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Trusted by families since 1998.

AN OUR KIDS REPORT:Madrona Independent School vs. Unionville Academy

one-to-one comparison:

View Madrona Independent School's full report
VS.
View Unionville Academy's full report

  • SCHOOL LOCATION

    Distance From

    Map

    Address

    Address

    2064 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 2B3, Canada

    30 Drewry Ave, North York, Ontario, M2M 4C4, Canada

    Distance

    Distance

    7,662.7 km

    5,691.9 km

  • SCHOOL OVERVIEW

    We have limited information on Unionville Academy as they are currently not registered with us.
    Request information

    Basics

    Basics

    Founded

    1993

    N/A

    Enrolment

    54

    N/A

    Grades

    K to 8

    N/A

    Gender

    Coed

    N/A

    Living arrangements

    Day

    N/A

    Language of instruction

    English

    N/A

    Faith Based

    N/A

    School focus

    Academic

    N/A

    Developmental Priorities

    Intellectual
    The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
    Emotional
    The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."

    N/A

    Academics

    Academics

    Curriculum

    Progressive

    N/A

    Curriculum pace

    Student-paced
    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.

    N/A

    Academic culture

    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.

    N/A

    Avg. Class Size

    6 to 10

    N/A

    Special needs support

    Learning, Developmental, Behavioral

    N/A

    Gifted learner support

    In-class adaptations

    N/A

    Preschool/K curriculum

    Academic
    Academic-based preschools and Kindergartens are the most structured of the different types, and have a strong emphasis on math and reading readiness skills. These programs aim to expose children to what early-elementary school is like. While time is still allotted to free play, much of the day is built around explicit lessons guided by the teacher. Classrooms often resemble play-based ones (with different stations set up around the room), but at an Academic program the teacher leads students through the stations directly, and ties these activities to a whole-class lesson or theme.

    N/A

    Tuition

    Tuition

    Day Tuition

    $32,500 to $40,000

    N/A

    Boarding Tuition

    N/A

    Financial aid (FA)

    Yes

    N/A

    Students on FA

    10%

    N/A

    Eligible grades for FA

    K to 8

    N/A

    Median FA package size

    $9,000

    N/A

    Enrollment

    Enrollment

    Avg. enrollment per grade

    6

    N/A

    Percent in boarding

    0%

    N/A

    Admissions

    Admissions

    Admissions rate

    75%

    N/A

    Day entry years

    K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

    information not available

    Boarding entry years

    information not available

    information not available

    Day admissions deadline

    Rolling

    N/A

    Boarding admissions deadline

    Not available

    N/A

    Interview required?

    Yes: grades K - 8

    N/A

    SSAT required

    No

    N/A

  • School’s perspective

    We have limited information on Unionville Academy as they are currently not registered with us.
    Request information

    Who are you, as a school?

    Who are you, as a school?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "Madrona is a small community of neurodiverse kids, families, and educators. Our K - Grade 8 school excels in providing a nurturing and joyful environment for the education of bright and gifted students. In embracing and celebrating their unique qualities, Madrona provides a safe environment for neurodivergent and neurotypical kids to flex their strengths and prepare them for the bigger world."

    • Class sizes of 6-10
    • Neurodiverse learners
    • Enriched Curriculum
    • A supportive academic environment
    • Twice -Exceptional learners
    • Gifted Programming

    What does school_name do differently or uniquely well?

    What do you do differently and uniquely well?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "At Madrona School, we understand that no two students learn the same way. Many of our learners are twice-exceptional (2e), meaning they have both advanced strengths and learning challenges. That’s why we focus on supporting the whole child, recognizing that strengths and struggles exist side by side and must be nurtured together.

    A Personalized Approach That Works
    With small class sizes and individualized learning, every student is truly known. We don’t require a formal diagnosis; what matters is understanding each child’s unique profile and creating an environment where they can succeed.

    Our students often show a mix of traits: curiosity and deep thinking, sensitivity and emotional awareness, and neurodiverse ways of learning. We provide calm, flexible environments where students feel safe, engaged, and confident.

    By combining academic support with strong social-emotional care, we help students build on their strengths while navigating challenges."

    What tradeoffs has school_name made to serve families in this way?

    What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "Madrona School’s commitment to personalized learning, whole-child development, and a deep respect for neurodiversity requires us to make clear, intentional tradeoffs. These decisions shape both our program and the experience families can expect.

    We are a small, Kindergarten to Grade 8 school by design. Many of our students transition to other high schools after Grade 7, though we do offer Grade 8 for those who benefit from an additional year in a supportive, familiar environment before making that transition.

    Our size allows for strong relationships, individualized learning, and a deep understanding of each student,but it also means we do not offer the scale, facilities, or breadth of programming found in larger schools. For example, we are not an athletic-focused school and do not have a traditional gym. Instead, we use local community spaces and parks, and access opportunities beyond our campus using our school bus."

    What key junctures in school_name's history have most shaped its present?

    What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "Madrona School was started in September 1993."

    What type of student is a good fit for school_name?

    What type of student is a good fit for your school?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "A strong fit for Madrona School is a student who benefits from a personalized, flexible learning environment and does not thrive in a traditional, one size fits all system. Many of our students are gifted or twice-exceptional (2e), with uneven learning profiles, advanced in some areas while needing support in others. They are often curious, creative, and capable of deep thinking, but may have felt misunderstood or overlooked in more conventional settings."

    Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing school_name?

    Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "Madrona School is not the right fit for every child, and it’s important to be transparent about when another setting may be more appropriate. We would advise families to consider other options if their child requires consistent one-on-one support throughout the day, as Madrona does not provide dedicated individual aides."

    To your knowledge, why do families choose school_name over others?

    To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "Many families arrive carrying uncertainty, often after difficult or discouraging school experiences. What stands out at Madrona is the immediate shift in atmosphere. Families choose Madrona because they feel an immediate sense of calm, belonging, and understanding when they visit. They see a school where children are known as individuals, not defined by grades or labels, and where educators genuinely listen and care. Madrona reflects that learning should be personalized, flexible, and responsive. Families value the balance of intellectual challenge and strong social-emotional support, especially for gifted and twice-exceptional learners. Small class sizes ensure no child is overlooked, and support is proactive. Just as important, parents find a like-minded community where they feel understood. What truly sets Madrona apart is the combination of this emotional connection with giving families something many have been missing: a place where their child belongs."

    How would you characterize school_name's image amongst the public?

    How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "Madrona School is generally seen by the public as a warm, highly personalized learning environment for students who don’t always fit the traditional school model, particularly gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) learners. Its image is rooted in being a place where children are truly understood, both for their strengths and their challenges.

    People tend to associate Madrona with small class sizes, strong relationships between students and educators, and a genuine focus on the whole child, not just academics, but social-emotional well-being as well. There’s a sense that students at Madrona are “seen” in a way they may not have been elsewhere, which creates a feeling of relief and trust among families."

    What aspect of school_name is underappreciated?

    What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "One of Madrona School’s most underappreciated aspects is its thoughtful approach to physical activity and experiential learning, despite not having a traditional gym or playground. While this may seem like a limitation at first, students actually spend ample time outdoors at local parks, staying active in a natural environment. Rain or shine, they are moving, exploring, and building resilience through real-world play that encourages creativity and social connection.

    Madrona integrates off-site experiences into everyday learning. With access to our own school bus, students regularly participate in field trips that enrich classroom studies. These experiences are not optional extras; they are built into the program and included in tuition, ensuring all students benefit. This approach reflects a broader philosophy: learning happens everywhere. Madrona’s use of outdoor spaces and community-based experiences creates a more dynamic, engaging, and inclusive environment than a traditional gym."

    What do families find surprising about school_name?

    What might families find surprising about your school?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "One of the most surprising things families discover about Madrona School is the strength of the community. While they may initially come looking for academic support or a better fit for their child’s learning needs, they often end up finding something deeper, a genuine sense of belonging. Many parents share that, for the first time, they feel like they’ve “found their people.” There is a shared understanding among families, which creates a supportive, connected environment not just for students, but for parents as well.

    Families are also often surprised by how much learning extends beyond traditional expectations. What may look less structured on the surface is, in reality, highly intentional and responsive. Students are deeply engaged in their learning, and growth happens in ways that aren’t always captured by conventional measures."

    What improvements or changes has school_name made recently?

    What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "Madrona School’s recent improvements reflect a continued commitment to personalized learning, whole-child development, and meaningful, real-world experiences for students.

    One key area of growth has been expanding our use of community-based learning. We have increased the number and variety of field trips and off-site experiences, supported by our school bus, allowing students to connect their learning to the world around them in more tangible ways. These opportunities are intentionally integrated into the curriculum and included in tuition, reinforcing our belief that learning should extend beyond the classroom.

    We have also strengthened our focus on social-emotional learning and student support. With small class sizes and a responsive approach, we’ve continued to refine how we support students in developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy skills, essential for many of our gifted and twice-exceptional learners."

    How will school_name change in the next 5 years?

    How will your school change in the next 5 years?

    MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

    "We have developed a continuous improvement plan that will play a role in our new strategic plan for the upcoming year."

Compare:

MADRONA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL:
THE OUR KIDS REPORT  




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