New private school to open in fall
Summerland’s Unisus International School aims to join International Baccalaureate program
Unisus International School in Summerland is now a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.
The new private school opens in September with classes from junior kindergarten to Grade 6.
“The IB program is the best of modern educational theory and practice. The approach to teaching and learning puts students in the centre to engage them is what makes the program unique,” said operations director Cindy Leung.
Leung co-founded Vancouver’s Stratford Hall IB World School 19 years ago.
The IB program aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
“As a resident of the South Okanagan, I am excited to see a school (Unisus) begin its life with an intention to join this great group of schools. A school that starts with this high goal is from the start establishing itself as a school for the 21st century,” said Jim McConnell.
McConnell, an adviser to Unisus, was the founding head of Stratford Hall and continues to consult for educational institutions around the world.
The IB program can be an important factor in parents’ decision to enrol their children at a particular school.
“We liked the school’s (Unisus) goals, curriculum and approach to teaching. We also found the International Baccalaureate particularly appealing,” said Johanna Vien.
Vien’s son Kevin will be entering Grade 2 this September and her daughter, Leah, kindergarten.
“At Unisus, we use an inquiry-based learning method which teaches students how to formulate meaningful questions and how to find the best answers,” Leung said.
This learning methods helps students to connect their learning to their own lives, and to the world. They learn how to think critically and creatively, and how to grow and learn from mistakes, Leung explained.
On completion of the dormitory, Unisus will be the only international school in Western Canada offering junior kindergarten to Grade 12 programs and weekly and full-time boarding.
Information sessions will be presented Aug. 11, 16 and 18 in Penticton, Summerland and West Kelowna. RSVP at www.unisus.ca.
Limited spaces are still available in the 2018-2019 academic year for students from junior kindergarten to Grade 6.
For more information or to arrange a school tour, email info@unisus.ca or call 250-404-3232.