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Schools in Vancouver

Vancouver Private Schools

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Independent or private schools in Vancouver come with a set of unique considerations. To help you with your search for the best school, compare schools by browsing our listings below, including private schools in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, as well as other local suburbs.

In addition, as an important part of your research, you can meet the schools at private school expos, or schedule visits during their open houses. Our Kids has been hosting school fairs in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, serving as a resource on private schools in Canada since 1999.

Vancouver private schools typically have a good reputation for strong programs and academic performance. They usually do well in the Fraser Institute school rankings, including York House School repeatedly earning the top spot.

How to Find the Best Private School in Vancouver

When you are looking for a private school in Vancouver, find out whether the school is registered with the British Columbia Ministry of Education. Inquire about the reputation of the school, its principal or headmaster, and its teachers. Here are other simple tips to follow or questions to ask:

• What does the school need to do to convince you that it is the right Vancouver-area private school for your child? In other words, when you speak to the school's staff and students' parents, know the criteria that must be met to show you that their school is the best choice for your child.
• Meet with teachers to find out their philosophies and their commitment to children.
• Consider whether the school has up-to-date facilities (e.g., sports, technology).
• Attend the Vancouver Private School Expo, where you can meet leading local day schools and boarding schools from B.C., across Canada, the U.S. and overseas.

Financial Considerations

The British Columbia government funds more than 85 per cent of its province's private schools. In Canada's westernmost province, independent and private schools receive more than $150 million in funding per year. For a private school to receive one of these grants (which will lower your tuition costs), it must hire only certified teachers and meet the provincial curriculum.

British Columbia may also help you pay for private school through tax breaks. Two particular types of schools are noteworthy here. First, if you send your child to a faith-based school, paying for its tuition may count as charitable donation for which you will receive a tax credit. Similarly, enrolling your child in a school for students with special needs may allow you to claim medical tax benefits.

Private schools in British Columbia might also assist you in funding your child's education through scholarships and bursaries. Consult these tips on how to make private school affordable.

Meet with Vancouver's top ranked private schools and the best boarding schools across Canada at the Vancouver Private School Expo in November. This one day event is a must for any parent or student considering an alternative education.

Click on the links below to learn more about any or each of the Vancouver private schools that we have listed.

Meadowridge School 12224 240th Street, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, V4R 1N1 Maple Ridge
	Meadowridge is an International Baccalaureate Continuum World School serving students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Discover a world of difference; join us for a tour every Friday from 9:00am to 11:00am. [view profile]	Day Academic International School JK to 12 (Coed) $17,800 to $24,300 per year

Bodwell High School 955 Harbourside Drive, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7P 3S4 North Vancouver
	Bodwell High School in North Vancouver, BC enrols 300 day and 240 boarding students. Tuition starts at $12,560. We provide Education for a Changing World. School motto is "Strength in Diversity." [view profile]	Day & Boarding Academic 8 to 12 (Coed) Varies per year

Alexander Academy #200 - 688 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 1P1 Vancouver
	Alexander Academy is a grade 8 - 12 private school in Downtown Vancouver. With class sizes of 8 - 12 students, we provide students with education for the 21st century. [view profile]	Day Academic 8 to 12 (Coed) $13,500 to $14,500 per year

Island Pacific School 671 Carter Road, Box 128, West Vancouver-Bowen Island, British Columbia, V0N 1G0 West Vancouver-Bowen Island
	Island Pacific School offers distinctly different programs for middle school students on Bowen Island, BC. Its average class size is 12 to 18 students. [view profile]	Day & Homestay Academic 6 to 9 (Coed) $13,000 per year

North Star Montessori Elementary School 1325 East Keith Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7J 1J3 North Vancouver
	North Star Montessori Elementary School offers programs from nursery to grade seven in Vancouver. [view profile]	Day Montessori Nursery/Toddler to 7 (Coed) Varies per year

Elite Montessori Academy 5520 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6N 1W5 Vancouver
	A unique Vancouver Montessori school for students aged 2.5 to 9 years of age offering flexible hours to fit your family's schedule.We offer enrichment classes such as Kodaly Music, French, and yoga classes. [view profile]	Day Montessori PS to 3 (Coed) $10 to $80 per day

The Westside School 2420 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7H 2Y1 North Vancouver
	The Westside School is a private academic and boarding school in North Vancouver, British Columbia. A holistic grade 8 - 12 program prepares students for higher educational opportunities. Emphasis is placed on effortful learning, personal responsibility, moral and ethical behaviour, physical and psychological health and positive inter-personal relationships. [view profile]	Day & Boarding Academic 8 to 12 (Coed) $6,000 to $37,795 per year

Cousteau, The French International School of Vancouver 3657 Fromme Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7K 2E6 North Vancouver
	Cousteau school is a unique French language school in BC, #1 in the last Fraser Institute ranking. We provide academic excellence from Preschool to Grade 8. Class sizes can be as small as 13 students. [view profile]	Day Academic PS to 8 (Coed) $9,100 to $11,600 per year

Westside Montessori Academy 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5M 3E4 Vancouver
	Westside Montessori Academy, located at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver offers a true Montessori education to kids aged 2.5 to Grade 5. [view profile]	Day Montessori PS to 7 (Coed) $4,800 to $8,725 per year

Eaton Arrowsmith School 204-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver
	Eaton Arrowsmith School offers programs to help students with learning disabilities and runs from grade K to 12. Tuition starts $4,090. [view profile]	Day Special Needs Alternative K to 12 (Coed) Varies per year

Magnussen School #204-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver
	Magnussen School focuses on the social and emotional health and well-being of K through Grade 7 students, in order to then ensure academic and social success. [view profile]	Day Alternative K to 7 (Coed) $18,400 to $25,150 per year

Madrona School Society 2050 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 2B3 Vancouver
	Madrona School Society is a gifted school in Vancouver. It offers programs for grades one to nine with an average class size of six to 14 students. [view profile]	Gifted Academic K to 8 (Coed) $18,400 to $25,150 per year

Crofton House School 3200 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6N 3E1 Vancouver
	Crofton House School in Vancouver, BC is a university preparatory school with JK to grade 12 classes. Tuition starts at $16,000. [view profile]	Day Academic JK to 12 (Girls) $18,360 per year

The Westside School 788 Beatty Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2M1 Vancouver
	Westside exercises the unique approach in teaching which combines the best practices of Canadian and European methodology. Westside Preparatory School welcomes new students and accepts applications year-round. [view profile]	Day Academic K to 7 (Coed) $6,000 per year

Avenir School (Please contact school for details), Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 2Y2 Vancouver
	Project-oriented and integrated curricula allow each student to reach their highest potential with less stress and deeper understanding. [view profile]	Day Gifted Alternative 4 to 12 (Coed) $5,670 to $8,500 per year

Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School 420 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7H 1S8 North Vancouver
	Our school specializes in educating and growing the confidence of students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities in Grades 2 through 9. [view profile]	Day Special Needs Alternative K to 12 (Coed) $20,950 per year