K–7
Columbia Academy Elementary SchoolPrivate Elementary School in Downtown Vancouver
Columbia Academy Elementary School is the only independent elementary school in downtown Vancouver. It teaches Kindergarten to Grade 7 at 792 Beatty Street in Yaletown and is the elementary campus of Columbia Academy, a K–12 school certified by the BC Ministry of Education.
- Classes: in English, no more than 15 students, and a homeroom teacher you can talk to every day at pick-up
- Tuition: $20,000 a year for Canadian students
- After-school care: Kindergarten to Grade 3, until 5:30 p.m., $100 a month
- When to start: any time during the school year, if a seat is available
At a Glance
| Grades | Kindergarten to Grade 7 |
|---|---|
| Campus | 792 Beatty Street, Yaletown, downtown Vancouver (beside BC Place) |
| Part of | Columbia Academy, a K–12 school. Elementary School (Kindergarten to Grade 7) at 792 Beatty Street, Yaletown High School (Grades 8–12) at 602 West Hastings Street, Coal Harbour |
| Language |
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| Students | About 90% of our current students come from local families who live and work in downtown Vancouver |
| Class size | Small classes of no more than 15 students |
| Tuition | $20,000 per school year for Canadian students (2026–27) · See all fees |
| After-school care |
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| School day |
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| When to start | Any time during the school year, if a seat is available. There is no application deadline. |
| International students | Welcome in Kindergarten to Grade 7. We provide a Letter of Acceptance for study permit applications |
| Contact | Admissions Office · 778-379-6811 · info@columbiaacademy.ca |
Why Choose Columbia Academy Elementary School?
If you are looking for a private elementary school in downtown Vancouver, you likely want:
- Strong academic foundations
- Small class sizes
- Structured learning
- A safe and supportive environment
Our Kindergarten to Grade 7 program builds confident learners, strong study habits, and responsible young leaders in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Families choose our elementary campus for a few clear reasons:
- Serving local studentsAbout 90% of our current students come from local families who live and work in downtown Vancouver, and we welcome international students.
- Second languagesFrench and Mandarin begin in Kindergarten. Every student learns French, and Mandarin is a free after-school class at beginner and advanced levels.
- Habit formationDaily homework and reading help children build strong study habits. Every day, children take home a book from our library.
- Musical enrichmentChildren learn the recorder, ukulele and guitar during their elementary years, and piano is also offered.
- Explorative learningEvery week, children take part in activities in the downtown community around our Yaletown campus.
- Holistic developmentShort meditation sessions three times a day, and yoga, help children build focus and mindfulness.
Our elementary program is guided by five core pillars:
- Academic Development
- Competitions
- Service Learning
- Social Impact
- Co-Curricular Enrichment
We believe strong habits begin early — and those habits shape long-term success. Our classrooms are filled with discussion, music, creativity, and curiosity. Students ask big questions. They explore ideas. They build confidence step by step. In this supportive environment, enthusiastic young learners grow into independent and reflective thinkers.
Learn more about why Columbia Academy is different. (opens in a new tab)
Program and Philosophy
Using the academic framework from the BC Ministry of Education, our elementary program combines:
- Inquiry-based learning
- Play and hands-on experiences
- Clear academic expectations
- Core values and community
Some schools shy away from regular homework and reading assignments. At Columbia Academy Elementary School, we believe regular homework and daily reading play an essential role from the start, so all students from K–7 have both. 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.
Each class has a homeroom teacher. At classroom pick-up from 3:00 to 3:15 p.m., families can talk with the teacher about their child’s day and bring further concerns to the principal.
Practice builds confidence. Routine builds independence.
Our elementary program also values the arts. Students learn the recorder, ukulele and guitar during their elementary years, and piano is also offered. French is taught to all students from Kindergarten, and Mandarin is a free after-school option from Kindergarten.
Our commitment to keeping classes to no more than 15 students ensures focused learning and meaningful teacher support.
Learn more about our Academic Development. (opens in a new tab)
After-School Care (K–3) for $100 a Month
For Kindergarten to Grade 3, on-site after-school care runs until 5:30 p.m., looked after by a dedicated school teacher, for $100 a month.
Grades 4–7 have free after-school clubs from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.
Hot Lunch at School
Hot lunch is available every day at Columbia Academy Elementary School and is charged separately. Ask the Admissions Office for the current price.
Lunch is not included in tuition or the K–3 after-school care fee.
Modern Facilities in the Heart of Downtown Vancouver
Our elementary school in Yaletown offers a structured, safe, and professional learning environment.
Facilities support:
- Academic instruction
- Music and arts
- Group collaboration
- Supervised activities
Explore our Elementary School Facilities. (opens in a new tab)
Prime Downtown Location Near Public Transit
Our campus is at 📍 792 Beatty Street, Vancouver, beside BC Place in Yaletown.
Working downtown and living in Richmond or Burnaby?
Drop off on your way to work and pick up on your way home.
- 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
For parents working 9–5 in downtown Vancouver, Columbia Academy makes school drop-off and pick-up easier:
- Morning drop-off: 8:00 a.m.
- After-school care: pick-up at 5:30 p.m. for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3
Located near BC Place, the school allows parents to fit drop-off and pick-up into their downtown workday, reducing extra travel and making daily routines easier.
Things To Know When Applying To Elementary School
When can my child start?
Any time during the school year, if a seat is available. Seats are limited, and there is no application deadline. We welcome transfers from other schools, and your child can start as soon as 1 week after acceptance.
What do we need to apply?
- A completed application form
- Report cards from the last two years (report cards from schools outside Canada must be translated into English)
- The one-time, non-refundable application fee: $200 for Canadian students, $300 for international students
Kindergarten applicants don’t need report cards. The Admissions Office will tell you which other documents to bring.
Interview
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an invitation for a tour of the school and a brief interview.
There is no written test. The interview is a conversation with your child and your family, in person for local families and online for international families. Kindergarten applicants meet the school with their parents, in person or online.
Our goal is to understand each child’s learning background, support a smooth transition, and build a strong school–family partnership. From our first meeting, we see parents as partners in their child’s education.
Is my child ready?
Children don’t need to speak English to apply. Students who are still learning English get ESL support at no extra cost, every morning from 8:00 to 8:45.
We look for children who love learning and want to broaden their horizons, with curiosity, core values and the ability to self-regulate.
For Kindergarteners, most students will have letter and number awareness, appropriate listening skills and emotional stability.
See Language & English Support
When are decisions made?
The Admissions Office lets families know within 3 days of the interview. Children are placed in a grade based on their age.
Learn more about our Elementary Admission Process. (opens in a new tab)
Tuition Information
We believe in transparent communication about tuition and fees, so every fee is listed here and on our Tuition & Fees K–7 page.
| Canadian students | $20,000 per school year (2026–27), for citizens, permanent residents and families with a work permit |
|---|---|
| International students | $24,000 a year, a rate that applies until December 31, 2028 |
| After-school care (Kindergarten to Grade 3) | $100 per month, charged for 10 months (September to June) |
Tuition can be paid in instalments by arrangement with the Admissions Office. Neither donations nor parent volunteering are required.
School Uniform Information
For more information about school uniforms, please visit our official supplier:
- Website: www.cambridgeuniforms.com
- School Code: CLA821
- Uniforms for Columbia Academy Elementary are available only at the Dollarton location
One School from Kindergarten to Grade 12
Columbia Academy is a K–12 school. Our elementary campus in Yaletown (Kindergarten to Grade 7) and our high school campus in Coal Harbour (Grades 8–12, 602 West Hastings Street) are one school community, and the high school program builds directly on the foundation students develop in K–7. The habits built in elementary school continue into high school.
After Grade 7
Grade 7 students move up directly to Grade 8 at Columbia Academy High School, with no new application, interview or test.
Every year, 100% of Columbia Academy High School graduates are accepted to university, and 90% go on to universities in the QS World University Rankings top 50.
Explore our High School (Grades 8–12) Program (opens in a new tab)
“Columbia Academy has been the best decision for our family. The teachers truly care about each child.”
“The small class sizes and supportive environment helped our daughter become more confident.”
“We love the strong academics, language opportunities, and caring community.”
Frequently Asked Questions – Elementary School in Downtown Vancouver
$20,000 per school year for Canadian students (2026–27).
- International students: $24,000 a year, a rate that applies until December 31, 2028
- After-school care (Kindergarten to Grade 3): $100 per month
See Tuition & Fees K–7 for every fee, and our admissions team is happy to answer any questions.
At Columbia Academy, elementary classes are capped at 15 students, allowing teachers to provide personalized support, build strong relationships, and address academic needs early.
Yes, for Kindergarten to Grade 3.
- Kindergarten to Grade 3: on-site after-school care from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. on school days, looked after by a dedicated school teacher, for $100 per month, so parents who work downtown can pick up on the way home
- Grades 4–7: no after-school care; free after-school clubs from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.
Yes. All classes are taught in English.
- Students: about 90% of our current students come from local families who live and work in downtown Vancouver
- Mandarin: an optional after-school class from Kindergarten, free of charge, at beginner and advanced levels
Yes. Columbia Academy accepts international students in Kindergarten to Grade 7.
- Study permit: we provide a Letter of Acceptance for study permit applications and recommend starting the process 3–4 months in advance
- Interview: international families can interview online
More questions? See all FAQ K–7
Visit Columbia Academy Elementary School
Choosing the right private elementary school in downtown Vancouver is an important decision, and we invite you to visit us. Tours of our Yaletown campus are by appointment on any school day, take about an hour and can be given in both English and Mandarin.
- 792 Beatty Street, Vancouver (beside BC Place)
- 778-379-6811
- info@columbiaacademy.ca
- English WhatsApp · Español WhatsApp
- 中文 WeChat
