needed, external specialists, with regular reviews and an individual education plan (PPRE or PPS).
Country affiliation
Canada
School day structure
English instruction is allocated across the plurilingual program: Preschool 2.5 hours/week; Kindergarten 5 hours/week. In Elementary, English accounts for 6 hours/week (Grades 1–3) and 7 hours/week (Grades 4–5). Middle School is fully bilingual in French and English, with Friday afternoon project-based sessions.
Bus service
Two bus routes operate within Vancouver and North Vancouver. Advance booking is required; seats are limited; bus stops and schedules are published. Rates for 2025/2026 are listed.
Fees
Annual tuition at Cousteau School ranges from CAD 19,600 for 2026/27.
Main Campus (North Vancouver) — Annual tuition (2026/27)
- Annual tuition (Pre-K to Grade 9): CAD 19,600. - Sibling tuition amounts (reduced annual tuition for additional children): - 2nd child: CAD 18,400. (Equivalent to a CAD 1,200 reduction from full fee.) - 3rd child: CAD 15,600. (Equivalent to a CAD 4,000 reduction from full fee.) - 4th child: CAD 12,100. (Equivalent to a CAD 7,500 reduction from full fee.)
Main Campus — New / admission fees and bond
- Application Fee (new students): CAD 150 (non-refundable). - Admission (enrolment) Fee (new students): CAD 1,600 (non-refundable). - Bond (security deposit) for new students: CAD 5,000. This bond is refundable under conditions when the student leaves the school; for siblings the bond amount is CAD 2,500.
Main Campus — Re-enrolment and international fees
- Re-enrollment fee for returning students: CAD 500 if paid prior to February 28, 2026; CAD 1,000 if paid after February 28, 2026 (non-refundable). - International / non-resident students: tuition increased by 35% above standard resident rates.
Main Campus — Billing schedule & payment terms
- Initial payment at enrollment contract signature: CAD 2,000. The remaining balance is due on September 1, 2026, according to the payment plan chosen. - Payment plan options (choose at time of contract): - One full payment on September 1, 2026. - Payments by term (trimestrial payments) starting September 1, 2026. If the trimester plan is chosen, the balance after the CAD 2,000 initial payment (CAD 17,600) is divided over three term instalments. For example, CAD 17,600 ÷ 3 = CAD 5,866.67 per term (exact amounts may be rounded by the school and instalment fees may apply). - Monthly instalments starting September 1, 2026 (number of monthly instalments is selected as part of the payment plan; additional instalment fees apply depending on the chosen plan).
La Calypso Campus (Vancouver) — Annual tuition (2026/27)
- Annual tuition (Pre-K): CAD 10,450. - New student fees (La Calypso): Application Fee CAD 150 (non-refundable); Admission Fee CAD 500 (non-refundable). - Re-enrollment fee (La Calypso): CAD 300 if paid prior to February 28, 2026; CAD 600 if paid after February 28, 2026 (non-refundable). - Billing schedule for La Calypso: First payment of CAD 2,090 due at enrollment contract signature; balance due on September 1, 2026 according to chosen plan. Nine monthly instalments (starting September 1, 2026) are explicitly offered for La Calypso as a payment plan option; instalment fees may apply. Example monthly amount if nine monthly instalments are chosen: balance after CAD 2,090 (CAD 8,360) ÷ 9 = CAD 928.89 per month (exact amounts may be rounded).
Boarding / Accommodation
- Boarding: Not applicable. Cousteau School operates Pre-K to Grade 9 day programs and does not offer boarding accommodation.
Other costs and recurring fees
- School Bus (monthly rates shown for 2025/26; monthly rates and routes may be updated by the school): - Vancouver – Cousteau route (5 days/week, 2-way): CAD 404 per month for 1 child; CAD 550 per month for 2 children or more. - Vancouver – Cousteau route (5 days/week, 1-way): CAD 202 per month for 1 child; CAD 275 per month for 2 children or more. - North Vancouver – Cousteau route (5 days/week, 2-way): CAD 294 per month for 1 child; CAD 400 per month for 2 children or more. - North Vancouver – Cousteau route (5 days/week, 1-way): CAD 147 per month for 1 child; CAD 200 per month for 2 children or more.
- Hot lunch: Hot lunch programs are available through partner caterers (Well Fed and Zaatar w Zeit). Hot-lunch pricing is set by the external providers and is paid through their ordering systems.
- After-school activities / clubs: These activities carry separate fees set per activity. Payment methods accepted for after-school activities include Interac e-transfer, debit card, MasterCard and Visa at the school reception, and cheque.
- Library replacement / damage: In case of loss or irreparable damage to library materials, the school requires either replacement (acquisition of an identical copy) or reimbursement equal to the new price plus a 20% handling fee.
- Miscellaneous costs: Field trips, special projects, extra-curricular program fees, materials, and any optional school events are charged separately as applicable; amounts are set per activity or event by the school or external provider. (Where fixed monthly or per-event prices are published by the school or a partner, those specific figures are listed in the relevant program pages.)
Refund information
- Full-year tuition: Not refundable. - Application Fee and Admission Fee: Non-refundable. - Re-enrollment fee: Non-refundable. - Bond: Refundable under conditions when the student leaves the school; the bond is held and returned according to the school's conditions at departure. - Library replacement: Replacement or reimbursement (new price + 20% handling).
Fee payment options and accepted methods
- Accepted payment methods (examples used across admissions and activities): - Interac e-Transfer (to the school's accounting e-mail address for applicable payments). - Credit card payments via the school's designated card payment portal (Plastiq) for certain fees. - Debit, MasterCard and Visa payments accepted at the school reception for designated payments. - Cheque payable to the school for specified payments.
Notes on instalments and additional charges
- If a payment plan with instalments is selected, additional instalment fees apply according to the chosen plan; instalment fees vary by plan. The school requires the initial deposit at contract signing and the remaining balance according to the payment schedule selected. Examples above show arithmetic breakdowns of term or monthly instalments based on the stated initial payment and annual fee; exact instalment amounts may be rounded and are subject to the school's billing policies and any instalment fees.
Academics
Cousteau School teaches French Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum for students aged 3 to 14.
Curriculum
The school teaches a dual curriculum combining the French National Education program and the British Columbia curricula. Bilingual instruction is provided from Pre-K to develop proficiency in both French and English. The program includes Maternelle (Pre-K & Kindergarten, 30 months–5 years), Elementary School (Grades 1–5), and Middle School (Grades 6–9). The school emphasizes citizenship and global awareness through programs in science, arts, and sports. Enrollment is about 250 students from 30 nationalities, with an average class size of 15 students and a teacher–student ratio of 1:6.
Student Teacher Ratio
1:6 teacher-to-student ratio; average class size is 15 students.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Moral and civic education and socio-emotional learning shape responsible citizens. Social Development fosters collaboration, respect, empathy, and interpersonal skills, while promoting self-awareness and emotional regulation in an inclusive and supportive environment.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English instruction accounts for over 20% of class time; Grades 1–3: 6 hours per week; Grades 4–5: 7 hours per week. English instruction includes language study, as well as bilingual projects integrated across subjects such as social sciences and music.
Mental Wellbeing
Physical Education fosters an active lifestyle and contributes to the general well-being and development of both physical and mental health.
Safeguarding
The school provides a safe and healthy learning environment and adheres to WorkSafe BC Occupational Health and Safety regulations. It includes policies on health and safety, a dedicated SEND framework with progress reviews and access to external specialists, and ongoing communication with parents; there are policies on child abuse and neglect and procedures to report unsafe acts and injuries.
Admissions
Admissions
The admissions process has five steps: Step 1 Discover Cousteau School by learning about the school's values and educational approach, tuition, and admission criteria; visit the school via an Open House or a private tour and express interest by submitting an inquiry. Step 2 Submit an online application and provide the reasons for interest, pay the $150 application fee, and include the child's latest report cards and, if applicable, the child's Individual Education Plan. Step 3 Schedule a placement assessment for applicants entering Kindergarten, Elementary, or Middle School; exemptions apply for applicants from French Ministry-accredited schools and for Pre-K2, Pre-K3, and Pre-K4. Step 4 Meet with the admissions or leadership team for a personal interview. Step 5 The final decision is based on academic and non-academic factors, including the family's alignment with the school's project and values, space availability, and class composition; families are notified of the final decision as soon as possible.
Scholarships
Cousteau School does not offer an internal financial assistance program. External options include BC's Affordable Child Care Benefit Program for Pre‑K programs, which is income-based; eligibility is determined by family income and applications are assessed on the government site. A School Bursary from the French Government is available and administered by AEFE; bursaries are based on income and assets and applications are reviewed by the Consulate General of France in Vancouver; applications are accepted in two sessions each year, February and September.
FAQs
What curriculum does Cousteau School follow?
Cousteau School offers a dual curriculum combining the French National Education program with the British Columbia curriculum. It is affiliated with AEFE and Mission Laïque Française.
What age range does Cousteau School serve?
The school serves students aged 3 to 14, from Pre-K through Grade 9, with 250 learners from 30 nationalities.
Is the school bilingual?
Yes, instruction is bilingual in French and English from the early years, with the dual curriculum framework supporting both languages throughout.
Does Cousteau School offer learning support?
Yes, the school has a Special Educational Needs Coordinator providing in-class differentiation, small-group sessions and individual education plans (PPRE or PPS) with external specialist referrals when needed.
Where is Cousteau School located?
The main campus is at 3657 Fromme Road, North Vancouver, BC, with a Vancouver campus at La Calypso French Preschool on West 7th Avenue.
