70 Morven Drive, West Vancouver, British Columbia, V7S 1B2, Canada
1325 East Keith Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7J 1J3, Canada
70 Morven Drive, West Vancouver, British Columbia, V7S 1B2, Canada
1325 East Keith Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7J 1J3, Canada
1984
1996
1256
110
JK to 12
Preschool to 7
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Progressive
Montessori
16 to 22
Varies
$23,800 to $28,150
$8,550 to $16,785
Yes
Yes
2%
0%
6 to 12
K to 7
$7,500
$0
84
10
0%
0%
22%
0%
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Dec 01, 2022
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 4 - 12
No
Yes: grades 8 - 12
No
information not available
information not available
Two campuses, an AP offering, Round Square and an extensive roster of co-curriculars, Collingwood frankly has it all. It’s the largest day school in the region, and likely the country, and it benefits from its size through unequalled physical and human resources and a broad, varied course offering. That the campus is divided between two properties adds a welcome dimension—while student life is vibrant and busy, the division allows for a personal feel and sense of community in the day-to-day. Through the Four Strands program the school rightly requires students to participate in all areas of student life, including athletics, with recreational as well as competitive options. Perched in beautiful West Vancouver, the bussing system is proprietary, with routes servicing a wide catchment area, including North Shore from Deep Cove and into South Vancouver. In all, if there's a down side, we've yet to find it. The ideal student is one who will thrive in a vibrant, supportive instructional and social environment, and preparing for post-secondary education.
View full reportNorth Star Montessori Elementary School is the only school in the North Shore area offering an authentic Montessori elementary program, enriched by outdoor education and field trips. The school’s welcoming community benefits from dedicated teachers trained in Montessori methods, as well as small classes. The school is known for its individualized approach and the ability to ignite a deep love of learning, independence, and respect in students. Its curriculum surpasses BC grade-level standards, with specialized programs in French, music, and STEM. North Star Montessori also offers extensive physical education, integrated arts programs, and a variety of field trips. Parents are drawn to North Star for its nurturing environment and commitment to academic development. The school maintains a non-competitive atmosphere without traditional testing. North Star's education model focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, prepared for lifelong success with creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills.
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"The atmosphere is tight-knit and supportive, with a strong sense of community."
Yuri Park - Alumnus (Feb 23, 2024)
Looking back on my overall experience at Collingwood I am more than grateful. For me, it was life-ch...
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"My experience at Collingwood School was quite amazing!"
Zach Yakaoma - Alumnus (Feb 23, 2024)
My experience at Collingwood School was quite amazing, no lie! I really felt that Collingwood was co...
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"Collingwood is one of Canada's largest JK-Grade 12, university-preparatory day school's, located on two campuses in beautiful West Vancouver. Our students participate fully in the School’s four strands: academics, athletics, arts and service. We are recognized for our robust Advanced Placement program, our university acceptance record, our outdoor Explore program, and our award-winning sports teams and musical groups. We are a member of ISABC, NAIS and we are a CAIS-accredited school."
"An authentic Montessori program from birth to Gr. 7, we are committed to meeting the needs of each student. We foster a love of learning, independence and respect. The benefits and robust academic curriculum of the Montessori program extend beyond the walls of the classroom and the limits of the BC grade-level curriculum allowing students to meet their fullest potential. Practical experiences build confidence and inspire the self-motivation to 'learn' and 'do' which students carry with them throughout their lives."
"Collingwood inspires and supports our students to pursue their passions with an educational experience that provides unique pathways and a personalized approach to learning. Our commitment to learning and teaching excellence from JK- Gr. 12 provides an exceptional academic foundation in literacy and numeracy with enriched knowledge and skills that exceed the BC Curriculum. We also offer an exceptional array of co-curricular programming across Academics, Arts, Athletics and Service."
"We meet the social, academic, and developmental needs of each student in an exciting and engaging way. Students are seen as individual learners and their lessons are planned according to their own unique needs and learning styles. Specially trained teachers use the Montessori materials to create a lasting impression of concepts. Deeper exploration of concepts in a dynamic mixed-age classroom make learning fun!"
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"Families choose Collingwood for its: personalized and inclusive approach to learning which fosters academic excellence and well-being; for the diverse array of co-curriculars offered across the four strands--academics, athletics, arts and service learning; and for the dedicated faculty who value experiential learning, collaboration, character development. The School's EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Commitment strives to ensure every person feels welcomed, understood and valued."
"Families choose North Star because of the warm, caring and inclusive environments in each of the classrooms. They notice from their first tour of the school that students at North Star are calm, focused, and happy. They are confident knowing that North Star is a recognized and authentic Montessori school with high-quality, experienced teachers, and appreciate that their child will be encouraged to strive beyond the academic boundaries of the BC grade-level curriculum."
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"Collingwood is committed to making students feel empowered with their own capabilities and strengths. Not only is the caliber of teaching outstanding--our faculty and staff care deeply about student wellbeing, individual growth and development with a view to the future. The University Guidance Department meets regularly with students in high school to guide individual post-secondary planning. Additionally students are supported by counsellors, specialists, Heads of House and Advisors."
"The huge social-emotional and academic benefits of the mixed-age classrooms- The
collaborative nature of student relationships across the ages provides inspiration and motivation to younger students, leadership opportunities and reinforcement of knowledge for older students and an elevated level of socialization skills for all students. It is a mutually beneficial relationship that more closely reflects the social dynamic in life outside of school."
"At Collingwood, we care for each student as if they were our own. By providing a diverse array of co-curricular and curricular programming, we are able to support each student as they each pursue their individual passions. With a focus on individualized learning, we partner with our students to achieve their best. We emphasize the importance of community and prioritize our students' wellbeing and growth. We are deeply committed to hiring and retaining the best and brightest faculty and staff."
"Given the non-competitive atmosphere with no traditional testing or homework, it can be surprising to new families that students are so academically advanced, and that grade level competencies are a base, not the ceiling for their child's potential. The way the lessons are presented and the exploratory nature of the Montessori Materials creates a lasting impression and solidifies knowledge."
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As Collingwood’s sixth Head of School, it is my honour and privilege to welcome you as a prospective member of our caring and vibrant learning community.
As you will see, Collingwood is a very special community with much to offer. Our mission to inspire and support young people for meaningful lives is at the core of everything we do. With innovative technology and our design thinking approach to curriculum, we provide our students with a time-honoured Four Strand approach to education - offering the very best in academics, arts, athletics, and service learning. We work hard to know each child as an individual. We will identify their abilities and understand their nature. We will help them find their passions. Ultimately, our commitment is that we will care for each student as if they were our own child.
I look forward to meeting you in person and further introducing you to our wonderful community of educators and families.
Lisa Evans,
Head of School
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Montessori
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Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.
Particularly popular in the younger grades (preschool to elementary), but sometimes available all the way up to high school, Montessori schools offer an alternative vision to the standard lesson format of most classrooms. Instead of listening to whole-class lessons, Montessori classrooms allow students to choose which "tasks" or activities interest them. These tasks centre around special Montessori puzzles - their essential feature being they contain a right answer and allow for selfcorrection. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on lessons being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with students developing a sense of self-sufficiency, confidence and curiosity.
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Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.
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The Montessori materials allow the students to explore a concrete experience of abstract mathematics concepts. This work provides the student with solid underpinnings for conventional mathematical principles, providing a structured scope for abstract reasoning.
North Star has the full scope of Montessori Materials for the Mathematics curriculum,
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Balanced reading programs are typically Whole Language programs with supplementary phonics training. This training might be incidental, or it might take the form of mini-lessons.
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The language program, which begins at age 3, is phonetically based. Sound games and other activities are played to establish phonological awareness. Once a student is familiar with all or most of the sounds, they begin to put them together to build words. When this base is strong, they move to learning blends, phonograms and sight words.
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The process approach to teaching beginner writing aims to get students writing “real things” as much as possible and as soon as possible. The goal is to create the right environmental conditions to encourage a love of writing and a motivation to write well. With children invested in the writing process -- through assignments children find meaningful -- students are then given feedback on how they can improve.
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Writing comes before reading in Montessori. Through letter sound recognition, students use the Movable Alphabet to begin building words and sentences. Prior experience with the practical life exercises helps strengthen the hand and create habits for writing including the pincer grip, moving from let to right and the circular motion for cursive writing. Students are writing phonetic stream of consciousness long before spelling and grammar are formally taught.
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Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.
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Visit North Star's website for more detailed information.
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
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These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
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Please visit North Star's website for more information
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
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The Thematic approach organizes the curriculum around certain themes or cultural universals. Students might spend time focused on food. Then they might focus on transportation or government, and so on.
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Please visit North Star's website for more information.
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These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
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These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
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Please visit North Star's website for more information
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
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Creative arts programs are studio-driven. While historical works and movements may still be taught to add context to the program, students mainly engage in making art (visual, musical, theatrical, etc). The goal is use the actual practice of art to help educate students’ emotions, cognition, and ethos.
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Please visit North Star's website for more information.
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
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A major effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy throughout the curriculum and in everything students do. Digital literacy is understood to be a fundamental skill in the 21st century: it therefore follows, the idea goes, that teachers should find ways to connect every lesson back to technology. Effort is made to ensure the use of technology is meaningful and advances students’ skills beyond what they would otherwise be from using computers outside the classroom.
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Web design
Robotics
Computer science
The Physical Education Department provides students with the opportunity to develop appropriate fitness and motor skills, acquire knowledge, and demonstrate a positive attitude in a variety of recreational and team related activities. Students will be encouraged to take risks, challenge themselves, work with others cooperatively, and develop an appreciation of a healthy lifestyle through daily activities. While students are evaluated on participation, attendance and personal fitness, we encourage students to take ownership of their learning by getting involved with the evaluation process.
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Montessori
Reggio Emilia programs aim to develop curiosity and problem-solving skills through the liberal use of “projects”, (as opposed to “activities” or “lessons”). Teachers design projects for children around their demonstrated interests. Projects can be geared to an individual student, a small group of students, or the class as a whole. Projects can last from a few days to the whole year. Art is strongly emphasized and is typically incorporated into every project. Teachers actively participate in projects alongside students, rather than sitting back and observing. A high degree of parent involvement is also encouraged, particularly when forming curriculums and project plans (which happens throughout the academic year).
If you want to learn more about Reggio Emilia education, check out our comprehensive guide.
Montessori programs aimed at preschool and Kindergarten- aged children allow young learners to choose which “tasks” or activities interest them. These tasks centre around special Montessori puzzles -- the essential features of these puzzles being they contain a “right answer” and allow for self-correction. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on learning being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with children developing a sense of self-sufficiency and confidence. Specially trained teachers act as guides, introducing children to progressively more difficult materials when appropriate. A Montessori classroom is typically very calm and orderly, with children working alone or, sometimes, in small groups.
If you want to learn more about Montessori education, check out our comprehensive guide. You can also check out our guide to Montessori preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
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Student-paced
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.
The teachers carefully observe the students, record their progress, give further support and direction as necessary, and present the next level of martial /work, when the student is ready.
Supportive
A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.
A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.
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"We intentionally avoid all forms of public distinction between students in terms of academic performance."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Emotional
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
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Secondary Developmental Priority: Social - Socially aware and active citizens, motivated to change the world (or their community) for the better.
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CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
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Badminton |
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Baseball |
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Basketball |
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Canoeing/Kayaking |
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Cricket |
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Cross-country skiing |
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Cycling |
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Downhill skiing |
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Equestrian |
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Fencing |
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Field Hockey |
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Figure Skating |
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Football |
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Golf |
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Gymnastics |
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Ice Hockey |
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Ice Skating |
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Lacrosse |
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Martial Arts |
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Mountain biking |
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Racquet Ball |
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Rowing |
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Rugby |
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Running |
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Sailing |
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Skateboarding |
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Snowboarding |
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Soccer |
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Softball |
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Squash |
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Swimming |
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Tennis |
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Track & Field |
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Volleyball |
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Weightlifting |
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Wrestling |
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Archery |
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Curling |
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Ultimate |
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
6 - 12
K - 7
2%
0%
$7,500
$0
22%
0%
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Dec 01, 2022
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 4 - 12
No
Yes: grades 8 - 12
No
Yes: grades 8 - 12
No
Yes: grades JK - 7
No
No
No
No
No
The younger the child is when exposed to the Montessori environment, the more success they will have in it.
Please visit our Admissions Page for more information.
Please visit North Star's Website for more information.
