School District No 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)

What School District No 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) does

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (NLPS), operating as School District No 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith), is a public K-12 school district serving more than 15,650 students across 35 schools in the communities of Nanaimo, Ladysmith, and surrounding areas on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The instructional footprint comprises 28 elementary schools serving grades K-7, 6 secondary schools serving grades 8-12, and 1 Distributed Learning school, supplemented by French immersion, Indigenous education, and inclusive learning programs. Approximately 2,200 staff are employed in instructional, administrative, and operational roles. The district is governed by an elected Board of Education and operates under the regulatory framework of the British Columbia Ministry of Education and Child Care, serving a regional population of roughly 132,623.

The district's revenue model is anchored in per-pupil operating grants from the Province of British Columbia, supplemented by federal grants, international student tuition from approximately 550 students representing 22 countries, childcare user fees across 288 licensed spaces (256 filled), facility rentals, and community partnership contributions. The consolidated operating budget totals $216.7 million CAD. Core technology is sourced rather than built: MyEdBC for student information management, Google Workspace for Education and Microsoft 365 for collaboration, and Microsoft SSO for identity. The district does not develop or license proprietary software and does not operate a commercial product business.

NLPS is currently executing its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. During the 2025-2026 school year, the district expanded its childcare offering from 5 programs at 4 schools to 12 programs at 9 schools, including a 24-hour pilot near the Nanaimo hospital. In April 2026, the Province of British Columbia announced a $52 million capital commitment for the Ladysmith area, comprising $15 million for a 10-classroom expansion at Ladysmith Primary and $37 million for a new seismically safe elementary school replacing Ladysmith Intermediate. The district also renewed community partnerships such as the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive and underwent a Board Chair transition during this period.

Name

School District No 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)

Legal name

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools

Website

https://sd68.bc.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (School District No 68) is a British Columbia public school district serving over 15,650 K-12 students across 35 schools in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, and surrounding communities, operating with a $216.7 million CAD consolidated budget funded primarily by the provincial government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Virtual & Blended Learning Programs (District-Run) (EDAJAAAI)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• International student education
• School-based childcare
• Early childhood programs
• Indigenous education

Headquarters

HQ city

Nanaimo, British Columbia

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Provincial Government Funding: The primary revenue source is provincial government funding through the Ministry of Education and Child Care, providing a consolidated budget of $216.7 million.
2. International Student Tuition: Approximately 550 international students from 22 countries pay tuition fees for education programs, with homestay families receiving monthly honorariums of $1,125.
3. Childcare Fees: The district operates 288 licensed before- and after-school childcare spaces, with 256 currently filled, generating revenue through parent fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

School District No 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) delivers publicly funded K-12 education across 28 elementary schools (K-7) and 6 secondary schools (Grades 8-12), plus a Distributed Learning school (Island ConnectED), a Career Technical Centre offering dual credit programs with Vancouver Island University, an International Student Education program hosting about 550 students from 22 countries with homestay accommodations, French Immersion programs, Learning Alternatives, Indigenous learning supports, StrongStart early years programming, and before- and after-school childcare at 9 elementary schools with 288 licensed spaces.

Product overview

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools operates a comprehensive educational platform comprising 28 elementary schools (K-7), 6 secondary schools (8-12), and specialized programs. The core offerings include the Career Technical Centre for dual credit trades training, Island ConnectED for distributed learning K-12, International Student Education hosting ~550 students from 22 countries, French Immersion programs, Learning Alternatives for non-traditional pathways, and Early Years programming including StrongStart and Before/After School Care. The district's technology infrastructure includes Microsoft SSO authentication, Google Suite for Education, and MyEdBC student information systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Island ConnectED: Distributed Learning school offering K-12 online education programs
• Career Technical Centre (CTC)
• Learning Alternatives

Products and services

• K-12 Public Education Full range of publicly funded K-12 education programs delivered through 28 elementary schools (Kindergarten to Grade 7) and 6 secondary schools (Grades 8 to 12), serving more than 15,650 resident students within the Nanaimo-Ladysmith catchment area.
• Career Technical Centre (CTC) Career Technical Centre offering Dual Credit and Trades Sampler programs in partnership with Vancouver Island University, enabling secondary students to earn college and high school credits simultaneously and gain hands-on trade training and career pathway exposure.
• Island ConnectED Distributed Learning school offering Kindergarten to Grade 12 education for students who require flexible learning arrangements, including online and blended delivery options.
• International Student Education (ISE) Program hosting approximately 550 international students annually from 22 countries, providing English-language K-12 education with homestay placements with local families, who receive a $1,125 monthly honorarium.
• French Immersion French language immersion programs available at multiple elementary and secondary schools throughout the district, including the planned new dual-track English and French Immersion K-7 school in Ladysmith.
• Learning Alternatives Secondary Learning Alternatives school offering non-traditional educational pathways for students requiring alternative approaches to secondary education.
• StrongStart School-based, free drop-in early learning program for families with children from birth to five years of age.
• Before and After School Care (BASC) Licensed before- and after-school childcare programs operating at nine elementary schools with 288 licensed spaces (256 filled), serving working families from 7:30 a.m. before school until 5:30 p.m. after school.
• Indigenous Learning Programs supporting Indigenous students including Hul'q'umi'num language learning, cultural programming, and the annual Indigenous Graduation ceremony, delivered in partnership with local First Nations (Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, Stz'uminus), Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and Mid Island Métis Nation.
• District Life Skills Programs Specialized programs supporting students with diverse abilities to develop independent living and life skills within the district's inclusive education framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,650+ students served across 35 schools and programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, and Stz'uminus First NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous nations whose traditional territories the district resides within. The district maintains strong relationships supporting Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous education, and Hul'q'umi'num language learning programs.
• Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing Indigenous student support and cultural programming within the district.
• Mid Island Métis NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Métis students and families in the district.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enables NLPS students to earn dual credits through VIU campus programs. Students can take college and high school credits simultaneously, saving on tuition costs and transitioning smoothly to post-secondary education.
• CUPE 606 and Nanaimo District Teachers' AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint labor partnerships representing support staff and teachers, collaborating on student and staff wellness initiatives and policy development.
• Island IgniteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVancouver Island mentorship program focused on supporting young women. Partnered with Career Technical Centre to host Women's First Responder Day event for Grade 11-12 students.
• North Cedar Fire Rescue and Vancouver Island Fire DepartmentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFire departments across Vancouver Island provided women first responders for the Women's First Responder Day event, offering hands-on training and career exposure for students.
• Great Nanaimo Toy DrivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district provides gym space and equipment for the city's largest toy drive, helping families in need celebrate the holiday season. Partnership restarted in recent years through trustee advocacy.
• Inquiring Little Minds and Playtime Childcare SocietyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party childcare providers operating in district-built spaces at elementary schools through New Spaces Funding, offering infant-toddler care and early learning programs.
• Island HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth authority providing letters of support for potential 24-hour infant-toddler childcare centre near Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to support hospital shift workers.
• CUPE, Rotary Club, PRC-Saltillo, and Nanaimo School Administrators' AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership coalition that funded AAC (Augmented and Alternative Communication) communication boards for all school playgrounds, supporting inclusive communication for students.
• City of NanaimocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership hosting HealthAmongUs event at Harewood Centennial Park, with city providing venue and NLPS coordinating student participation and transportation.
• Country GrocerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal grocery retailer donates healthy snacks for HealthAmongUs elementary student wellness event.
• United Soccer and PacificSportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity sports organizations supporting HealthAmongUs event with activity stations and sports programming for elementary students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry: BC-based independent online and blended learning school for grades 8-12. Comparable as a K-12 distributed learning provider in BC, intersecting with NLPS's Island ConnectED program in the alternative and online learning segment.
• Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF): BC's French-language public school authority operating across the province. Comparable as a public K-12 provider with language-immersion focus, intersecting with NLPS's French Immersion programs at the new Davis Road dual-track school.

Broad incumbents

• Burnaby School District (SD41): Metro Vancouver public school district of comparable size to Nanaimo-Ladysmith. Comparable as a BC public K-12 district with similar program offerings including international student programs and French Immersion.
• Surrey Schools (SD36): One of the largest and fastest-growing BC school districts, serving the City of Surrey. Comparable as a BC public K-12 district though much larger in enrollment and operating in a rapidly growing suburban context.
• Vancouver School District (SD39): Largest BC public school district by enrollment, operating in urban Vancouver. Comparable as a BC public K-12 district with international student programs, though significantly larger and more urban than Nanaimo-Ladysmith.

Regional players

• Richmond School District (SD38): Metro Vancouver public school district serving the City of Richmond. Comparable as a BC public K-12 district with significant international student enrollment from Asian markets, though operating in a different geographic catchment.
• Delta School District (SD37): Metro Vancouver public school district of similar enrollment scale to NLPS. Comparable as a BC public K-12 district with similar program breadth, though operating in a more urbanized Lower Mainland catchment.

Direct peers

• Sooke School District (SD62): Western Vancouver Island public school district serving the West Shore communities. Directly comparable as a BC public K-12 district with similar catchment-based delivery model and provincial funding structure.
• Greater Victoria School District (SD61): Neighboring Vancouver Island public school district of similar scale serving the Greater Victoria area. Directly comparable as a BC public K-12 district with international student programs, French Immersion, and Indigenous education partnerships.
• Cowichan Valley School District (SD79): Vancouver Island public school district serving the Cowichan Valley region south of Nanaimo. Directly comparable in size and rural-urban mix, with similar Indigenous education partnerships and provincial funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsM0NRLUtV3AEg_tLzRS97Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Nanaimo-Ladysmith-School-District/259438914072312
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school-district-no-68-nanaimo-ladysmith-
• Instagraminstagram.com/nanaimoladysmith
• TikToktiktok.com/@nlps_ed_tok

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 No 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)