Make Your Mark
ground in the fields of science, technology and most recently, work experience.
The K-12 school—which takes day students as well as boarders—was the first girls’ school in Canada to offer a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum.
And now, it is again trailblazing with a new program that integrates realworld work experience into career classes starting in Grade 10.
By the time they finish Grade 12, students will have 100 hours of work experience to add to their resumés and university application packages.
“We believe it is important for our students to have practical experience of the workplace to complement what they are learning in the classroom,” says Head of School Cathy Thornicroft.
Southridge School
Developing students with “strong minds and good hearts” is the foundation of Southridge School’s philosophy.
Located in South Surrey, the co-ed day school has a K-12 curriculum that places as much value on goodness as it does on knowledge.
“We are a small school, where our students are known and cared for,” says Head of School Drew Stephens. “Trust among our students, and across our entire school community, is evident by the fact that we have no locks on our lockers. In our classrooms, we embrace inquiry and discussion-based learning.”
The senior school stands out as the only school in Canada with a fully implemented Harkness philosophy, which is a discussionbased collaborative approach to learning.
Stratford Hall School
Surrounded by the diverse and vibrant community of East Vancouver, Stratford Hall offers an International Baccalaureate program for students in kindergarten
through Grade 12.
Founded in 1999, the co-ed day school aims to equip students with the academic and life skills required for life after graduation.
“The urban community that surrounds us helps our students develop into well rounded, empathetic citizens; people with values, sensitivities and intellectual tools that will enable them to thrive and lead in our increasingly interconnected world,” says Head of School Dean Croy.
The school, which occupies two city blocks at the south end of Commercial Drive, features a unique IDEA Lab, where students of all ages gather to create, invent and tinker.
West Point Grey Academy
Overlooking English Bay, the North Shore Mountains and Vancouver’s downtown core, West Point Grey Academy has an outward-looking view of the world, which is fitting for a school with a global focus.
Students in the junior school ( junior kindergarten to Grade 7) take Mandarin or Spanish, in addition to French, while students in the senior school ( grades 8 through 12) have the opportunity to apply for the school’s Global Studies Program, which has close ties to UBC’S Liu Institute for Global Issues.
The school, founded in 1996, is also a member of the Global Online Academy, a non-profit organization that facilitates online courses with peers and teachers from other member schools around the world.
Urban Academy
Major changes are underway at Urban Academy, a co-ed kindergarten through Grade 12 day school in New Westminster.
The growing school, founded in 2001, will be moving into a new, purpose-built facility in January. The building will allow for more than double the number of students currently enrolled and will house modern science labs, art spaces, a community kitchen and a full-sized
gymnasium. The centrally located campus attracts students from several surrounding municipalities, including Coquitlam, Vancouver and Surrey.
The school staff like to say that the best part is that at Urban Academy, a child receives a world-class education without pretense, flash or fluff.
Our Kids Media
For parents wanting a one-stop experience in the hunt for information on B.C.’S independent schools, Our Kids Media has been the trusted source for 20 years.
The Canada-wide organization offers annual expos in addition to its comprehensive website, which allows families to research and compare schools within one site.
In addition to listing school locations, tuition estimates and school size, Ourkids.net offers editor reviews of the top schools as well as parent and student reviews.
The Make It craft show doesn't take place until December, but its founder, Vancouver-based Jenna Herbut, has written a book that comes out this month. Make It Happen: The Creative Entrepreneur's Guide to Transforming Your Dreams Into Reality includes pointers, case studies and exercises for turning an idea into a business. Page Two Books 227 pages, paperback, $19.95