Yes. Most private high schools in Vancouver follow the British Columbia (BC) curriculum if they are certified by the BC Ministry of Education.

At Columbia Academy in Vancouver, BC, our Grades 8–12 program follows the official BC curriculum. Students study the required subjects set by the province and graduate with the BC Dogwood Diploma, which is recognized by universities in Canada and around the world.

If you would like to learn more about our program, you can explore our Grades 8–12 Senior School program.

What Is the BC Curriculum?

The BC curriculum is the official education framework used in schools across British Columbia. It ensures students learn key academic subjects while developing critical thinking and life skills.

At Columbia Academy, students study core subjects such as:

• English Language Arts

• Mathematics

• Science

• Social Studies

• Physical and Health Education

• Career Education

• Arts Education

• Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies

These subjects help students build the academic foundation needed for university and future careers.

High School Program at Columbia Academy (Grades 8–12)

Columbia Academy offers a Grades 8–12 high school program located in downtown Vancouver.

📍 Coal Harbour Campus
602 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC
Near Waterfront SkyTrain Station

Our Middle School program (Grades 8–9) focuses on building strong academic habits, critical thinking skills, and student confidence.

The Senior High School program (Grades 10–12) prepares students to complete BC graduation requirements and apply to competitive universities.

Students also benefit from the school’s convenient downtown location. Families who rely on public transit can learn more in our article on private high schools near SkyTrain in downtown Vancouver.

Required Courses in the BC High School Program

To graduate and receive the Dogwood Diploma, students must complete required courses.

Grade 10 Courses

• English 10

• Mathematics 10

• Social Studies 10

• Science 10

• Physical and Health Education 10

• Career Life Education 10

• Arts and Applied Skills 10

Grade 11 Courses

• English Language Arts 11

• Social Studies 11

• Pre-Calculus 11

• Physics 11

• Chemistry 11

• Anatomy and Physiology 11

Grade 12 Courses

• English Studies 12

• Pre-Calculus 12

• Career Life Connections 12

• Personal Awareness 12

Students may also choose elective courses such as:

• Calculus

• Economics

• Human Geography

• World History

• Foreign Languages

Do Students Receive the BC Dogwood Diploma?

Yes.

Students who complete the BC graduation requirements receive the BC Dogwood Diploma, the official high school diploma in British Columbia.

This diploma is recognized by universities in:

• Canada

• United States

• United Kingdom

• Australia

• Many other countries

Because the BC curriculum meets international academic standards, students can apply to universities worldwide.

Advanced Programs Beyond the BC Curriculum

In addition to the BC curriculum, Columbia Academy offers advanced academic opportunities.

These include:

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses

• Academic competitions

• Enrichment programs

• After-school tutoring

Columbia Academy is an official AP-certified school and AP testing centre.

Students can take AP courses such as:

• AP Calculus

• AP Statistics

• AP Psychology

• AP Chemistry

• AP World History

• AP Macroeconomics

• AP Microeconomics

These courses help students challenge themselves academically and prepare for competitive universities.

Small Class Sizes and Personalized Support

One key advantage of Columbia Academy is our small class sizes.

Each class typically has 10–15 students.

This allows teachers to:

• Provide individualized attention

• Monitor academic progress closely

• Support students preparing for university

Students also receive after-school tutoring at no additional cost when they need extra help.

University Outcomes at Columbia Academy

Columbia Academy students achieve strong university results.

• 100% of graduates receive university offers

• 90% are accepted into QS Top 50 universities worldwide

Our graduates have been accepted into leading universities such as:

Canada

• University of Toronto

• University of British Columbia

• McGill University

• McMaster University

• Queen’s University

• University of Waterloo

• Simon Fraser University

United States

• UC Berkeley

• UCLA

• New York University (NYU)

United Kingdom

• London School of Economics

• University College London

• King’s College London

One of our 2026 graduates, Tom Xie, received a $100,000 scholarship from the University of Toronto.

You can also learn more about schools with strong outcomes in our article on private high schools in Vancouver with high university acceptance rates.

Student Experiences at Columbia Academy

Many students share that the supportive environment at Columbia Academy helped them grow academically and personally while preparing for university.

Raha P.

Student Council President • Principal Scholarship Recipient • Peer Tutor Leader

Raha received offers from several top universities, including:

• University of Toronto (UTSC) – Co-op Psychological and Health Sciences ($100,000 scholarship)

• University of Toronto (UTSG) – Life Sciences

• University of Toronto (UTM) – Life Science ($3,000 scholarship)

• University of British Columbia – Science

• University of California, Davis – Genetics and Genomics

• University of California, San Diego – Microbiology

Raha shared:

“Thank you to Columbia Academy for giving me the opportunity to create unforgettable memories and meet incredible people during my education.
Since coming to CA, I have grown into a more responsible and determined person. I learned that life is more than just studying — it is important to maintain a healthy balance between academics and personal growth.”

Aaron G.

Student Council President

Aaron received offers from leading universities including:

• University of California, Los Angeles – Biology

• University of California, Berkeley – Biology

• University College London

• University of Toronto (UTSG) – Life Science ($19,000 scholarship)

• University of Toronto (UTM) – Life Science

• University of Toronto (UTSC) – Life Science

• University of California, Irvine – Biology

• University of California, Riverside – Biology

Aaron shared:

“I want to thank the teachers and staff at Columbia Academy for everything they have done for me. I am truly grateful for the opportunities and support I received while working toward my dream university.”

What Parents Often Misunderstand About the BC Curriculum

Some parents believe private schools use completely different curricula.

In reality, most BC-certified private schools follow the same provincial curriculum as public schools.

The difference is often how the curriculum is delivered, including:

• Smaller class sizes

• Structured academic support

• Additional enrichment programs

• Personalized university planning

Advice for Parents Choosing a Private High School in Vancouver

When comparing schools, parents should consider:

• Is the school certified by the BC Ministry of Education?

• Do students graduate with the Dogwood Diploma?

• What are the university outcomes?

• What is the class size?

• What academic support is available?

These factors help families choose the best learning environment for their child.

Final Thoughts

Private high schools in Vancouver often follow the BC curriculum if they are certified by the BC Ministry of Education.

At Columbia Academy, students complete the provincial curriculum, graduate with the BC Dogwood Diploma, and receive personalized academic support to prepare for top universities worldwide.

About the Author

This article was written by the admissions team at Columbia Academy, an independent school in Vancouver accredited by the BC Ministry of Education.

Our team works closely with families applying to the Grades 8–12 program, helping students understand the BC curriculum and prepare for university admissions.

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