Cousteau School is a French Curriculum / Canadian Curriculum school in North Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 1997. Annual tuition ranges from $7,629 to $14,308 USD.
Location & Getting There
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
No internal financial assistance program. External options include BC's Affordable Child Care Benefit Program for Pre-K (income-based, assessed by government). A School Bursary from the French Government is available, administered by AEFE and reviewed by the Consulate General of France in Vancouver; based on income and assets with two application sessions per year in February and September.
Key facts
About
Cousteau School is a nonprofit independent bilingual institution in North Vancouver, Canada, serving approximately 250 students aged 3 to 14 (Pre-K to Grade 9) from 30 nationalities through a dual French National Education and British Columbia curriculum. Affiliated with AEFE and Mission Laïque Française, the school provides bilingual instruction in French and English from the early years, with an average class size of 15 and a 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio. The campus features a bilingual library with Culturethèque access, a Forest School for early years, and over 30 after-school clubs spanning sports, arts, and STEAM.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
- Outdoor Education
- Languages
- STEM
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Pre-K (La Calypso Campus) | CAD 7,629~$ 5,610 |
| Pre-K to Grade 9 (Main Campus) | CAD 14,308~$ 10,521 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: CA$10,450 - 19,600. Application fee: $110.
Admissions Process
- 1Discover the school by learning about values, tuition, and criteria; visit via Open House or private tour and submit an inquiry. Step 2: Submit online application, pay CA$150 application fee, include recent report cards and IEP if applicable. Step 3: Schedule a placement assessment for Kindergarten, Elementary, or Middle School applicants; exemptions for applicants from French Ministry-accredited schools and Pre-K2/3/4. Step 4: Meet with admissions or leadership team for a personal interview. Step 5: Final decision based on academic and non-academic factors including family alignment with school values, space availability, and class composition.
Admissions Details
School Day
English instruction allocated across the plurilingual program: Preschool 2.5 hours/week; Kindergarten 5 hours/week; Elementary Grades 1–3: 6 hours/week; Grades 4–5: 7 hours/week. Middle School is fully bilingual in French and English, with Friday afternoon project-based sessions.
Student Life
Dress Code focusing on practicality, neatness, and safety. No inappropriate language or imagery; no flip-flops, high heels, or spaghetti-strap tops; shorts and skirts must be at least half-thigh length; all clothes must be labeled. Preschool and Kindergarten require replacement clothing kept at school; PE from Grade 2 requires a sport outfit.
Hot Lunch Program five days a week through Well Fed and Zaatar w Zeit. Well Fed provides lunches on Mon, Wed, and Fri with a four-week rotation of hot entrees, cold entrees, sides, and snacks delivered to the classroom; Zaatar w Zeit offers Lebanese cuisine on Tue and Thu. All meals served in biodegradable/recyclable containers; allergy management provided.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
Physical Education fosters an active lifestyle and contributes to the general well-being and development of both physical and mental health.
The school provides a safe and healthy learning environment adhering to WorkSafe BC Occupational Health and Safety regulations. Includes policies on health and safety, a dedicated SEND framework with progress reviews and access to external specialists, ongoing parent communication, and policies on child abuse and neglect with procedures to report unsafe acts and injuries.
Student Demographics
School Background
Non-profit organization governed independently by a Board of Directors elected at the Annual General Meeting. Not part of the Conseil scolaire francophone or the North Vancouver School District. Affiliated with AEFE and Mission Laïque Française.