School District 43

What School District 43 does

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) is a public K-12 school district in British Columbia, Canada, operating under the BC School Act and governed by an elected Board of Education with policy and funding oversight from the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care. The district serves students from kindergarten through grade 12 across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and surrounding Tri-Cities communities, and extends its service portfolio to international students, adult learners, and continuing education participants. As a government state entity, it is not publicly traded and does not operate on commercial revenue mechanics; funding flows from the provincial government on a per-pupil basis, supplemented by ancillary program fees (Continuing Education, Summer Learning, facility rentals such as Terry Fox Theatre) and full-fee international student tuition through its International Education program.

The district delivers education through a network of schools and a broad portfolio of specialized programs, including Programs of Choice (French Immersion, Montessori, Mandarin Bilingual) admitted by lottery, International Baccalaureate, Indigenous Education, English as an Additional Language, StrongStart early learning, Ready Set Learn, Gifted Education, Inquiry Hub, and Career & Trades Programs (25+ tuition-free TRAIN in Trades tracks plus WORK in Trades). Coquitlam Open Learning and SD43 Online Learning Schools extend delivery into grades 10-12 online, while Adult and Continuing Education (ce43.ca) serves post-secondary and adult learners. The underlying technology stack is Microsoft-centric: the public website runs on Scholantis Web Edition built on Microsoft SharePoint, staff use Office 365 and Outlook Web App, and Programs of Choice applications are processed through Microsoft PowerApps portals; SchoolCash Online handles fee payments and UBC's MDI survey tool is referenced for student well-being measurement.

Operationally, SD43 is in a capital expansion cycle driven by population growth in the Burke Mountain corridor. Smiling Creek Elementary opened in September 2018 (capacity 430 students), and the Burke Mountain Secondary/Middle School construction contract was awarded to Yellowridge Construction Ltd. on August 19, 2024, with provincial funding approved in 2022. The Board of Education passed the 2026/27 Annual Budget on April 29, 2026, and the academic calendar's first day of school is September 8, 2026. Leadership is led by Patricia Gartland (Superintendent of Schools), with Stephen Whiffin as Director of Instruction and Dave Sands as Principal of Technology Implementation; program-level leads include Ben King (Career Programs), Joanna Horvath (WORK in Trades), and Ashley Impellezzere (Career Programs Support, focused on Indigenous Peoples and Women in Trades Training). The district maintains strategic partnerships with the BC Ministry of Education (core funder), the City of Coquitlam (joint-use facilities), and the SD43 Education Foundation (scholarships and program support).

Name

School District 43

Legal name

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)

Website

https://sd43.bc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) is a British Columbia public K-12 school district serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and the Tri-Cities, offering specialized Programs of Choice, Career & Trades training, International Education, and Adult & Continuing Education under provincial funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Coquitlam

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) delivers publicly funded K-12 education across its catchment schools in the Tri-Cities area, supplemented by a portfolio of Programs of Choice (French Immersion, Mandarin Bilingual, Montessori, International Baccalaureate) and Career & Trades training. Beyond K-12, the district runs Adult and Continuing Education, Coquitlam Open Learning (grades 10-12 online), Summer Learning, StrongStart early learning, Indigenous Education, EAL support, International Education for foreign students, and SD43 Rentals for community facility use.

Product overview

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) operates as a K-12 public school district offering a unified portfolio of educational programs and services. The core offerings include standard catchment-area schooling alongside a portfolio of Programs of Choice (French Immersion, Mandarin Bilingual, Montessori) for which families apply via lottery. The district also provides Career & Trades Programs with tuition-free skilled trades training for high school students, Adult and Continuing Education, International Education for foreign students, Coquitlam Open Learning (online grades 10-12), Summer Learning, STEM/STEAM programming, Indigenous Education, StrongStart early learning, EAL support, and facility rental services. The district's schools are managed under a SharePoint-based website platform (Scholantis Web Edition). Programs are delivered through district schools and specialized centers, with enrollment managed through Microsoft PowerApps portals for Programs of Choice applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SD43 Education Foundation: Education foundation associated with School District 43
• Programs of Choice
• Coquitlam Open Learning
• Career & Trades Programs
• Summer Learning
• Adult and Continuing Education
• International Baccalaureate
• Smiling Creek Elementary

Products and services

• Programs of Choice (French Immersion, Mandarin Bilingual, Montessori) Specialized educational programs offered at select SD43 schools. Families apply during designated application periods via a lottery system powered by Microsoft PowerApps portals. Includes French Immersion, Mandarin Bilingual, and Montessori pathways available as both Kindergarten Programs of Choice and Late (Grade 6) Programs of Choice.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program IB program offered at select SD43 schools, providing an internationally recognized diploma curriculum framework for secondary students.
• Career & Trades Programs (TRAIN in Trades / WORK in Trades) Vocational and skilled trades training for SD43 high school students. TRAIN in Trades provides 25+ tuition-free programs allowing students to begin trade certification while still in high school. WORK in Trades enables students with paid trades jobs to earn high school credits and trade certification hours. Targeted streams include Indigenous Peoples in Trades and Women in Trades Training.
• Adult and Continuing Education Continuing education programs for adults delivered through ce43.ca, including academic upgrading, English language learning, and professional development courses for community members in the Tri-Cities area.
• International Education Program Recruitment, enrollment, and cultural integration services for international students studying in SD43 schools, operated as a distinct tuition-funded program through internationaled.com.
• Coquitlam Open Learning (Grades 10-12) Online learning program for grades 10-12 students offering flexible, self-paced secondary courses delivered through the Augusoft registration platform.
• Summer Learning Summer educational programs for students of all ages, including academic enrichment and skill-building courses during the summer break, registered through the Augusoft platform.
• SD43 Online Learning Schools Online learning schools operated by the district at sd43online.ca for students seeking full-time or part-time online K-12 education.
• StrongStart Early Learning Free early learning programs for children from birth to kindergarten age, offered at designated SD43 schools.
• Indigenous Education Programs and support services for Indigenous students across SD43, including cultural programming and academic support.
• English as an Additional Language (EAL) Language support programs for SD43 students learning English as an additional language.
• STEM / STEAM Programs Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics programs and initiatives for SD43 students, including offerings such as the Pacific NW Coast Minecraft Experience.
• Encompass 10-12 Alternative education program offering flexible learning options for SD43 students in grades 10-12.
• Customized Learning Centre Alternative learning centre offering personalized educational approaches for SD43 students.
• Apex Program Specialized program offered within SD43 schools, with details available through the Apex program page.
• Ready Set Learn Free early learning events for parents and caregivers of 3-5-year-olds, designed to support children's learning and development as they prepare for kindergarten. Sponsored by the BC Ministry of Education.
• SD43 Rentals Facility and space rental services allowing community members and organizations to use SD43 school facilities outside school hours, including the Terry Fox Theatre.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered project-specific, core and supporting.

• Yellowridge Construction Ltd.project-specificOthers · 19 August 2024Construction company awarded contract for Burke Mountain Secondary/Middle School project.
• Ministry of Education (Province of BC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial government ministry providing funding, policy direction, and oversight for public education in British Columbia.
• City of CoquitlamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partnership for joint-use facilities, shared spaces, and community development projects including Burke Mountain park and school collaboration.
• SD43 Education FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit education foundation supporting student programs, scholarships, and educational initiatives within the district.
• International EducationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational student recruitment and support program, operating as a distinct program within the district.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vancouver School District (SD39): Neighboring BC public school district of comparable scale, also offering Programs of Choice, French Immersion, and IB. Directly comparable in funding model, governance, and program mix, with overlapping catchment in Metro Vancouver.
• Burnaby School District (SD41): Adjacent BC school district serving a similar Metro Vancouver suburban demographic. Operates comparable Programs of Choice and trades pathways, making it the most direct operational peer for SD43.
• Surrey Schools (SD36): BC's largest school district, also offering French Immersion, International Baccalaureate, and trades programs. Closely comparable governance, funding model, and program portfolio, with broader scale.
• Toronto District School Board: Canada's largest public school board, operating K-12 public education with French immersion, alternative schools, and international student programs. Most directly comparable large Canadian public district peer.
• Calgary Board of Education: Major Canadian public school authority offering K-12 programming, alternative programs, and continuing education. Comparable governance, funding model, and program breadth across a mid-sized metro area.
• Edmonton Public Schools: Large Alberta public school district with comparable Programs of Choice, alternative education, and international student programs. Similar in scale, public-sector governance, and breadth of offerings.
• Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District (SD42): Neighboring BC school district operating under the same Ministry of Education framework, with overlapping Programs of Choice and trades pathways. Strong operational comparability within the Tri-Cities-adjacent region.
• Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF): BC's francophone school authority providing French-language K-12 education. Comparable as a BC public school system and a direct peer for SD43's French Immersion Programs of Choice offering.

Broad incumbents

• Stride, Inc. (K12): Large publicly traded provider of online K-12 education and career learning. Comparable to SD43's Coquitlam Open Learning and SD43 Online Learning Schools operations, though operating at national scale as a private for-profit entity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sd43bc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about School District 43