School Zones In New Brunswick: Where Do I Belong?

If you're wondering which school zone you live in, in New Brunswick, there are a few ways to find out. Firstly, it's important to note that there are seven school districts in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Each district has a number of assigned public schools, and your address will determine which school zone you fall under. You can use websites like GreatSchools or Niche, which allow you to search for your school district by address or ZIP code. Alternatively, if you're in Brunswick, you can use the Find My School website to determine whether your residence falls within the Brunswick Secondary School zone.

How to find your school zone

There are seven school districts in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. These districts were created by merging by language, Francophone and Anglophone. The designated neighbourhood government school, or 'local school', is generally the government school closest to the student's permanent residential address.

To find your school zone in New Brunswick, you can use the Find My School website. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Go to the website: enter findmyschool.vic.gov.au into your web browser.
• Enter your address: type your address under 'Enter your address to get started'.
• Select the school year: choose the school year for which you want to find the school zone.
• Select the school type: choose between primary, secondary, or specialist under 'School type'.
• View the results: the map will display your address, your designated local school, and the contact details for that school. The map will also show the five closest schools.

It's important to note that the Find My School website is specifically for government schools in Victoria, Australia. If you are looking for Catholic or independent schools in New Brunswick, Canada, you may need to refer to other websites or resources, such as the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria or Independent Schools Victoria.

Additionally, remember that school zones can change from time to time. While the Find My School website is the official source of school zone maps in Victoria, it's always a good idea to verify the information by contacting your relevant school district or referring to their website directly. School boundary maps may change from year to year, so staying informed ensures you have the most up-to-date information.

New Brunswick's school districts

New Brunswick has seven school districts across the province. These districts are a mix of Anglophone and Francophone administrative areas, with each district encompassing several schools.

The Anglophone West district was formed by merging the former districts 14, 17, and 18. Similarly, Anglophone South encompasses what were previously districts 6, 8, and 10. Anglophone East and Anglophone North were formerly known as districts 2, 15, and 16.

On the Francophone side, Francophone Sud was created by merging districts 1 and 11. Francophone Nord-Ouest, or district 3, remains unchanged in name, while Francophone Nord-Est was formed by merging districts 5 and 9.

To determine which school zone you reside in, you can utilise resources such as the Find My School website, where you can enter your address to identify your designated neighbourhood government school. This website is the official source of school zone maps in Victoria, and it is recommended to refer to it for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Additionally, you can refer to other platforms like Niche, which provide interactive maps and school boundary information to help you ascertain your specific school district and nearby schools.

Enrolling at a school outside your zone

Every school in the state of Victoria has a school zone. These school zones are determined by the distance from the school, with local schools typically being the nearest government school to a student's permanent residential address. In metropolitan areas such as Melbourne, the local school is usually the nearest in a straight line, whereas in other areas of Victoria, it is the nearest by the shortest practical route by road.

While your child has the right to enrol at their local school, you may choose to enrol them at a school outside your designated zone. In this case, there is no guarantee that your application will be successful. Schools can accept enrolments from parents who live outside their local enrolment area if places are available. However, if the school has limited spaces, applications are considered according to a 'priority order of placement', which gives priority to students living within the school zone.

If you are applying to enrol your child at a school outside your catchment area, there are usually separate forms to fill out. Check with the school to confirm the application requirements and cut-off dates. Your application will typically be assessed based on criteria such as whether any of your other children are already enrolled at the school, if your child has any special needs that would be better met at this school, or if there are medical or special interest reasons for your choice of school.

If your application to enrol your child at a school outside your zone is refused, your child will be considered for placement at your second and third choices of school. If no place is available, your child will be placed in your local school, or you may be placed on a waiting list. You can appeal the decision by writing a letter to the principal outlining your reasons. If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, the matter can be referred to a local principals' network or an independent body to make a final decision.

Proof of residence requirements

To determine which school zone you live in, you must supply proof of residence documentation. This is required by the Department of Education (DoE) and is necessary to enrol your child in a school within your designated school zone.

To find your local school and other government schools in your area, you can use the Find My School website. Here, you can enter your address to find your local school and view its contact details. You can also select the school year and type (primary, secondary, or specialist).

When enrolling your child in school, you must supply 100 points of proof of residence documentation. This can be done by providing a document showing the full name of the child's parent or carer and their address. This can include a council rates notice, lease agreement, or any of the following:

• Centrelink payment statement showing the home address
• Electoral roll statement
• Utility bill (phone, internet, electricity, cable, water/sewer, or home heating fuel invoice) from the most recent billing cycle
• Benefit confirmation issued by the Government of Canada (must be current year)
• New Brunswick Social Development Health Card
• Employment confirmation (pay stub, T4, or letter from the employer)
• Insurance policy or liability insurance card (physical card or policy received in the mail)

All documents must show the same address and parent/carer name as recorded on the enrolment form. The school may also make additional enquiries to verify the information provided, such as checking the electoral roll or with a real estate office.

It is important to note that if, after reasonable enquiries, the school principal does not accept that the provided address is the genuine residence of the student, enrolment may not be successful.

School zone maps

In the province of New Brunswick, Canada, there are seven school districts, each with its own set of schools and boundaries. These districts are a mix of Francophone and Anglophone districts, with the latter being further divided into West, South, East, and North regions. The specific schools within each district can be found on the official websites, providing detailed information for parents and students.

Now, when it comes to determining your school zone, it's essential to understand the concept of a 'local school'. In metropolitan areas like Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, or Geelong, the local school is typically the nearest government school in a straight line from the student's permanent address. However, in other areas of Victoria, it is usually defined as the nearest school by the shortest practical route, usually by road.

To make this process straightforward for parents and caregivers, the Victorian Government has developed the Find My School website. By entering your address and selecting the school year and type (primary, secondary, or specialist), you can easily determine your designated local school and its contact details. This website is the official source of school zone maps in Victoria and covers all government primary, secondary, and specialist schools. It's important to note that school zones can change from year to year due to various factors, so staying up to date through the official website is crucial.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that certain schools, such as specialist schools for students with disabilities, flexible learning schools, and selective entry schools, do not have specific school zones. Instead, they have designated transport areas or serve a broader area, and their enrolment criteria may differ from typical neighbourhood schools.

Frequently asked questions