7808 Pierre Drive, Summerland, British Columbia, V0H 1Z2, Canada
2193 Orchard Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7L 7J8, Canada
7808 Pierre Drive, Summerland, British Columbia, V0H 1Z2, Canada
2193 Orchard Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7L 7J8, Canada
2018
1984
130
240
JK to 12
Preschool to 12
Coed
Coed
Boarding, Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Progressive, International Baccalaureate
Waldorf
Varies
16 to 24
In-class adaptations
$14,800 to $17,980
$17,600
$41,930 to $59,480
Yes
Yes
30%
0%
1 to 11
K to 12
$3,000
$0
9
15
23%
0%
70%
90%
JK, SK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Yes: grades Preschool - 11
Yes: grades Preschool - 8
No
No
information not available
information not available
The setting for the campus couldn’t be more attractive, nestled comfortably on 17 acres in the Okanagan Valley. The school prides itself on a ability to remain agile, and to innovate programs and approaches. It’s a candidate for the full IB continuum, though, as any school in a similar position, is of course already teaching to that curriculum. While we think of innovation in terms STEM instruction—engineering and digital design perhaps particularly—there is also a core belief in what outdoor education can offer, something that adds dimension to the academic delivery and the student experience. The boarding program adds depth and diversity to the student population. Founded in 2016, Unisus is comparatively a young school, though the leadership brings a wealth of experience in private schooling. The school was founded to offer an exceptional learning experience, something that it has proven, through hiring and program development, to be very adept at achieving.
View full reportAny school is more than the buildings or the setting, though perhaps especially with Waldorf programs, setting is an important piece. Halton’s program is established and proven, having been founded in 1984, and the facilities are notable as well, providing, in many ways, the ideal environment for the Waldorf approach. The buildings aren’t small, though they really confer a nice sense of place, some that is beautifully extended by the school’s proximity to green space. Waldorf intends to set students apart a bit from the bustle of daily live, and all the distractions that might be found there, and refocus students’ attention, and awaken a perception and appreciation of children’s talents and their place in the world. You’d be hard pressed to find a learning environment that better expresses and supports those goals. It’s idyllic, and matches the strength of the academic program and the experience of the staff.
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"Looking for an education that's out of the ordinary? Unisus School is a Pre - K to Grade 12 day and boarding school in Canada's beautiful four-seasons Okanagan, offering the International Baccalaureate program + the B.C. Diploma (Dogwood) with a strong focus on outdoor education, technology and entrepreneurship. Everyone knows each other’s name in our safe, tight-knit, and inclusive community: students and boarders never get lost in the crowd."
"Halton Waldorf School, nestled in northeast Burlington, is an independent school offering a holistic education from pre-K to Grade 12. We offer a developmentally appropriate, experiential, and academically rigorous approach to education. The arts are integrated in all academic disciplines to enhance and enrich learning. Our curriculum respects the pace of child development and inspires life-long learning. Halton Waldorf School has been educating the head, heart and hands since 1984."
"As an IB World School, the IB curriculum encourages students to think critically, challenge assumptions and consider both local and global contexts. Outdoor Education is a foundational part of our K-12 learning curriculum. Unisus is based in the four-seasons Okanagan Valley with access to unparalleled outdoor recreation, including skiing, boating, and watersports! We offer English language instruction. We offer ELL, Outdoor Ed and boarding in our custom-built facility."
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"Where you send your child to school is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. At UNISUS, we inspire our students to be globally-minded citizens and critical thinkers through Academic Excellence, Student Empowerment, and Global Citizenship. We are proud to be the only IB World Boarding School in the Okanagan. Our location in beautiful Summerland allows us to offer an extensive and varied outdoor education program, including downhill skiing. High standard+high support."
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"What might surprise students - particularly international or national boarding students - is the opportunity to explore four-season outdoor recreation activities: skiing, snowboarding, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, water sports. Boarding students who had never skied before arriving in the Okanagan, are all proficient skiers after spending weekends at Apex Mountain Ski Resort and Nickel Plate Nordic Centre! Add to that, a tight-knit, supportive community where no student feels lost in the crowd."
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"Based in the beautiful Okanagan, British Columbia, we have a unique chance to ignite a passion and respect for outdoor exploration and recreation. The UNISUS outdoor education program has the natural advantage of the renowned sunny Okanagan climate and four-season outdoor activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, ziplining and direct access to some of the best hiking trails, lakes, and ski hills in the world. We also boast a tight-knit, caring community!"
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Looking for an education that's out of the ordinary? Unisus School is a Pre - K to Grade 12 day and boarding school in Canada's Okanagan, offering the International Baccalaureate program + the B.C. Diploma (Dogwood) with a strong focus on outdoor education, technology and entrepreneurship.
Everyone knows each other’s name in our safe, tight-knit, and inclusive community: children never get lost in the crowd. Every single student is known, accepted, encouraged, and supported to discover their voice, true self, and potential to shine. Small class sizes and dedicated IB teachers (most of whom have lived and taught overseas) mean your child will never be just a face in the crowd!
Founded in 2018, the UNISUS campus sits on a 17-acre hilltop at the base of Giant’s Head Mountain, in Summerland, the Central Okanagan. The school and our custom-built 60-student capacity boarding facility (and dining hall) is nestled among miles of vineyards and orchards, with a view to Lake Okanagan and all lake life has to offer. The Okanagan Valley offers four season recreation, a beautiful natural environment, and a safe place to learn and live
The UNISUS IB Diploma Programme (DP) offers students world-class university preparation programs and pathways to esteemed universities worldwide. The academically rigorous Diploma Programme (DP) offers an unsurpassed breadth and depth of knowledge that develops students intellectually, emotionally and ethically - increasing our student's candidacy to their university of choice (100% of our graduates continue to universities in Canada, the U.S. and Europe).
Students become confident and capable globally-minded citizens and thinkers, empowered to meet life's challenges with intelligence, compassion, and courage.
UNISUS is a community guided by three Learning and Teaching Goals:
Academic Excellence: where students are continually challenged and excel in their learning within a curriculum rooted in rigorous standards and real-world applications
Student Empowerment: where students develop the skills, confidence and resilience to embrace challenges and opportunities
Global Citizenship: where students commit to international mindedness through ethics, global perspectives, communication, leadership through service, and sustainability.
These learning and teaching goals are based on research and intention and ensure that UNISUS students are “future ready” and best equipped for our rapidly changing, interdependent world. We think our graduates will agree!
Dr Beverley von Zielonka
My involvement with Waldorf education began almost 30 years ago when my daughter started Waldorf Kindergarten in Europe. Our family joined the Halton Waldorf School after arriving in Canada in 2004, and I joined the faculty as an assistant teacher in 2007. I immersed myself in Waldorf Education and became a certified Lead teacher in 2014. I was in the classroom for 15 years and was always interested and involved with the school's leadership. In 2022, I became the Pedagogical Director of the Halton Waldorf School. In each role, I have seen firsthand how the curriculum supports healthy and well-rounded childhood development that helps students flourish and find fulfillment in life.
Our faculty recognizes that true knowledge is best attained through experiences that engage children physically, intellectually, and emotionally. With a passionate commitment and a multi-disciplinary approach, we identify each child’s learning profile and support building their full potential.
As members of a global community of Waldorf schools, we educate children within the context of their evolving awareness of the world. We foster intellectual flexibility, moral discernment, integrity, and a love of learning that profoundly shapes their individual capacities.
Waldorf
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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.
Waldorf schools are available from preschool to Grade 12, though they are most popular at the younger ages. Waldorf schools are unmistakably "progressive". Rudolf Steiner, their intellectual forefather, believed the educator's first task should be to help students develop an aesthetic appreciation for life and learning. Sometimes incorrectly conflated with Montessori schools, Waldorf schools focus on developing the "whole child" - emphasizing collaborative, hands-on learning, along with the arts and music, which are integrated into other areas of study.
Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.
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SCHOOL PROFILE Unisus International School is an independent, co-educational, International Baccalaureate (IB) World School serving students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. All students follow the IB curriculum. ABOUT UNISUS UNISUS School is a leading co-educational, day and boarding, International Baccalaureate (IB) World School located in Summerland, British Columbia. We offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and/or the B.C. government Diploma (Dogwood) program. Our fully accredited International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and MYP (Candidate) and Primary Years Programme (PYP). UNISUS offers inquiry-based programs for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Unisus is the only program of its kind in the Okanagan Valley and the only boarding school between Vancouver and Saskatchewan. Four foundational pillars anchor the school: The IB, Outdoor Education, Technology & Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Small and personalized, UNISUS places the learner at the core of the school experience.
How will your child benefit from a Waldorf education? Our students are not rushed through childhood by academic expectations that exceed their developmental stages. Instead, our teachers cultivate a life-long love of learning with an academic curriculum that is developmentally-appropriate and includes engaging, hands-on activities. Our children learn by doing, figuring out problems and finding opportunities while building respectful relationships in an environment that highly values individuality. What does this look like in a classroom? Our students are engaged both physically and cognitively with projects that strengthen the logical and creative sides of the brain. They do not sit still for long stretches of time or use screen technology that limits creativity and learning capacity by doing the work for them. Our students also spend a lot of time outdoors for projects, recess breaks, and on field trips. Our property includes over five acres of forest and provides unique opportunities to engage children in hands-on learning.
Equal Balance
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
We stress problem-solving techniques but also use traditional approach to help solve math problems
As a core main lesson subject, the key concepts of mathematics are taught by the class teachers. To broaden children's knowledge, the main lesson concepts are repeated in different ways by subject teachers during their lessons in art, woodworking, handwork, French and German. In the early grades, students experience an inherent understanding of numbers, both qualitative and quantitative. The four mathematical operations are worked on with rigorous practice and through imaginative stories, drawing pictures, movement and song. This knowledge is deepened in the higher grades with increasing complexity, timetabled skills classes and regular assessment supporting ongoing skill development and preparedness for grade nine mathematics in public school.
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Our classrooms do not use screen technology because we believe it compromises a child's potential to learn for themselves and develop problem-solving skills.
Balanced Literacy
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.
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.
Phonics is used in the lower grade while we use whole language reading program in the high school years.
Our curriculum is based on a fundamental belief that childhood should not be rushed and therefore we do expect children to read before they are developmentally ready. Our early childhood programs emphasize learning through play and provide a nurturing environment rich with stories, plays, songs and poetry to foster a love of language and the power of stories. Hearing advanced and complex language from teachers helps young children have an understanding of phonetics, rhythm, plot, setting, and story structure. These are all key to story comprehension so that children deeply understand language and love to read rather than memorizing patterns of letters. Grade one students work on clear speech with daily recitations of poems, tongue twisters and songs. Every day includes written and oral reviews of the previous day’s lessons. Some children will learn to read in grade one but for others this may happen in grades two or three.
Equal balance
Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
We focus on basic writing skills, as well as creative writing.
The Waldorf curriculum places a strong emphasis on hand-writing skills particularly on cursive writing which begins in grade three. Students fill their lesson books with handwriting and illustrations regarding their new knowledge about the focus subjects such as ancient cultures, botany, physiology or physics. This requires a deep understanding of each topic in order to summarize and illustrate what was learned. In grade one students are introduced to letters, and learn the vowels and consonants, often through story images. They also learn phonics and the writing of short sentences. In grade two, students compose abbreviated stories from folktales, begin learning grammar and punctuation, short and long vowel sounds, vowel and consonant blends, and word families.
Inquiry
Inquiry-based science emphasizes teaching science as a way of thinking or practice, and therefore tries to get students “doing” science as much as possible -- and not just “learning” it. Students still learn foundational scientific ideas and content (and build on this knowledge progressively); however, relative to expository science instruction, inquiry-based programs have students spend more time developing and executing their own experiments (empirical and theoretical). Students are frequently challenged to develop critical and scientific-thinking skills by developing their own well-reasoned hypothesis and finding ways to test those hypotheses. Projects and experiments are emphasized over textbook learning. Skills are emphasized over breadth of knowledge.
Inquiry-based science emphasizes teaching science as a way of thinking or practice, and therefore tries to get students “doing” science as much as possible -- and not just “learning” it. Students still learn foundational scientific ideas and content (and build on this knowledge progressively); however, relative to expository science instruction, inquiry-based programs have students spend more time developing and executing their own experiments (empirical and theoretical). Students are frequently challenged to develop critical and scientific-thinking skills by developing their own well-reasoned hypothesis and finding ways to test those hypotheses. Projects and experiments are emphasized over textbook learning. Skills are emphasized over breadth of knowledge.
We used the IB framework to teach science, as well as the B.C. goverment curriculum.
Waldorf emphasizes sense-based science. Awareness of the world depends on our capacity to sense and pay attention to the phenomena surrounding us. It also depends on the student being able to organize the world into an understandable experience. In grades one to five students develop an awareness of their environment and their relationship to it through the study of zoology, botany, gardening and farming. This is facilitated through hands-on activities and experiences and these important sensory experiences develop capacities for later observations and the development of scientific concepts. In later grades, the development of concepts calls for flexibility as well as rigour of thought at a time when students are trying to consciously make sense of their world. Building the foundation for these capacities is the goal of the sciences taught in grades six, seven and eight including physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy and meterology.
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
Zoology
Equal Balance
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
We emphasise social justice but the curriculum also touches on traditional.
Literature programs are rooted in the humanities and through experiential learning in multiple subject lessons. Our comprehensive approach discusses fundamental concepts, universal and cultural themes to encourage intellectual flexibility, creative thinking, independent judgement, and moral discernment. The cultural context of stories is further explored with practical work, field trips and theatrical productions. The chosen literature for each grade reflects the childrens' developmental stages and offers lessons to be learned that are directly related to their own evolving awareness of the world and their place within it.
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
Core Knowledge
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.
Usually focused on teaching history and geography at an early age, the core knowledge approach uses story, drama, reading, and discussion to teach about significant people, places, and events. Breadth of content and knowledge is emphasized. The curriculum is often organized according to the underlying logic of the content: history might be taught sequentially, for example (as students move through the grades).
Our IB PYP and MYP programs place an emphasis on theme-based units of inquiry learning. UNISUS International School is a leading co-educational, day and boarding, International Baccalaureate (IB) World School is located in Summerland, British Columbia. With a fully accredited International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and MYP (Candidate) and Primary Years Programme (PYP). UNISUS offers inquiry-based programs for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Unisus is the only program of its kind in the Okanagan Valley and the only boarding school between Vancouver and Saskatchewan.
Our social studies are a balance of the Core Knowledge and the Expanding Communities approaches. In geography, we foster an understanding of the students' own surroundings and an awareness of different cultures and human conditions throughout the world. We give the picture of earth and civilization as being inseparable and sharing a need for sustainability. The school's diversity offers an opportunity for abundant first-hand knowledge of many cultures. The teaching of history lives strongly in story-telling, bringing vivid images and using biographies to illustrate specific eras and the role played by individuals in the context of geography, technological, economical and cultural developments. Students also experience historical eras through music, art, poetry and field trips.
Equal Balance
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
The IB framework emphasis on both perennialism and pragmatism learning
As students move into and adjust to early adolescence in grades seven and eight, teachers nurture their growing capacity for independent critical thought and encourage them to creatively express themselves. They are given biographies of striving individuals who made an impression on the world and took responsibility for their actions. The elements of reasoning and self-reflection are steadily emerging at this age and the curriculum supports this development. The history curriculum covers the Middle Ages, Renaissance, the Age of Discovery, and from the 17th century to modern times focusing on the profound social consequences of the revolutions of several eras. Studying world geography brings together physical, cultural, spiritual, and political conditions to create a vivid picture of the earth as a totality. Our membership in the global community of Waldorf schools supports this perspective.
Equal Balance
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
We offer Spanish language classes at senior levels and Spanish is also incorporated into junior-level classes. We have a full-time languages teacher on staff. The balanced approach is the most effective way to learn - we offer Spanish, starting in the early years.
Students experience a different view of the world and humanity through learning other languages. Differences are expressed in tenses, tonal elements, sounds of vowels and consonants, rhythm, vocabulary and sentence structure. Learning another language contributes to a more complete experience of civilization and the world. It complements individual development by practicing perseverance and strengthening the capacity of observation, flexibility in thinking, and interest in other cultures. German is studied from grades one to five. French begins in grade one and because public school students take French in grade nine, there is a stronger emphasis on French in grades seven and eight. Foreign language teachers work with class teachers to address pedagogical questions and to coordinate with the main lesson work.
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
Information not available
Equal Balance
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.
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
Art, Dance and Drama are all components of our after-school program, CASE, and we have an on-staff part-time art teacher in the school. Art is an important everyday part of K-7 classes, as well. UNISUS is a community guided by three Learning and Teaching Goals: Academic Excellence: where students are continually challenged and excel in their learning within a curriculum rooted in rigorous standards and real-world applications Student Empowerment: where students develop the skills, confidence and resilience to embrace challenges and opportunities. Global Citizenship: where students commit to international mindedness through ethics, global perspectives, communication, leadership through service, and sustainability. These learning and teaching goals are based on research and intention and ensure that UNISUS students are “future ready” and best equipped for our rapidly changing, interdependent world.
The aim of the visual arts program is to support the students’ physical and emotional development and to enrich their academic work through painting, drawing and modelling. Grades 1 to 5 have art lessons once a week reflecting the subject of the main lesson. Artistic work permeates all facets of the main lesson and many subject lessons. As students progress through grades 6 to 8 all artistic work becomes more refined and detailed reflecting the development of the students and the curriculum. By the end of their grade 8 year students have the opportunity to work with a variety of artistic material and gain a comfort level in the artistic realm.
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Light integration
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.
Computers are used in the classroom from time to time, but integrating technology into everything students do is not a dominant focus. Digital literacy is understood to be a legitimate skill in the 21st century, but not one that should distract from teaching the subject at hand, or more fundamental skills and literacies. The idea is today’s students, being “digital natives”, are likely exposed to computers and new media enough outside the classroom: the role of the school, rather, should be to develop competencies that may otherwise get missed.
At UNISUS School our goal is to develop responsible global citizens equipped with the critical thinking and technological literacy skills necessary to participate effectively in the worldwide community of learners. To that end, we offer an innovative Applied Design, Skills and Technologies (ADST) program. The ADST British Columbia curriculum is an experiential, hands-on program of learning through design and creation that includes skills and concepts from traditional and First Peoples practice; from the existing disciplines of Business Education, Information and Communications Technology, and Technology Education; and from new and emerging fields. It fosters the development of the skills and knowledge that will support students in developing practical, creative, and innovative responses to everyday needs and challenges. ADST learning at UNISUS can include 3D modelling, animation, Virtual Reality, product design, photography, stop-motion, computer graphic design, and more!
For the age of our students, the transfer of knowledge and the development of capacities for learning are closely connected to the teacher, not technology. Working with an oral tradition, personal relationships and human interaction are enhanced and the subject becomes alive for the student through the interest, engagement and knowledge of the teacher. This approach allows for the emotional, intellectual and physical engagement of the student and the strengthening of their perseverance and will. For their ages, a computer is considered impersonal compared to the connection they feel to the material when it is experienced in music, poetry, science experiments, story-telling and creating their own main lesson books by hand. Students in the upper grades are given the opportunity to use the internet and other resources for research projects. Other media are occasionally used to provide a visual impression or illustration related to a main lesson.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
As the only independent private IB World school in Canada’s Okanagan Valley, we have a unique chance to ignite a passion and respect for outdoor exploration and recreation. Our Outdoor Education curriculum instills confidence, resilience, and life skills that students will carry beyond their time at UNISUS. Based in beautiful Summerland, British Columbia, the UNISUS outdoor education program has the immediate advantage of the renowned sunny Okanagan climate and four-season outdoor activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and ziplining. With direct access to some of the best hiking trails, lakes, and ski hills in the world, UNISUS students have the opportunity to acquire a lifelong appreciation for active living and unparalleled outdoor experiences. https://www.unisus.ca/outdoor-education
Physical movement is closely tied to neurological development and forms a fundamental component of a Waldorf curriculum. In the early grades, stepping, rhythm, clapping and recitation are part of the daily routine during main and subject lessons. Movement classes include activities and games to strengthen individual balance, spatial awareness, gross motor muscles and fine motor movements. In the upper grades, students take part in skiing and snowboarding at a local ski hill and use a rented gym where team sports are taught. Grade 5 participates in the Greek Olympics in New York State and grade 8 students have swimming and springboard diving lessons. In grade 7 and 8 an annual basketball tournament is held in Toronto with neighbouring Waldorf Schools. Starting as early as preschool, our students spend abundant time outside in our natural playground which includes 5 acres of forest with trails.
Waldorf
Play-based programs are the most common type of preschool and Kindergarten, and are founded on the belief young children learn best through play. Largely open-ended and minimally structured, play-based programs aim to develop social skills and a love of attending school. “Pre-academic” skills are taught, but in a more indirect way than at, say, an Academic program: through children playing in different “stations” set up around the classroom, which children choose on their own volition. Stations often contain an indirect lesson or developmental goal. Play-based classrooms are highly social and active.
Highly group-oriented and with a strong emphasis on creative and imaginative play, Waldorf preschool and Kindergarten programs have very little to no emphasis on academics. A Waldorf environment will often feel more like a home than a traditional classroom -- the goal being to instill comfort and and a sense of predictability in students’ day. This emphasis on comfort and predictability also manifests through a heavy use of repetition: for example, teachers might read the same story multiple days in a row. Waldorf schools ask parents to refrain from offering children TV or computers at home, and aim to develop in children a connection to the natural world. If you want to learn more about Waldorf education, check out our comprehensive guide.
Unisus IB World School Junior Kindergarten At UNISUS, we believe that igniting a love for learning and a passion for making a positive impact starts at the beginning of each child’s education. The structured, play-based approach of our Early Years Program encourages the natural wonder and curiosity in each child and introduces the youngest members of our UNISUS community to a lifelong journey of learning. The Early Years Program is currently available for learners ages 3 - 5 years.
Children and parents make an immediate connection to the nurturing environment of our early childhood classrooms. Teachers and assistants enhance the deep sense of wonder, joy and imagination of young children with enriching stories and activities. We support cognitive engagement through play, the true ‘work’ of the child, to create a love of learning, problem-solving skills and creativity. Social skills are developed through group activities, often outdoors in our natural playground and forest trails. Our preschool is licensed by the provincial government and catered lunches are provided to full day kindergarten and preschool students.
Standard-enriched
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.
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.
Learning at Unisus is personalized. Each student's learning plan is carefully tailored to the need and interests of each student with lesson planning guided by IB and BC Curriculum. IB takes the approach to teaching and learning to the next level. We also offer a B.C. government Diploma (Dogwood) program.
Information not available
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.
NURTURING A LOVE OF LEARNING AND CREATIVITY Looking for an education that's out of the ordinary? Unisus School is a Pre - K to Grade 12 day and boarding school in Canada's Okanagan, offering the International Baccalaureate program + the B.C. Diploma (Dogwood) with a strong focus on outdoor education, technology and entrepreneurship. Everyone knows each other’s name in our safe, tight-knit, and inclusive community: children never get lost in the crowd. Every single student is known, accepted, encouraged, and supported to discover their voice, true self, and potential to shine. Small class sizes and dedicated IB teachers (most of whom have lived and taught overseas) mean your child will never be just a face in the crowd!
We do not see school culture as needing to be exclusively either rigorous or supportive. Our culture is rigorous but also balanced with respect and support for the three stages of childhood development. This means our academic expectations revolve around the specific needs of each stage and do not require students to be rushed through childhood. Our children are engaged with activities of interest that are relevant to their current development needs. At each stage, our teachers aim to provide balance for the child's gifts and challenges, cultivating an enthusiasm for learning and an age-appropriate interest in the world.
"We intentionally avoid all forms of public distinction between students in terms of academic performance."
"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.
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Not applicable
Not applicable
With a vision to be a leader in global education and prepare students for an ever-changing world, UNISUS supports students to become globally-minded citizens, critical thinkers, and empowered to make a positive change in the world. Four foundational pillars anchor the school: The IB, Outdoor Education, Technology & Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Small and personalized, UNISUS places the learner at the core of the school experience.
The Waldorf curriculum and teaching methods are designed to nurture intellectual flexibility, creative thinking, independent judgement, moral discernment, refined written and oral communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively. Children will have the same teacher over several years, sometimes from grade one to grade eight, to allow a deeper support and understanding of each student's needs. It is the goal of a Waldorf teacher to cultivate a sense of wonder and to inspire children to embrace life with enthusiasm, initiative, and purpose.
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
1 - 11
K - 12
30%
0%
$3,000
$0
70%
90%
JK, SK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Yes: grades Preschool - 11
Yes: grades Preschool - 8
No
No
No
No
Yes: grades K - 11
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
No
No
Yes
Where you send your child to school is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent – thank you for making UNISUS part of that decision. At UNISUS, we inspire our students to be globally-minded citizens and critical thinkers through Academic Excellence, Student Empowerment, and Global Citizenship. We are an International Baccalaureate World School uniquely located in beautiful Summerland, B.C., Canada, and are proud to be one of the only IB World Boarding Schools in British Columbia. We offer both an IB Diploma and/or the B.C. Diploma (Dogwood) stream (new for 2023-2024!) We look forward to touring you through our campus and sharing the benefits and opportunities that come from a UNISUS education.
Please visit www.unisus.ca and apply online. All applicants will be date and time stamped. As our classes are at capacity in many grades, only full applicants will be considered for the wait list if applicable.
Refer to our website for application forms.
