When choosing a school in Greater Vancouver, many parents naturally turn to the Fraser Institute rankings as an initial guide.

But aside from standardized rankings, one of the most revealing indicators of a school’s true academic environment is the university admissions results—especially when it comes to top U.S. universities.

Why UC Admissions Matter

The University of California (UC) system includes 9 highly regarded campuses. Among them, UCLA and UC Berkeley consistently rank as the top 2 public universities in the U.S. and are regularly listed in the Top 20 national universities overall.

As a result, UC admissions are often viewed as a leading indicator for U.S. college admissions success.

Greater Vancouver Public High Schools 2024 UC Applications & Offers

Here’s an overview of how some leading public high schools in Greater Vancouver performed with UC applications for Fall 2024:

  • Lord Byng Secondary
    38 applicants → 26 offers → ~70% admission rate
    ➜ The strongest public high school in the region for U.S. college admissions.

  • Semiahmoo Secondary (South Surrey)
    31 applicants → 14 offers → ~50% admission rate
    ➜ A long-time favorite among Chinese families.

  • University Hill Secondary
    24 applicants → 15 offers → Over 60% admission rate

  • Point Grey / Magee / Sentinel / Rockridge Secondary Schools
    All achieved ~50% admission rates

  • Steveston-London Secondary (Richmond)
    Over 60% admission rate

Overall:
Top public schools in Greater Vancouver continue to deliver excellent outcomes for students targeting competitive U.S. universities.

Competing with Private School Students: Yes, It’s Possible

Private schools in Greater Vancouver are well-known for their strong academic environments, diverse extracurricular offerings, and close school-home relationships—making them attractive pathways to elite colleges.

However, public school students can also shine when given the right guidance, access to key resources, and a personalized strategy. With the right preparation, they are fully capable of competing on an equal footing with private school peers in the race for elite college offers.

How We Help Students Succeed

At Indigo Education, we specialize in helping students gain admission to Top 20 U.S. universities and leading Canadian institutions.

With 10+ years of experience, we provide personalized education solutions and 1-on-1 mentoring for students in Grades 7-12.

✅ Our students consistently receive offers from Top 20 U.S. universities
✅ We maintain deep partnerships with leading Canadian universities
✅ We offer comprehensive services covering academic planning, test prep, extracurricular strategy, and full application support

If your child is aiming for a top university or considering studying in Canada, contact us today to start building their success story!