Salt Spring Island provides diverse educational options for children, including public and private schools, a public French immersion program, and programs that support our thriving homeschooling community.
Our island falls under the SD64 school district, serving five island communities. The district oversees three K-7 elementary schools and one high school on Salt Spring Island. Public schools typically operate Monday to Thursday, allowing Fridays for extracurricular activities.
Please visit the school websites below for more information and to access registration forms:
Fernwood Elementary: Located on the north end of the island, Fernwood Elementary engages around 200 students in various opportunities for exploration, including a beautiful garden and greenhouse program, student leadership initiatives, sports teams, and technology programs with drones and coding robots.
Fulford Elementary: Located on the south end of the island, nestled in the woods surrounded by the ocean, lakes, and streams. This school features strong parental and community involvement and as such, welcomes local artists and community members to share their passion and expertise with the students.
Salt Spring Elementary: The island's largest elementary school features two gardens, an adventure playground, an outdoor classroom, and proximity to trails, the pool, the public library, beaches, and parks. It offers ecological and music programs, including a band. Their French Immersion Program starts in Grade 6.
For grades 8-12, students attend Gulf Islands Secondary School, serving all southern Gulf Islands. With around 600 students (including 70 international students), the school excels in visual and performing arts, culinary programs, careers and transitions programs, and sports. Their French Immersion Program extends to Grade 12.
SD64 GO: Students (K-12) who prefer a more flexible method of schooling can enroll in SD64 GO, a program with both in-class and distance learning components. Teachers are available to help students fulfill Ministry requirements through either online courses or in the designated classroom in Ganges. Ideal for diverse learning styles, it allows participation in some classroom classes and school activities within the high school in addition to being in SD64 GO.
Salt Spring Centre School: This non-denominational independent school offers small, multi-age classes (K-6), emphasizing individualized education and enriched learning experiences in the arts, French, music, visual art, and gardening.
For those interested in homeschooling or unschooling, explore these options on Salt Spring Island:
WOLF: Wisdom of the Earth (WOLF) runs Mondays to Wednesdays for ages 8-14 and focuses on a child’s connection to the earth, community, and themselves. Through learning skills such as shelter building and firemaking, children learn to navigate fear and social dynamics. WOLF also offers a Friday program for children in the regular school system, teens, and adults.
Heartwood: Located on the south end of the island, this program involves both parent-led and teacher-led activities.
WildHaven: An unschooling program for ages 5-teens held at various island locations.
Wayfinders: A two-day-a-week program on a large acreage that offers hands-on learning, exploration, and imaginative play, fostering a deep connection to the earth and all its inhabitants.
Additionally, there are numerous daycare and preschool options on the island:
Little Blue Early Learning Centre: ECE from September – June on a working farm on the south end of the island.
Little Red School House: A nature-based preschool in a sweet heritage schoolhouse on the south end of the island.
Salt Spring Early Learning Centre: ECE trained play-based daycare, located near Ganges.
Salt Spring Island Cooperative Preschool: A parent-operated preschool near Ganges for ages 3 and 4.
Tara Brown’s Family Daycare: A small and fun home-based daycare on the north end of the island.
Treefrog Daycare: Year-round daycare for ages 0-5 near Fulford.
Family Place: Offers programs that help families connect on Salt Spring Island.
ELF: A program that focuses on building community by encouraging children, parents, grandparents, and friends to gather together to learn through connection and play.