Schools, UNBC and CNC

Prince George is northern BC’s education centre. It has a large public school district, a research university, and a college whose Prince George campus serves the whole region.

K–12: School District No. 57

School District No. 57 (Prince George) runs the public elementary and secondary schools in the city and surrounding rural areas, as well as in Mackenzie, McBride and Valemount.

Board office: 2100 Ferry Avenue · 250-561-6800 · generalinquiries@sd57.bc.ca Office hours when school is in session: weekdays, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Registering a child

1. Find your catchment school through SD57’s website, or call the board office.
2. Gather documents. Districts typically ask for the child’s birth certificate or proof of citizenship or immigration status, proof of your address in the catchment, and immunization records. Confirm the exact list with SD57.
3. Register with the school or district. Kindergarten registration for the following September usually opens in winter.
4. Ask about programs of choice (such as French immersion or Montessori) and bus transportation. These often have separate applications and deadlines.

Other options include independent (private) schools, a francophone school run by the provincial Conseil scolaire francophone, distributed learning and homeschooling.

Who runs the district

SD57 is governed by an elected Board of Education (trustees). Trustees are elected every four years in the same general local election as the mayor and council. The 2026 vote is Saturday, October 17. You vote for trustees on the same day, at the same places. See election 2026.

School facilities after hours

The City and SD57 share school gyms and fields for community recreation. Groups can book them through the City, but the City generally won’t book school gyms for private one-time events or parties. See parks and facility bookings.

During emergencies

Eighteen SD57 schools are designated Community Evacuation Assembly Points. Several schools are also voting places in the municipal election. See emergency services and alerts.

University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)

3333 University Way · 250-960-5555

UNBC is a research university with its main campus on Cranbrook Hill overlooking the city, plus regional campuses across the north. It offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in areas including health sciences, environmental and natural resource sciences, engineering, business, education, First Nations studies and more. The Northern Medical Program, delivered with UBC, trains physicians in Prince George.

UNBC’s campus is linked to city trails, including the UNBC Connector Trail System and Forests for the World.

College of New Caledonia (CNC)

3330 22nd Avenue · 250-562-2131

CNC is the community college for north-central BC. Prince George is its largest campus, and there are regional campuses in communities such as Quesnel, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Mackenzie and Fort St. James. Programs include:

• trades and apprenticeship training
• health sciences and nursing
• business, early childhood education and social services
• university transfer (start here, finish a degree elsewhere)
• upgrading, English language training and adult basic education

Paying for school

• StudentAid BC handles provincial and federal student loans and grants.
• Both UNBC and CNC run their own awards, bursaries and emergency funds. Ask their financial aid offices.
• WorkBC can sometimes fund training for eligible job seekers.

Getting there by bus

• Post-secondary students: eligible students get unlimited travel with a U-PASS included in their fees.
• High school students: a $55 30-day youth pass, or a $165 semester pass.
• Kids 12 and under: free.

See transit.

Libraries and study space

Beyond campus libraries, the Prince George Public Library offers free study rooms, homework help, computers and online learning resources. See libraries.

Related: moving to Prince George, election 2026.