Quick Answer
Which schools serve Burke Mountain?
Depending on the address, Burke Mountain homes are in the Smiling Creek, Coast Salish or Leigh Elementary catchment, the Minnekhada or Kwayhquitlum Middle catchment, and the Terry Fox Secondary catchment. A new SD43 secondary school is under construction on Burke Mountain. Confirm any address with the SD43 School Locator. Craig Johnston, Top 1% Team — Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, 2023–2025 and 47+ year Tri-Cities resident, can walk you through the local context. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours.
Verify your exact address
Look up any Burke Mountain address in SD43’s official School Locator.
Type an address → see the specific catchment schools that serve it. Catchments are set by address, not by neighbourhood name. This is the authoritative source.
The better question is which school plan best fits your family’s daily life, your target home, and your move timeline. That is where better decisions happen.
Benchmark prices and active listings for Burke Mountain from the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® REALTOR® Report for August 2026.
They pick the house first and try to make the school work after.
The smarter move is choosing the school fit first, then narrowing the homes around it.
Many families start with bedrooms, budget, and neighbourhood feel, then realize the school piece can completely change which homes make sense. That is especially true on Burke Mountain, where growth, school planning, and commute rhythm all play a role.
The strongest move decisions usually happen when families look at the school fit first, then compare the home, street, parks, and transit around that decision.
These are the best first-click tools for families trying to compare homes with school access, catchments, and routine.
Background only: SD43's archived Burke Mountain schools page. For current catchments, use the School Locator.
Open Burke Mountain schools info →Verify the address through the official SD43 locator before writing an offer.
Check the official school locator →Useful if the school attached to the address is not your first choice.
Review SD43 cross-catchment details →Compare commute time, bus timing, and train connections for your school run.
Open the TransLink trip planner →Three schools show at a time on desktop, then the carousel rotates automatically.
For families planning beyond the next year or two, this is one of the most important Burke Mountain school developments to watch.
This future school matters because it can shape how families think about long-term home fit on Burke Mountain. Buyers who plan to stay may want to compare their purchase timeline with the school opening timeline and future catchment updates.
Until a school-specific registration page is live, the right path is to monitor SD43’s project and school-planning pages, use the catchment locator, and register through the district’s official new student registration process when applicable.
Track the official Burke Mountain school project updates → Open SD43 new student registration → Use the SD43 locator for catchment planning →Always verify current placement directly with SD43. These cards are meant to help families organize the research and compare practical fit.
| School | Level | Grades | Address | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smiling Creek Elementary | Elementary (Burke catchment, depending on address) | K–5 | 3456 Princeton Ave, Coquitlam (opened Sept 2018) | https://www.sd43.bc.ca/smilingcreek/about-us |
| Coast Salish Elementary | Elementary (Burke catchment, depending on address) | K–5 | 3538 Sheffield Ave, Coquitlam (classes from Sept 2022; building opened Sept 2023) | https://www.sd43.bc.ca/coastsalish/about-us |
| Leigh Elementary | Elementary (Burke catchment, depending on address) | K–5 | 1230 Soball St, Coquitlam | https://www.sd43.bc.ca/leigh/about-us |
| Minnekhada Middle | Middle (Burke catchment, depending on address) | 6–8 | 1390 Laurier Ave, Port Coquitlam | https://www.sd43.bc.ca/minnekhada/about-us |
| École Kwayhquitlum Middle | Middle (Burke catchment, depending on address); also an SD43 French Immersion middle school | 6–8 | 3280 Flint St, Port Coquitlam | https://www.sd43.bc.ca/kwayhquitlum/about-us |
| Terry Fox Secondary | Secondary (Burke catchment) | 9–12 | 1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam | https://studentsuccess.gov.bc.ca/school/04343136 |
| New SD43 secondary school (project name: Burke Mountain Secondary) | Secondary — under construction; SD43 targeting Fall 2027 | To be confirmed by SD43 | Beside Burke Mountain Athletic Park, David Ave, Coquitlam | https://sd43.bc.ca/capital-projects |
| École Irvine Elementary | Early French Immersion by application (not a Burke catchment school) | K–5 | 3862 Wellington St, Port Coquitlam | https://www.sd43.bc.ca/french-programs |
Grades and addresses from SD43's 2025–26 school listing and school pages; new-school status from SD43 Capital Projects (August 2026). Catchments change — confirm any address with the SD43 School Locator: https://www.sd43.bc.ca/Schools/Locator/pages/default.aspx
For many buyers, parks, play space, trails, and community gathering areas are part of what makes the school location feel right in daily life.
Great for families looking at sport court space, community garden features, open lawn, and the neighbourhood feel around Burke Mountain living.
Explore Burke Mountain Pioneer Park →Strong option for families who care about trail systems, off-road cycling, picnic use, and more outdoor movement built into the area.
See Harper Park and trails →Useful for families comparing playground use, basketball, roller hockey, and neighbourhood recreation in the Smiling Creek area.
Review Queenston Park →A strong family-use park with playground, spray park, trails, and active-play features that many buyers want nearby.
See Galloway Park →Good for families who want playgrounds, water play, youth space, and another Burke-area park option in the mix.
Explore Sheffield Park →Now open: the park half of the joint school/park site at 3390/3400 David Avenue officially opened September 25, 2026, with a lit 400 m running track, an artificial turf field and four tennis courts. It sits beside the new SD43 secondary school now under construction. For families, it puts school sport and community sport on the same block.
Read Craig’s Athletic Park guide → See the Burke Mountain Athletic Park project →Burke Mountain is still a more drive-oriented family neighbourhood, but these routes matter when buyers compare station access, school-day logistics, and how the area connects back to Coquitlam Central and Port Coquitlam.
The 188 is useful when families want to understand how Burke-area travel connects through David Avenue, Coast Meridian, Pinetree, and the stations that shape the broader routine.
See live 188 schedule → Open the 188 route map → Download the 188 timetable PDF → Download the 188 route diagram PDF →The 191 is especially relevant for Burke Mountain families because it serves the Princeton side of the neighbourhood and is often the more immediately recognizable Burke route.
See live 191 schedule → Open the 191 route map → Download the 191 timetable PDF → Download the 191 route diagram PDF →
The families and clients featured on Craig’s page consistently point to the same themes: clear communication, patient guidance, strong strategy, professionalism, and a move process that feels more organized and less stressful.
If schools are shaping your next move, Craig Johnston can help you compare catchment fit, daily routine, home options, and long-term family goals before you commit to the wrong property.
Keep building confidence with the pages that support buyers, upsizers, and families comparing Burke Mountain.
On Burke Mountain, the school question is about the exact address, not the neighbourhood. This is how I check it before you remove subjects.
I run each address we're serious about through the SD43 School Locator for elementary, middle and secondary. Burke Mountain has three elementary and two middle-school catchments, so I never assume. I save the result with the date, and I don't treat a listing description as proof of catchment.
I compare your completion and move dates with SD43's calendar. That includes the Kindergarten registration window, the February cross-catchment window and French Immersion applications. If a date matters, we look at subject removal and completion timing with those deadlines in mind before you write the offer.
I suggest you call the catchment school with your address and move date. Ask about registration documents and how they handle new arrivals. SD43 lists a purchase agreement among accepted proofs of residency, but the school confirms what it will take. I can't promise a placement, and nobody else can either.
Burke Mountain's middle and secondary catchment schools are in Port Coquitlam, so I have you drive the school run at the hour you'd use it. We also check the new secondary school's status on SD43's capital projects page, while still buying on today's catchment.
If you want to see how I plan moves around timing and family needs, read my Tri-Cities case studies. Read the Tri-Cities case studies →
No. Depending on the address, a Burke Mountain home is in the Smiling Creek, Coast Salish or Leigh Elementary catchment, and the Minnekhada or Kwayhquitlum Middle catchment. Terry Fox is the catchment secondary. Catchments follow address boundaries, not neighbourhood names, so two homes a few streets apart can have different schools. Check each level (elementary, middle and secondary) for your exact address in the SD43 School Locator before you remove subjects.
Yes, for now. SD43 lists Minnekhada Middle at 1390 Laurier Avenue, Kwayhquitlum Middle at 3280 Flint Street and Terry Fox Secondary at 1260 Riverwood Gate, all in Port Coquitlam. Minnekhada and Kwayhquitlum serve Grades 6–8 and Terry Fox serves Grades 9–12. Burke Mountain's elementary schools are in Coquitlam. If you are comparing homes, drive the middle- and secondary-school run at the times you would actually use it.
Both are right. Coast Salish Elementary started classes in September 2022, but its building at 3538 Sheffield Avenue wasn't finished, so students were bused to temporary space at École Irvine Elementary in Port Coquitlam. The Sheffield Avenue building fully opened in September 2023. It serves Kindergarten to Grade 5, and the Province described it as adding 430 student spaces. Confirm whether your address is in its catchment with the SD43 School Locator.
Not yet. A new SD43 secondary school is under construction on Burke Mountain, beside Burke Mountain Athletic Park on David Avenue. SD43's capital projects page reported it about 70% complete in August 2026 and is targeting a Fall 2027 opening. SD43 has not yet confirmed its grades or catchment. Until it does, I suggest buying on the current catchment shown in the School Locator and treating the new school as a possible future change.
Early French Immersion starts in Kindergarten and Late French Immersion starts in Grade 6. Both are SD43 Programs of Choice: you apply online, and placements are made by random draw, with siblings of current students given priority if space allows. Smiling Creek, Coast Salish and Leigh are not on SD43's French Immersion list. SD43 lists École Irvine Elementary among its Early French Immersion schools and École Kwayhquitlum among its French Immersion middle schools. Applications for September 2026 have closed.
Talk to the catchment school as soon as your purchase is firm. SD43 says most students register directly at their catchment school, and students moving into the district can register at any time during the school year. SD43's registration form lists a property purchase agreement among accepted proofs of residency, along with documents such as utility bills and a BC driver's licence. SD43 does not publish a rule on registering before completion, so ask the school which documents it will accept for your dates.
Only through SD43's cross-catchment process, and it isn't guaranteed. You register at your new catchment school first, then apply during a short window. For September 2025 it ran February 7–12, 2025. Students in the catchment have priority. Requests are filled by random draw, with siblings of current students first. Moving from elementary to middle, or middle to secondary, outside your catchment needs a new application. If timing matters, book a strategy call and we'll map your move date against these deadlines.
Leigh Elementary is at 1230 Soball Street in northeast Coquitlam, and it is one of three elementary catchments that serve Burke Mountain addresses, along with Smiling Creek and Coast Salish. It serves Kindergarten to Grade 5. Whether a particular Burke Mountain home is in the Leigh catchment depends on the address, so check it in the SD43 School Locator. Don't rely on a listing description or the neighbourhood name.
I have spent the last 47+ years living in Coquitlam, 9+ years on Burke Mountain, helping move-up buyers and sellers get from where they are to where they want to be — without the panic of owning two homes at once or selling under value. I work the Tri-Cities every day: Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau, Heritage Mountain, and the rest of Coquitlam’s move-up neighbourhoods.
If you want a straight read on your timing, pricing, or move-up strategy, the fastest next step is a short call.
If you are comparing Burke Mountain because you want the right mix of home, school access, family routine, and long-term fit, Craig can help you narrow the best options with a more practical plan.
Burke Mountain specifics cross-checked against the authorities that actually run this stretch of Coquitlam — City Hall for bylaws and trails, SD43 for catchments, BC Parks for Pinecone Burke, and the regulators for property and strata data. Verify everything.
External links open in a new tab. I'm not affiliated with these organizations — they are cited as independent authorities. Any time a number on this page differs from the authority, the authority wins.
Real reviews pulled from Google. No paid placements. No curated-only-positives. Every review below is from a client who worked with Craig.
“Craig extended such patience, excitement and professionalism in helping my husband and I buy a townhouse in Port Coquitlam (my hometown!) so we could continue raising our two girls where I also grew up. When we faced a hurdle getting financing approval because of a lien on our desired townhome, Craig worked tirelessly with our broker to get the lien removed.”
“Craig was a pleasure to work with for the purchase of our home. Craig was very patient as we debated between a condo and a townhome. Craig found us a home that ticked all of our boxes plus some! He made the whole process smooth and enjoyable.”
“We had a fantastic experience working with Craig on the purchase of our first home in Coquitlam. He was incredibly friendly and responsive, always quick to answer our messages and questions. Throughout the process, he took the time to walk us through each step so my partner and I always knew exactly what was going on and what to expect next. Craig also gave us honest, helpful opinions on properties we were considering, which really helped guide us toward a place we love. On top of that, he connected us with a great broker and lawyer, making the whole process feel seamless. We're so happy in our new home and couldn't have done it without him. Highly recommend Craig to anyone buying a home!”
“His creativity, top-notch communication skills, and a solid plan were instrumental in selling high and buying low. His foresight in negotiation, predicting outcomes before they happened, truly set him apart. He's also humble and very respectful.”
“Throughout our journey, Craig demonstrated immense patience and understanding. He went out of his way to provide extra resources and various options to consider on both the buy and sell side.”
“Craig assisted in every aspect of the purchase of my Bowen Island home, including the building inspection, the follow-up inspection, and ensuring deficiencies were repaired. He was thorough and protected my position every step of the way.”
“Craig was patient throughout the entire process. He never pushed us to buy something we weren't sure about, and when we decided to wait six months and save more, he just said ‘good call’ and stayed in touch. When we did finally buy, the math was so much cleaner.”
“He is a professional who is guided by integrity, honesty, and punctuality. When faced with challenges, Craig has shown his dedication to proactively navigate the issue on hand towards our goal.”
“Craig was an absolute pleasure to work with. He is extremely friendly, highly knowledgeable, and constantly monitors trends and data so we could make informed decisions. The more time we spent interacting with other agents during our home-buying process, the more pleased we were with choosing Craig.”
More on Burke Mountain
Craig writes the Tri-Cities coverage most REALTORS® won't. Every page below is built on the same ground-truth data and the same negotiation playbook Craig uses for every client.
Continue your research
Master guide
Schools, builders, lifestyle, the 9+ year resident's read.
Price bands
August 2026 GVR data + the honest tier-by-tier read.
Lifestyle
Nine years up here — schools, commute, weather, the daily rhythm.
New builds
Polygon, Wesbild, Foxridge — active 2026 inventory.
Tri-Cities monthly
August 2026 Coquitlam detached benchmark is $1,599,100, −5.9% year over year. What that means for your buy or sell decision — without the salesy fluff. One email per month. Unsubscribe anytime.
No spam, no listings flood, no marketing automation games. Genuine monthly update from a 47+ year Tri-Cities resident.
About the numbers on this page: market statistics come from Greater Vancouver REALTORS® data. Price premiums, discounts and ranges are estimates based on recent local sales and Craig’s experience. They’re a guide for planning, not a guarantee — every home and every sale is different.
Thinking about the move, not just the school?
If you're weighing a move into this catchment, the hard part usually isn't the school — it's the timing and the tax math: when to sell your current home, how the property-transfer-tax works on the next one, and how to buy into the right catchment without overpaying. That's the work I focus on across the Tri-Cities. Start with the move-up guide, then get a no-obligation read on what your current home could sell for today.
Worth reading next
Catchment first, then the housing math. These pages carry the Burke Mountain numbers behind a school-driven move.
