When you tour a private elementary school in Vancouver, the questions you ask matter just as much as what you see. The right questions help you understand whether a school truly fits your child — not just whether it looks good on a brochure. At Columbia Academy’s Yaletown K–7 campus, we welcome families to ask us everything. Honest answers build trust, and trust is how you make a decision you feel confident about for years to come.
This guide gives you a complete list of questions to bring to any private elementary school tour in Vancouver — organised by topic so nothing gets missed.
Why Your Questions Matter More Than the Tour Itself
A school tour is designed to impress you. The classrooms will be tidy. The teachers will be welcoming. The brochure will be polished.
Your questions cut through all of that.
When you ask specific, practical questions, you find out what the school is actually like on a regular Tuesday morning — not just on a tour day. You find out whether the values on the wall match what happens in the classroom. You find out whether this school can genuinely support your child.
Go into every tour prepared. The schools that welcome hard questions are usually the ones worth considering.
Questions About Class Size and Teaching Style
Class size is one of the most important factors in your child’s day-to-day experience. It determines how much individual attention they receive, how quickly a teacher notices when they are struggling, and how safe they feel asking questions.
Ask these questions at every school you visit:
- How many students are in a typical class?
- Does class size stay consistent from kindergarten through Grade 7?
- What happens when a student is struggling in a subject?
- How does the teacher track each child’s progress individually?
- What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
At Columbia Academy, classes have 12 to 16 students. That is roughly half the size of a typical Vancouver public school class. Teachers know every student by name — and parents regularly tell us that this is the single biggest difference they notice in their child’s confidence and engagement.
For a detailed comparison of what different class sizes mean for your child’s learning, read our guide on what the average class size is at private elementary schools in Vancouver.
Questions About the Academic Program
The academic program is what your child will spend most of their time doing. Do not assume all private schools offer the same curriculum or the same depth of instruction.
Ask these questions about academics:
- Does the school follow the BC curriculum?
- What subjects are taught, and how much time is given to each?
- Are there enrichment programs beyond the standard curriculum?
- How is homework structured — and how much is expected each night?
- How does the school approach literacy and numeracy in the early grades?
As an independent school certified by the BC Ministry of Education, Columbia Academy follows the provincial curriculum — and goes beyond it. From kindergarten, students build daily reading and homework habits that develop independent learning skills long before Grade 7.
Questions About Language Programs
Language instruction is a major differentiator between private elementary schools in Vancouver. The earlier a child is exposed to a second language, the more naturally they develop fluency.
Ask every school you visit:
- What languages does the school teach?
- At what grade does language instruction begin?
- How many hours per week does each language receive?
- Are language classes taught by native speakers or subject specialists?
- Is the language program integrated into the school day or delivered as a separate class?
At Columbia Academy, students begin learning both French and Chinese from kindergarten. Most Vancouver schools begin second-language instruction in Grade 4 or 5. Starting earlier — as part of the core school day, not as an add-on — makes a significant difference in how naturally children absorb and use language throughout their education.
Questions About Music, Arts, and Enrichment
Many schools list music or arts programs in their brochure. What matters is whether these are genuine, daily parts of the curriculum — or occasional extras that disappear when budgets are tight.
Ask:
- Is music a core subject or an optional program?
- How often do students have music or arts instruction each week?
- What instruments do students learn, and at what age?
- Are there performance opportunities during the school year?
- How does the school approach creative learning beyond the core subjects?
At Columbia Academy, every student learns to play three musical instruments starting in kindergarten. Music is not a weekly elective — it is woven into the school day as a core subject. Research consistently links early music education to stronger literacy, memory, and focus — skills that benefit your child in every other subject.
Questions About Wellness and Outdoor Learning
A child who feels well — physically and emotionally — learns better. Ask schools how they support the whole child, not just the academic one.
Ask these questions:
- How often do students go outside for structured learning?
- Does the school have a dedicated wellness or mindfulness program?
- How does the school handle emotional or social challenges between students?
- What does physical education look like across the grades?
- How does the school support a child who is feeling anxious or overwhelmed?
The BC Early Learning Framework recognises outdoor and place-based learning as a core component of healthy child development. At Columbia Academy, students have weekly outdoor learning sessions as a scheduled part of their program. The school also includes daily mindfulness, meditation, and yoga — giving students practical tools to manage attention, emotions, and stress from kindergarten onward.
Questions About ESL Support and Multilingual Families
Vancouver is one of the most multilingual cities in Canada. Many families touring private elementary schools are raising children in two or more languages — or have recently arrived in Canada and need ESL support for their child.
Ask schools directly:
- What ESL support is available, and from what grade?
- Is ESL support delivered in a pull-out model or integrated into the classroom?
- Are there staff who speak languages other than English?
- How does the school communicate with parents whose first language is not English?
- Has the school supported families who are new to Canada?
Columbia Academy welcomes local Vancouver families and international students alike. ESL support is available from kindergarten — and the school’s bilingual program in French and Chinese means that multilingual families often find the environment naturally familiar and supportive.
Questions About Admissions and Availability
Once you have found a school you love, the last thing you want to discover is that the application window has already closed. Ask admissions questions early — before you get attached.
Ask:
- How many kindergarten spots are available this year?
- When does the application process open and close?
- Is there currently a waitlist?
- What does the admissions process involve — forms, interviews, assessments?
- When will families be notified of an offer?
Columbia Academy has a limited number of K–7 places each year. Spots at the Yaletown campus fill up quickly — often by January or February for September entry. If you are seriously considering the school, the right time to apply is immediately after your tour — not in the spring when the class is already full.
For a full explanation of what the admissions process involves and what to prepare, read our complete guide to private elementary school admissions in Vancouver.
Questions About Parent Involvement and Communication
Your relationship with the school does not end when you drop your child off in the morning. Good private schools treat parents as genuine partners in their child’s education.
Ask:
- How does the school communicate with parents about a child’s academic progress?
- Are there formal parent-teacher meetings, and how often?
- What opportunities exist for parents to be involved in school life?
- How does the school handle concerns raised by parents?
- Is there an active parent community?
Strong parent involvement is a proven factor in children’s academic outcomes. The Canadian Education Association consistently finds that schools with high levels of parent engagement produce stronger student results — especially in the primary years.
A Quick-Reference Tour Checklist
Use this table to stay organised during your visit:
| Topic | Key question to ask |
|---|---|
| Class size | How many students per class? |
| Curriculum | Do you go beyond the BC curriculum? |
| Languages | When do French and Chinese start? |
| Music | Is music core or optional? |
| Wellness | How often is outdoor learning scheduled? |
| ESL | What ESL support is available from kindergarten? |
| Admissions | How many spots are left for this September? |
| Communication | How do you keep parents informed? |
| Homework | What is the daily homework expectation? |
| Tour follow-up | When can we expect to hear back after applying? |
What Columbia Academy Families Often Say After Their Tour
Families who visit Columbia Academy’s Yaletown campus at 792 Beatty Street, downtown Vancouver, consistently mention the same things after their tour:
- The classrooms feel calm and focused
- The teachers already know the students’ names and personalities
- The school day feels rich — languages, music, mindfulness, outdoor time — without feeling rushed
- The admissions team gives honest answers, including when seats are limited
That last point matters. A school that tells you the truth during a tour is a school you can trust with your child.
To learn more about the full K–7 program before booking your visit, explore the Columbia Academy Junior School K–7 overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask on a private elementary school tour in Vancouver? Ask about class sizes, language programs, music instruction, outdoor learning, ESL support, homework expectations, and how the school communicates with parents. Also ask directly about available spots and the application deadline — knowing this early saves you from missing your window.
How do I know if a private elementary school is right for my child in Vancouver? A school is a good fit when its daily program matches your child’s learning style, the class size allows for individual attention, and the school’s values align with your family’s. Visiting in person and asking specific questions — rather than relying on a website — is the most reliable way to find out.
What makes a good question to ask on an elementary school tour? The best tour questions are specific and practical. Instead of “Do you have a good music program?”, ask “How many instruments do students learn, and from which grade?” Specific questions get honest, detailed answers — and reveal whether the school’s claims match its daily reality.
How do I compare private elementary schools in Vancouver after touring several? Use the same list of questions at every school and compare the answers side by side. Pay attention to how confident and specific the answers are — vague responses often indicate programs that are less developed than they appear. Also trust your instinct about how the school felt when you walked in.
How do I apply to a private elementary school in Vancouver after a tour? Contact the admissions office directly after your visit. At Columbia Academy, the admissions team will walk you through the application form, next steps, and current availability. Apply as soon as you are ready — seats are limited and awarded to families who apply early.
Final Answer — Questions to Ask When Touring a Private Elementary School in Vancouver
The most important questions to ask when touring a private elementary school in Vancouver cover six areas: class sizes, the academic program, language instruction, music and enrichment, wellness and outdoor learning, and admissions availability. Schools that answer these questions with confidence and specificity — rather than vague assurances — are the ones that deliver on their promises every day.
At Columbia Academy’s Yaletown campus, we welcome all of these questions because we have clear, honest answers to every one of them. Small classes. French and Chinese from kindergarten. Three instruments from kindergarten. Weekly outdoor learning. Daily mindfulness. Limited seats that fill up quickly every year.
If you are ready to see it for yourself, book a tour at 792 Beatty Street and ask us everything.
Columbia Academy is a BC Ministry of Education–certified private K–12 school. The K–7 campus is at 792 Beatty Street, Yaletown, Vancouver BC. The Grades 8–12 campus is at 602 West Hastings Street, Coal Harbour, Vancouver BC.
For admissions enquiries and to book a school tour, please contact the admissions office directly
