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St Francis Xavier School

428 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC, V5T 4S5 · Vancouver

Rating

10

5-year avg

9.4

Rank

1/1032

2026 report · 2024-2025 school year

Quick take

School review information

St. Francis Xavier School is a top-tier Catholic independent elementary school that offers a rigorous academic curriculum, strong cultural ties through its Chinese language programs, and a deeply rooted faith-based community. Its perfect Fraser Institute rating and dedicated staff make it a highly desirable choice for families seeking a structured, high-achieving environment. However, the mandatory volunteer requirements and strict Catholic admission priorities mean it is best suited for families who are ready to fully integrate into the parish community.

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Editorial review summary

Publicly available parent reviews for St. Francis Xavier School are somewhat limited, but the available signals are highly positive. Parents appreciate the school's strong sense of community, caring staff, and inclusive environment. Some feedback specifically highlights the school's excellent support for children with special needs, such as ASD and ADHD, praising the dedication of Educational Assistants (EAs). Families also value the dual-stream Chinese language program and the onsite Montessori daycare. However, prospective parents should note that the school enforces a mandatory Parent Participation Program (requiring volunteer hours for duties like parking patrol and fundraising, or a monetary levy in lieu) and a strict uniform policy, which requires a strong commitment from families.

Common positives

  • Exceptional academic performance (ranked 1/1032 with a 10/10 Fraser Institute rating).
  • Robust dual-stream Chinese language program offering both Cantonese and Mandarin.
  • Convenient onsite Montessori-based preschool and daycare facilities.
  • Strong community involvement and faith-based values.
  • Positive public feedback regarding support for students with special educational needs.

Common concerns

  • Mandatory Parent Participation Program requires a significant time commitment (or a financial levy).
  • Strict admission priorities heavily favor Catholic families and active parishioners, making it difficult for non-Catholics to gain entry.
  • Relatively large maximum class sizes (up to 31 students per class).

Who this school may fit

Highly recommended for Catholic families in Vancouver who value top-tier academic performance, Chinese language and cultural education, and a strong, active school community. Families must be prepared to commit to the school's uniform policies and mandatory parent participation requirements. Non-Catholic families may apply but should be aware of the significantly lower admission priority.

Ratings and data

Academic information

St. Francis Xavier School demonstrates exceptional academic excellence, consistently ranking among the top elementary schools in the province. According to the provided Fraser Institute database, the school holds a perfect overall rating of 10/10 and is ranked 1st out of 1032 schools in British Columbia. Its historical performance is also outstanding, with a rating history of 9.1, 9.7, 9.5, 8.8, and 10, culminating in a highly impressive 5-year average rating of 9.4. The school delivers the B.C. Curriculum within a Christ-centered learning environment, maintaining rigorous academic standards alongside its religious and cultural education.

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

BC Ministry of Education CurriculumCatholic Religious EducationDual-stream Chinese Language Program (Cantonese and Mandarin)Montessori-based Preschool and Daycare Program (onsite)Extracurricular Activities (Basketball, Choir, Ski Trip, Dragon Boat, Walkathon)Mandatory Parent Participation Program

Common questions

Where is St Francis Xavier School located?+

St Francis Xavier School is located at 428 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC, V5T 4S5 in Vancouver.

Does St Francis Xavier School have after-school pickup options?+

InsideVan currently tracks 0 programs that explicitly serve this school and 2 nearby after-school options.

Are there tutors near St Francis Xavier School?+

InsideVan currently lists 3 nearby tutor or academic enrichment options that may work for families around this school.

Are there kids classes near St Francis Xavier School?+

InsideVan currently lists 10 nearby kids class or activity options.

After school

2

pickup or nearby

Nearby tutors

3

nearby options

Nearby classes

10

nearby options

After-school pickup

See pickup and nearby options first

0 explicitly serve this school, plus 2 nearby within 3km.

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What this page covers

St Francis Xavier School school information

St Francis Xavier School is a elementary school in Vancouver. This page brings together school ratings and rankings, school programs, 2 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.

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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.