K–7 · Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions
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About the School
An independent Kindergarten to Grade 7 school at 792 Beatty Street in Yaletown, downtown Vancouver, certified by the BC Ministry of Education. It is the elementary campus of Columbia Academy, a K–12 school whose high school (Grades 8–12) is in Coal Harbour.
Columbia Academy Elementary is the only independent elementary school in downtown Vancouver.
No. Columbia Academy is not affiliated with any religion. Students take three short meditation breaks a day (10, 5 and 10 minutes) for wellbeing and focus, and teachers receive meditation training every year.
Yes. Grade 7 students move up directly to Grade 8 at Columbia Academy High School, with no new application, interview or test.
See After Grade 7.
No more than 15 students per class.
The BC Ministry of Education curriculum, with daily reading and regular homework. Our library has 3,000–4,000 books, and children take one home every day; homework support runs every morning from 8:00 to 8:45. Students also learn the recorder, ukulele and guitar, and piano is offered too. Academic Development
Language
Yes. All classes are taught in English, and about 90% of our current students come from local families who live and work in downtown Vancouver.
Yes. Mandarin is an optional class from Kindergarten, free of charge. It runs after school from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. at two levels: beginner (Mondays) and advanced (Wednesdays). Language & English Support
Yes. All students learn French from Kindergarten as part of the regular program.
Yes. Children don't need to speak English to apply. Free ESL support runs every morning from 8:00 to 8:45, and students who need more can ask for extra help from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Tuition and Fees
For 2026–27:
- Canadian students: $20,000 per school year (citizens and permanent residents; families with a work permit pay the same rate)
- International students (study permit holders): $24,000 a year, valid until December 31, 2028
| Application fee (one-time, non-refundable) | $200 Canadian, $300 international |
|---|---|
| Activity and stationery fee | $1,000 a year |
| Uniforms (Cambridge Uniforms) | About $400–500 |
| Hot lunch | Served every day, charged separately |
| After-school care (Kindergarten to Grade 3) | $100 a month |
There are no other fees (field trips are not charged extra) and no donation.
Yes. Tuition can be paid in instalments by arrangement with the Admissions Office.
Yes. A hot lunch is served every day, charged separately. Ask the Admissions Office for the price.
There is a sibling discount; ask the Admissions Office for details. Neither donations nor parent volunteering are required.
After-School Care and the School Day
Yes, for Kindergarten to Grade 3. On-site after-school care runs from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. on school days, looked after by a dedicated school teacher, and costs $100 per month (charged for 10 months, September to June). Families sign up in advance by emailing info@columbiaacademy.ca. Grades 4–7 don't have care; they can join free after-school clubs from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. After-School Care
| 8:00–8:45 a.m. | The school opens at 8:00. Homework support and reading, with ESL support |
| 8:45 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Classes |
| 3:00–3:15 p.m. | Parents pick up children from the classroom and can talk with the homeroom teacher |
| 3:15–4:00 p.m. | Mandarin and the Grade 4–7 clubs |
| 3:15–5:30 p.m. | After-school care for Kindergarten to Grade 3 |
No. After-school care is not offered on professional development days or during winter break and spring break.
Applying and Starting
Yes, if a seat is available. Students can join at any point in the school year, and we welcome transfers from other schools.
No. We accept applications all year, and there is no deadline. Seats are limited. If a seat is available, your child can start as soon as 1 week after acceptance.
- Send us the application form, report cards from the last two years (report cards from schools outside Canada must be translated into English) and the application fee.
- Your child and family have a short interview: in person for local families, online for international families.
- The Admissions Office lets you know the decision within 3 days of the interview.
No. There is no written test. We review report cards and interview your family, in person or, for international families, online. Kindergarten applicants, who have no report cards, meet the school with their parents. Children are placed by age.
No proof of address: as an independent school, we have no catchment area. The Admissions Office will tell you which documents to bring. New to Canada
Yes. We accept international students in Kindergarten to Grade 7 and provide a Letter of Acceptance for study permit applications. International families can interview online. Start the study permit process 3–4 months ahead.
Getting Here
We're at 792 Beatty Street, beside BC Place.
- From Richmond: Canada Line to Yaletown–Roundhouse Station, then about a 12-minute walk
- From Burnaby: Expo Line to Stadium–Chinatown Station, then about a 5-minute walk
There is street parking nearby. We encourage families to walk, cycle or take transit when they can.
Still Have Questions?
Our Admissions Office can answer your questions in both English and Mandarin and help you plan a visit to our Yaletown campus.
- 792 Beatty Street, Vancouver (beside BC Place)
- 778-379-6811
- info@columbiaacademy.ca
- English WhatsApp · Español WhatsApp
- 中文 WeChat
