Yes — certified private elementary schools follow the BC curriculum, the same one taught in public schools. In British Columbia, private schools are called independent schools, and to be certified by the Ministry of Education and Child Care they must teach the provincial curriculum and meet provincial standards. So your child learns the same core skills, whether at a public or a certified private school.
The difference isn’t what they learn — it’s often how it’s taught. Here’s what that means.
What Is the BC Curriculum?
The BC curriculum is the province’s official plan for what children should learn in each grade, from kindergarten to Grade 12. It covers core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, and it’s built around big ideas and skills, not just facts.
You can explore the province’s BC curriculum for K–7 to see exactly what children are expected to learn at each grade level. It’s public, so any parent can read it.
Do Certified Private Schools Have to Follow It?
Yes. This is the key point many parents miss. In BC, a certified independent school is required to teach the provincial curriculum. The province explains how independent schools in BC are inspected and must meet the same learning standards to keep their certification.
That means a certified private elementary school is not “off doing its own thing.” It teaches the same core learning goals as any public school — and gets inspected to prove it.
There’s one thing to check as a parent: make sure a private school is certified. A small number of schools operate without certification. Always confirm a school’s status before you enroll.
Same Curriculum, Different Experience
If the curriculum is the same, why choose a private school at all? Because how the curriculum is delivered can differ a lot.
A certified private school teaches the same required learning goals — then often adds to them and delivers them differently:
| The Requirement | What a Private School May Add | |
|---|---|---|
| Core subjects | BC curriculum (required) | Smaller classes, more individual attention |
| Languages | Some required | French and Chinese from kindergarten |
| Music & arts | Part of curriculum | 3–4 instruments, choir, dance |
| Class size | Set by district | Often much smaller |
| Extras | Varies | Daily reading, homework habits, yoga, field trips |
So your child gets the full BC curriculum plus whatever the school chooses to build on top of it.
How Columbia Academy Follows — and Builds On — the BC Curriculum
Columbia Academy is a private K–12 school in downtown Vancouver, fully bonded and certified by the BC Ministry of Education. That certification means our K–7 program at the Yaletown Campus (792 Beatty Street) teaches the complete BC curriculum — the same core learning every BC child receives.
Then we build on it:
- Smaller classes, so teachers can give each child real attention and catch gaps early
- French and Chinese from kindergarten, beyond the basic language requirement
- Music on 3–4 instruments, plus choir, dance, and art
- Daily reading time and homework routines that strengthen the core subjects
- ESL support so children still learning English can keep up with the curriculum
- Weekly field trips to places like Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium that bring lessons to life
- Yoga and meditation to help children focus on their learning
If you’re weighing your options, our honest comparison of private vs public school in Vancouver looks at how the same curriculum can feel different in each setting. And if your child feels lost in a large class, our post on the signs a child is being overlooked at school may help.
FAQ: Private Schools and the BC Curriculum
Do private schools in BC teach the same curriculum as public schools?
Yes. Certified independent schools are required to teach the provincial BC curriculum, the same one used in public schools. They’re inspected to make sure they meet the standard.
Are private elementary schools in Vancouver regulated?
Yes. Certified private schools are inspected by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care and must meet provincial standards for curriculum, teachers, and safety to keep their certification.
Will my child learn the same things at a private school?
Yes, they’ll learn the same core BC curriculum. Many private schools also add extras like additional languages, music, and smaller classes on top of the required learning.
How do I know if a private school is certified?
Ask the school directly, and check that it’s listed as a certified independent school with the BC Ministry of Education. Always confirm certification before enrolling.
Final Answer: Yes — the Same Curriculum, Often More
Certified private elementary schools follow the BC curriculum — the exact same core learning as public schools, backed by provincial inspection. The real difference is in delivery: smaller classes, added languages and music, and a richer daily routine built on top of the required curriculum. Just be sure any school you consider is certified.
One honest note: the certified private schools with small classes tend to fill early, since families rarely leave once their child is settled. If this is the path you want, it’s worth applying ahead.
Want to see the BC curriculum in action? Explore our K–7 program at Columbia Academy or call 778-379-6811 to visit our Yaletown Campus — we’ll show you how we teach the provincial curriculum and everything we add to it.
