Burnaby’s public and independent elementary schools operate within one of British Columbia’s most demographically complex cities. As such, the academic performance of its schools—measured annually in the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on British Columbia’s Elementary Schools—offers insight not only into instructional quality but also into how factors such as parental engagement, neighbourhood stability, and school governance may intersect with outcomes.
The 2024 rankings, derived from provincial Foundation Skills Assessment data in literacy and numeracy, position a mix of Catholic, Christian, and public schools among Burnaby’s strongest academic performers. While the report card focuses narrowly on academic indicators, the rankings nonetheless help illustrate which schools are demonstrating consistent excellence across cohorts.
Top 20 Elementary Schools in Burnaby
1. Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School
Among Burnaby schools, Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School ranks at the very top, achieving a perfect score of 10.0 in the latest report card. It is one of only a handful of schools in British Columbia to do so. This Catholic independent school in South Burnaby likely serves families with strong religious ties and structured home environments that emphasize academic effort and discipline. Though the school charges tuition, it is moderate compared to elite independent institutions, making it accessible to many working and middle-income households. Its consistent top placement suggests the presence of well-established routines and a learning culture that prizes precision, respect, and effort.
2. Holy Cross Elementary School
Also achieving a 10.0 score, Holy Cross Elementary School in the Edmonds area continues the pattern of high-performing Catholic schools in Burnaby. It is reasonable to infer that the school attracts families who place a premium on religious instruction alongside rigorous academics. The consistency of its results implies strong alignment between home expectations and school values. While its catchment area may include socio-economic diversity, the school’s structure, discipline, and community traditions appear to support strong academic performance across groups.
3. St. Michael’s Elementary School
With a score of 9.9 in 2024, St. Michael’s Elementary School maintains its position among the most reliable academic institutions in the city. Its five-year average matches this performance, suggesting stability in teaching quality and school culture. Located near the boundary with Vancouver, the school draws from a broad community of families who likely prioritize continuity in faith and academics. Long-standing ties to parish and alumni networks may also reinforce student commitment and school engagement.
4. John Knox Christian School – Elementary Campus
Scoring 9.7, John Knox Christian School represents one of Burnaby’s strongest non-Catholic independent schools. The school operates under the Christian Reformed tradition and offers a curriculum grounded in both religious and academic development. Tuition rates suggest it may draw families with stable incomes and high educational aspirations. Its strong performance, consistent with previous years, points to a structured learning environment and clearly communicated expectations among staff, students, and families.
5. Deer Lake Seventh-day Adventist School
At 9.4, Deer Lake Seventh-day Adventist School continues to perform well provincially, building on a five-year average that suggests upward momentum. The school is part of a broader Adventist educational network, which places emphasis on character formation and whole-child learning. The community it serves may be socio-economically varied, but is likely unified by religious affiliation and cultural values that support academic effort. The school’s structured daily routines and emphasis on health and service likely contribute to its positive outcomes.
6. St. Helen’s Elementary School
St. Helen’s Elementary School received a score of 8.9 in 2024, with a notably high five-year average of 9.4. Its long-established presence in North Burnaby and consistent performance suggest a community of families who are deeply engaged with the school’s mission. Students likely benefit from home environments where education is emphasized, and the school’s internal culture appears to reinforce high expectations without compromising pastoral care.
7. St. Francis de Sales Elementary School
Scoring 8.5, St. Francis de Sales Elementary School is another example of how Catholic schools in Burnaby continue to post above-average academic results. Its five-year average of 8.7 indicates steady performance. The school likely serves a diverse student population, including families for whom English may be a second language. Structured instruction, close ties to parish life, and a focus on foundational literacy and numeracy may help offset external challenges some students face.
8. École Seaforth Elementary School
École Seaforth Elementary School, a French immersion public school, received a rating of 8.2. With a five-year average of 7.3, its upward trajectory may reflect improving instructional alignment and parental commitment to bilingual education. Families choosing immersion programs often demonstrate high levels of engagement and educational ambition. The school’s catchment likely includes households with university-educated parents and stable employment, which tend to correlate with strong early literacy development and homework support.
9. Buckingham Elementary School
With a score of 7.7, Buckingham Elementary School performs above the provincial average and maintains a steady presence among Burnaby’s academic leaders. Located in a relatively affluent part of the city, the school likely serves students from professional households with access to educational resources and extracurricular support. The stability of the surrounding community may provide continuity in student attendance and staff retention, further contributing to consistent academic results.
10. Lakeview Elementary School
Also scoring 7.7, Lakeview Elementary School is situated in a more modest residential area of Burnaby, with a student body that may include both long-term residents and newer arrivals to Canada. The school’s academic success may be attributed to a combination of committed teaching staff and targeted literacy programs, especially if it serves a linguistically diverse population. While neighbourhood indicators may be mixed, the school appears to have sustained a clear focus on foundational skills.
11. Gilpin Elementary School
Gilpin Elementary School received a score of 7.3. The school is located in a socio-economically mixed area and may serve families working in education, public service, and skilled trades. Academic results at Gilpin suggest a disciplined and inclusive learning environment where differentiated instruction supports a wide range of learners. Stability in leadership and school climate may also play a role in its academic consistency.
12. Sperling Elementary School
Also scoring 7.3, Sperling Elementary School is located in North Burnaby and likely serves a catchment that includes both established homeowners and younger families moving into the area. The school’s ranking may reflect strong instructional practices and parental involvement, particularly in early grades where literacy development is critical.
13. Brentwood Park Elementary School
Brentwood Park Elementary School also achieved a 7.3 score in the 2024 rankings. The school is situated near a fast-growing development zone, and its student population may be in flux. Despite this, Brentwood Park appears to maintain strong academic standards. Access to new facilities and an active parent council may support learning by enabling extracurricular opportunities and additional resources.
14. Gilmore Community Elementary School
Gilmore Community Elementary School received a 7.3 rating, maintaining its position among Burnaby’s stronger public schools. Located in an area with a blend of rental housing and new developments, the school may serve a student population that includes many English language learners. Its success may stem from a proactive approach to inclusion and a strong emphasis on literacy intervention in the early grades.
15. Nelson Elementary School
Nelson Elementary School, with a 7.3 score, is located in the densely populated Metrotown corridor. The area is marked by significant residential turnover, and the school likely educates a linguistically and culturally diverse student body. Its academic outcomes suggest well-developed support systems and effective classroom management strategies.
16. Westridge Elementary School
Westridge Elementary School also scored 7.3 in the 2024 report. It serves a relatively quiet neighbourhood in North Burnaby and may benefit from strong community-school ties. Parents may be employed in professional and academic roles, and the school’s programming likely includes enrichment in science and environmental studies, which complements core academic subjects.
17. Taylor Park Elementary School
Taylor Park Elementary School received a score of 7.2. Located in the Edmonds neighbourhood, the school likely works with a student population that is socio-economically and linguistically diverse. Its above-average academic outcomes may reflect the effectiveness of its learning support programs and teacher collaboration models aimed at meeting varied student needs.
18. École Marlborough Elementary School
École Marlborough Elementary School, one of the largest elementary schools in Burnaby, earned a rating of 7.2. The school operates both English and French immersion programs and serves a broad demographic, including many recent immigrants. Its scale presents management challenges, but consistent performance suggests administrative efficiency and strong instructional leadership.
19. Brantford Elementary School
Brantford Elementary School also scored 7.2 in the 2024 report. The school is located in South Burnaby and likely draws from a stable residential base. Its curriculum may emphasize foundational literacy, mathematics, and citizenship, supported by active family participation and long-tenured teaching staff.
20. Cascade Heights Elementary School
Cascade Heights Elementary School, with a rating of 7.0, rounds out Burnaby’s top twenty. Located in an area undergoing residential change, the school may serve a large number of students from immigrant backgrounds. Its performance suggests that targeted supports—particularly in early language and literacy—are having a measurable impact on student achievement.
Conclusion
Burnaby’s top-ranked elementary schools in the 2024 Fraser Institute report reflect a wide range of institutional models, from tuition-based Catholic schools to large, inclusive public programs. While governance structure and program type play a role, the performance of these schools appears closely linked to stable school leadership, instructional clarity, and active family engagement.
It is also evident that high performance is not exclusive to affluent catchments. Schools with diverse and dynamic enrolment patterns—including those with high proportions of English language learners—appear capable of achieving strong results when well supported. These outcomes suggest that academic success in Burnaby is often the product of a well-aligned system, where school resources, parental involvement, and teaching quality converge in service of student learning.
