Salt Spring Island is well served by School District 64 (Gulf Islands), with four public elementary schools (K–7) spread across the island — from Ganges to Fulford — and a full secondary school serving Grades 8–12, which also offers an alternate learning program. A complete education from kindergarten to graduation, all without leaving the island.
SD64 GO K -12
Strong Starts ELF
Salt Spring Elementary K - 7
Fernwood Elementary K - 7
Fulford Community K - 7
Gulf Island Secondary School 8 - 12
For families seeking something beyond the traditional classroom, Salt Spring Island delivers. The island has a long tradition of alternative and nature-based education, with options ranging from independent Waldorf-inspired schools and outdoor learning programs to cooperative learning communities and holistic education models.
Salt Spring Nature Academy
Heartwood Learning Community
Wayfinders
WOLF
Wildhaven
Cedar Roots Learning Community
Salt Spring Island supports families from the very start, with a range of licensed daycares, preschools, and early learning programs to suit every family's needs. From play-based and nature-inspired settings to structured early childhood education, little ones here get a warm and nurturing start — and so do their families.
Salt Spring Early Learning Centre
Little Rainbows Daycare
Little Red Schoolhouse
Salt Spring Coop Preschool
Tree Frog Day Care
Little Blue Early Learning Centre
Tara Brown Family Daycare
Morning Glory Daycare
129 McPhillips Avenue • 250-537-4666 • @saltspringlibrary
More than just books, the Salt Spring Island Public Library is a true community hub — offering programs, events, workshops, and a welcoming space for residents and visitors of all ages. From story time and youth workshops to author talks and digital resources, it punches well above its weight for a small island library. A cornerstone of island life.
135 Crofton Road • 250-538-4800 • islandhealth.ca
Lady Minto Gulf Islands Hospital provides acute care services including 24-hour emergency services, diagnostic services, intensive care, convalescent care, rehabilitation, and specialty outpatient clinics — serving Salt Spring Island and the outer Gulf Islands. A full-service community hospital right on island — one of the many reasons Salt Spring is such a complete place to call home.
120 Park Drive, Ganges • 250-537-9938 • saltspringcommunityservices.ca
Family Place is a free resource and drop-in program centrally located in Ganges, offering a safe and well-equipped indoor and outdoor play area, drop-in and scheduled programs, and a range of resources for parents and caregivers of children under six. Toy library, clothing exchange, family counselling, and genuine community connection — a warm and welcoming hub for island families.
137 Crofton Road • 250-538-4864
Salt Spring Island is one of the rare small communities fortunate enough to have its own dedicated midwifery practice. Salt Spring Midwives offers full-scope, client-centred midwifery care to expectant families on island — from prenatal through to postpartum — providing a deeply personal and supported birth experience right here at home. Covered by BC MSP.
262 Rainbow Road • 250-537-1402
Salt Spring Island Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture (PARC) offers a wide range of programs and facilities for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities — from swimming lessons and fitness classes to arts programs, sports leagues, and community events. Managing everything from Portlock Park and the Rainbow Recreation Centre to community parks and trails, PARC is the backbone of active island life.
124 Rainbow Road • 250-538-4250
The Salt Spring Island Multi-Space — known as SIMS — transformed the former middle school into a true community centre, now home to a wonderfully diverse mix of organizations representing music, dance, visual arts, recreation, social services and more. Offering fitness classes, martial arts, gym sports, roller skating, camps, and facility rentals — SIMS has something for everyone. A beloved community hub in the heart of the island.
349 Rainbow Road • 250-537-1200
Salt Spring Island Community Services has been dedicated to strengthening people, families, and communities of Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands since 1975. From child and youth programs, Family Place, and seniors support to housing, food security, mental health, addiction counselling, and the recycling depot — they are the quiet backbone of community care on Salt Spring. A registered charity that truly looks after its own.
134 McPhillips Avenue • 250-537-9932 • @coreinn_youth_programs
The Core Inn is a heritage building in downtown Ganges operated as a youth and outreach centre, offering programs, drop-in space, counselling, and mental health support for youth and young adults on Salt Spring Island. A welcoming, non-judgmental space where island youth can connect, get support, and just hang out. Part of Salt Spring Island Community Services.
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125B-100 Rainbow Road • 250-537-1336 • @thecircle.education
The Circle Education promotes healthy relationships to foster communities free of violence, bullying, discrimination, assault and abuse — delivering innovative, evidence-based social-emotional education programs for children, youth, and adults. Programs run in-school from Grades 3–8, as well as after-school, camps, and workshops throughout the year. A vital and beloved part of Salt Spring Island's community fabric.
160 Fulford-Ganges Road • 250-538-4880
The Salt Spring Island Health Unit provides public health nursing services including prenatal and early years support, postpartum care, breastfeeding assistance, child health clinics, immunizations, and school-age health programs including vision, hearing, speech, and dental screening. An essential Island Health service operating right in the community — no referral required for many programs.
434 Baker Road • @wildingfoundation
The Wilding Foundation is a federally registered Canadian charity based on Salt Spring Island, founded in 2021 and fully funded by the philanthropic efforts of Ethan Wilding. Every program they fund shares a common thread: making creative technology and artistic opportunity accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or financial means — from the Library FabLab and youth STEAM programs to arts grants and school initiatives. A quiet but powerful force for good on Salt Spring Island.
152 McPhillips Avenue • 250-537-5551
Gulf Islands Families Together Society (GIFTS) is a charitable non-profit organization that supports people with diverse abilities by recognizing and facilitating their right to employment, social, recreational, educational, and housing access in their community. Focused on one-to-one support and person-centred inclusion, GIFTS ensures participants are supported to participate in activities of their own choosing. A vital and compassionate part of Salt Spring's community fabric.
@thediversevillage
The Diverse Village supports families facing the challenges of raising neurodivergent children in the Gulf Islands — providing resources, therapeutic service connections, financial assistance information, educational support, and community-based activities that celebrate neurodiversity. Founded by a Salt Spring Island parent, it has grown into a warm and vital hub of inclusion, advocacy, and community connection for island families.
346 Lower Ganges Road • 250-931-1302 • ccrr@beaconcs.ca
The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) program makes it easier for families to find and access responsive, inclusive, and high quality licensed childcare — providing information, support, resources, and referral services to parents and childcare providers. The Salt Spring location also offers a Lending Library of toys and resources, with delivery service available on island. A free and invaluable resource for island families navigating childcare options.
PO Box 737, Ganges • 250-931-3190 • @raffifoundation
Founded by beloved children's entertainer Raffi Cavoukian and based right here on Salt Spring Island, the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring is a non-profit dedicated to advancing Child Honouring as a universal ethic and organizing principle for societal transformation — stressing the primacy of early years as key to a sustainable and compassionate world. A remarkable and globally recognized organization with its heart firmly rooted on Salt Spring.
