K-7

Elementary School Overview

Welcome to Columbia Academy! We look forward to meeting your family in the year ahead.

Our Five Core Elements: Educational Development, Academic Competitions, Service Learning, Social Impact Programs and Co-Curriculars guide our School. Columbia Academy is a safe and joyful environment that fosters a love of learning.

Our elementary school students are enthusiastic and confident. They ask big questions, express their opinions and are excited to explore their ideas. Our youngest learners participate in projects and activities that fill our classrooms and halls with discussion, music and laughter. Amid all of this energy, self-reliant, inquisitive, and reflective young thinkers begin to emerge, ready to take on the next challenge.

Program and Philosophy

Using the academic framework currently in place from the BC Ministry of Education, the Columbia Academy elementary school program incorporates various approaches to learning emphasizing inquiry, play, hands-on experiences, core values and community.
Some schools are known to shy-away from regular homework and reading assignments. At Columbia Academy we believe that they play an essential role in a 21st century education. All students from K-7 are set regular homework and daily reading assignments.
Our elementary school program also values the importance of the arts, with three musical instruments taught to students from Kindergarten.
Students are taught French/Mandarin from Kindergarten.
Our elementary school teachers are supported in their efforts but our commitment to keeping class sizes to a maximum of 15 students.

Learn more about our Academic Development.

Location

The elementary school is located at our Yaletown Campus, 792 Beatty Street, in the heart of bustling downtown Vancouver. We aim to primarily serve busy families who live and/or work in the downtown core.

Things To Know When Applying To Elementary School

When can we apply for our child?
Elementary intake occurs in September and February. Intake at other times of the year is at the discretion of the administration

What supplementary materials are needed?
Any school reports that are in your possession

Interview

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an invitation for a tour of the school and a brief interview with the Principal. This interview assesses early academic and executive function skills.

Preparation

Elementary applicants who are likely to be the most ready will be conversationally fluent in English and will demonstrate core values and the ability to self-regulate. For Kindergarteners, most students will have letter and number awareness, curiosity to learn and explore, appropriate listening skills and emotional stability.

When are decisions made?

Decisions are made by the Admissions Department and will be communicated with families as soon as reasonably possible.

K-7