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Rating
10
5-year avg
10
Rank
1/1032
2026 report · 2024-2025 school year
Quick take
School review information
Our Lady of Mercy School is a premier independent Catholic elementary school in Burnaby, offering outstanding academics and a highly disciplined, supportive environment. However, its strict admission requirements and mandatory volunteering make it a demanding commitment that is best suited for active Catholic families.
Editorial review summary
Public discussions and parent reviews highlight a close-knit, welcoming community that is deeply intertwined with the local parish. Parents note that the school maintains high expectations for student behavior, featuring a strict code of conduct and ample supervision. Because it is an independent Catholic school, the admissions process is highly competitive; priority and reduced tuition rates are given to practicing, registered parishioners who actively contribute (tithing) to the church. Parents also emphasize the mandatory Parent Participation Program, which requires families to commit significant time to volunteering for school and parish events. A few reviews mention that while the education is top-tier, the physical building and facilities are older.
Common positives
- Exceptional academic performance with a 10/10 Fraser Institute rating and a 1/1032 provincial rank.
- Small class sizes and a single-stream model offering personalized attention.
- Strong, close-knit community atmosphere with dedicated families.
- High expectations for student behavior, discipline, and moral character.
- Comprehensive extracurriculars including French, music, arts, and an after-school program.
Common concerns
- Highly competitive admissions that heavily favor practicing, registered Catholic parishioners.
- Mandatory Parent Participation Program requires a significant time commitment for volunteering.
- Financial expectations include tuition fees as well as anticipated parish donations (tithing).
- Some public feedback indicates that the school building and facilities are aging.
- The deeply integrated faith-based curriculum may not be a fit for non-religious families.
Who this school may fit
This school is highly recommended for practicing Catholic families who desire a rigorous, faith-based education and are eager to actively participate in a close-knit parish community. Non-Catholic families or those unable to commit to the mandatory volunteer hours and parish involvement may find the admissions process and community expectations challenging.
Ratings and data
Academic information
Our Lady of Mercy School (OLM) demonstrates exceptional academic performance. According to the Fraser Institute, the school holds a perfect overall rating of 10/10 and ranks 1st out of 1032 schools in British Columbia, maintaining a flawless 5-year average rating of 10. The school utilizes a single-stream classroom model, which keeps class sizes small and allows for a highly favorable student-teacher ratio. This structure ensures personalized attention and high achievement levels, with a strong track record of students successfully transitioning to reputable secondary schools, such as St. Thomas More Collegiate. The curriculum seamlessly integrates Catholic values with rigorous academic standards.
Sources include Fraser Institute data and InsideVan School Guide summaries. Ratings do not represent the full quality of a school.
School-run details
Special programs
Faith-based Education (Catholic values)Academics (Single-stream model)Arts and DramaAthleticsMusic ProgramFrenchLearning Resource CentreParent Participation ProgramAfter School Program (Youth Cat)
Common questions
Where is Our Lady of Mercy School located?+
Our Lady of Mercy School is located at 7481 10th Ave, Burnaby, BC, V3N 2S1 in Burnaby.
Does Our Lady of Mercy School have after-school pickup options?+
InsideVan currently tracks 2 programs that explicitly serve this school and 2 nearby after-school options.
Are there tutors near Our Lady of Mercy School?+
InsideVan currently lists 20 nearby tutor or academic enrichment options that may work for families around this school.
Are there kids classes near Our Lady of Mercy School?+
InsideVan currently lists 17 nearby kids class or activity options.
After-school programs and classes near Our Lady of Mercy School
2 after-school programs explicitly serve this school, 2 are nearby within 3km, plus 20 tutors and 17 class options.
Find pickup programs
Explicitly serves this school
Nearby within 3km, no pickup provided from this school
Tutors near Our Lady of Mercy School
Find math, reading, language, and academic enrichment tutors around this school.
Nearby tutors
Classes near Our Lady of Mercy School
Shown within about 3km of the school, excluding dedicated after-school and tutoring programs.
Nearby classes and activities
After school
4
pickup or nearby
Nearby tutors
20
nearby options
Nearby classes
17
nearby options
After-school pickup
See pickup and nearby options first
2 explicitly serve this school, plus 2 nearby within 3km.
What this page covers
Our Lady of Mercy School school information
Our Lady of Mercy School is a elementary school in Burnaby. This page brings together school ratings and rankings, school programs, 4 after-school options, nearby tutors, and kids classes so families can compare the school and after-school fit in one place.
Sources & data context
AI research sources
Researched: 2026-09-28
The AI summary uses public sources. Public parent commentary is separate from parent reports submitted to InsideVan. Ratings and history are supplied by our database.
Official website
Check programs, admission requirements, and day-to-day arrangements with the school.
Fraser Institute · 2026 report
The rating dataset used here covers 2024-2025. The five-year average belongs to that historical report, not the five years ending today.
Academic ratings do not capture the whole school experience, including belonging, support, or fit for your child. A nearby care provider does not necessarily offer school pickup; confirm with the provider.