Independent school funding

Some independent schools in B.C. receive funding at either 50% or 35% of their local public school district rate. Independent schools that receive funding are required to:

• Be operated by a non-profit independent school authority
• Employ B.C. certified teachers
• Have educational programs consistent with ministerial orders
• Provide a program that meets the learning outcomes of the B.C. curriculum
• Meet various administrative requirements
• Maintain adequate educational facilities
• Comply with municipal and regional district codes

On this page

• Operating Grant Amounts
• Eligible Student (ES) Audit
• Statement of Per-Student Operating Costs (SOPSOC)
• External Evaluations

Operating Grant Amounts

Eligible Student (ES) Audit

For Group 1 and 2 Independent Schools (excluding Distributed Learning and Independent Band Schools):

• 2025-2026 ES Audit Form Completion Information (PDF)
• 2025-2026 ES Audit Form (xlsx)
• 2025-2026 Step-by-Step Guide for Completing the ES Audit Form (PDF)
• 2025-2026 ES Audit Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Appendix I - Eligible Student (Provincial Grant Eligibility) (PDF)
• Appendix II - Status of Parent/Guardian (Admission to Canada & Residency) - Form A (PDF)
• Appendix III - Status of Deceased Parent (Admission to Canada & Residency) - Form B (PDF)

Statement of Per-Student Operating Costs (SOPSOC)

• 2024-2025 SOPSOC Information (PDF)
• 2024-2025 SOPSOC Form – Standard Schools (PDF)
• 2024-2025 SOPSOC Form – Online Learning Schools Only (PDF)

Public School District Per Student FTE Operating Costs: The following information is for the purpose of completing the Statement of Per-Student Operating Costs (SOPSOC). Please do not confuse these figures with operating grant amounts for independent schools.

• 2024-2025 (PDF)
• 2023-2024 (PDF)
• 2022-2023 (PDF)
• 2021-2022 (PDF)
• 2020-2021 (PDF)
• 2019-2020 (PDF)
• 2018-2019 (PDF)

External Evaluations

• Independent Schools Inspection Documents