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Trusted by families since 1998.

AN OUR KIDS REPORT:Vancouver Waldorf School vs. Renfrew Educational Services

one-to-one comparison:

View Vancouver Waldorf School's full report
VS.
View Renfrew Educational Services's full report

  • SCHOOL LOCATION

    Distance From

    Map

    Address

    Address

    2725 St. Christophers Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7K 2B6, Canada

    2050 – 21 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 6S5, Canada

    Distance

    Distance

    7,656.2 km

    7,241.5 km

  • SCHOOL OVERVIEW

    We have limited information on Vancouver Waldorf School as they are currently not registered with us.
    Request information

    Basics

    Basics

    Founded

    N/A

    1974

    Enrolment

    N/A

    550

    Grades

    N/A

    Preschool to 6

    Gender

    N/A

    Coed

    Living arrangements

    N/A

    Day

    Language of instruction

    N/A

    English

    Faith Based

    N/A

    School focus

    N/A

    Academic

    Developmental Priorities

    N/A

    Balanced
    Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
    Social
    The goal is to cultivate "socially aware and active citizens, motivated to change the world (or their community) for the better."

    Academics

    Academics

    Curriculum

    N/A

    Traditional

    Curriculum pace

    N/A

    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.

    Academic culture

    N/A

    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.

    Avg. Class Size

    N/A

    Varies

    Special needs support

    N/A

    Developmental, Behavioral

    Gifted learner support

    N/A

    Preschool/K curriculum

    N/A

    Play-based
    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.

    Tuition

    Tuition

    Day Tuition

    N/A

    $1,000 to $4,500

    Boarding Tuition

    N/A

    Financial aid (FA)

    N/A

    No

    Students on FA

    N/A

    0%

    Eligible grades for FA

    N/A

    None

    Median FA package size

    N/A

    $0

    Enrollment

    Enrollment

    Avg. enrollment per grade

    N/A

    55

    Percent in boarding

    N/A

    0%

    Admissions

    Admissions

    Admissions rate

    N/A

    0%

    Day entry years

    information not available

    information not available

    Boarding entry years

    information not available

    information not available

    Day admissions deadline

    N/A

    Rolling

    Boarding admissions deadline

    N/A

    Not available

    Interview required?

    N/A

    No

    SSAT required

    N/A

    No

  • School’s perspective

    We have limited information on Vancouver Waldorf School as they are currently not registered with us.
    Request information

    Who are you, as a school?

    Who are you, as a school?

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "Renfrew Educational Services provides specialized education and integrated therapy for children from preschool to Grade 6. With multiple campuses across Calgary, Renfrew supports children with disabilities through small class sizes, onsite therapists, and personalized programs tailored to each child’s strengths and challenges. Families turn to Renfrew for its inclusive community, expert staff, and its longstanding commitment to helping every child grow, thrive, and reach their full potential."

    • Specialized education for children with disabilities
    • Integrated therapy and learning model
    • Individualized programs tailored to each child
    • Small class sizes with expert staff support
    • Inclusive, strengths-based approach
    • Multiple purpose-built campuses in Calgary
    • Speech, occupational, and physical therapy onsite
    • Deep focus on emotional and social development
    • Decades of experience supporting unique learners
    • A community where every child can thrive

    What does school_name do differently or uniquely well?

    What do you do differently and uniquely well?

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "Renfrew Educational Services exists solely to support children with disabilities—and that focus shapes everything we do. What makes Renfrew unique is our fully integrated model of education and therapy. Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and physical therapists work hand-in-hand with educators every day, within the classroom setting, to build personalized programs that meet each child’s academic, developmental, and emotional needs. This close collaboration ensures we see the whole child, not just a diagnosis. Our small class sizes, purpose-built spaces, and highly trained staff create a nurturing, inclusive environment where students are understood and supported. Families don’t just find a school here—they find a team that believes in their child, adapts to their strengths, and works tirelessly to help them thrive."

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

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

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "At Renfrew, we’ve made the deliberate choice to focus entirely on supporting children with disabilities. That means we put our time, energy, and resources into building a highly personalized and therapeutic learning environment, instead of offering traditional extras like competitive sports teams or a wide range of clubs. We’ve chosen smaller class sizes, more support staff, and purpose-built spaces—because that’s what our students need most. You won’t find a one-size-fits-all curriculum here. We’ve let go of rigid academic timelines so we can meet each child where they’re at, and help them grow at their own pace. Every decision we make is centered on inclusion, flexibility, and whole-child support. The tradeoff? A school experience that may look a little different—but feels exactly right for the families we serve."

    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?

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    Information not available

    What type of student is a good fit for school_name?

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

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "Renfrew is designed specifically for children with disabilities who need individualized support to learn, grow, and connect. Students who thrive here may have complex learning needs, developmental delays, or require therapeutic supports that go beyond what traditional classrooms can offer. There’s no one “type” of learner we serve—our programs are built to adapt to each child’s strengths, challenges, and pace. What makes a child a good fit is simply this: they’ll benefit from a warm, supportive team that truly understands them. Families who get the most out of Renfrew are those looking for a collaborative approach—they’re open to communication, trust in the expertise of our staff, and value progress over perfection. Our school is a place for children to feel safe, seen, and capable—and for families to feel like they’re not in it alone."

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

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

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "Renfrew is a specialized school designed specifically for children with disabilities who require a highly individualized and therapeutic approach to learning. Families looking for a traditional academic program, standardized grade-level benchmarks, or a full range of extracurriculars may not find what they’re seeking here. We don’t offer competitive sports, gifted programming, or a fast-paced academic track. Instead, our focus is on developmental progress, communication, social-emotional growth, and creating a sense of belonging. Renfrew is also not a fit for students who do not have a diagnosed disability requiring therapeutic support. Families who value close collaboration with staff, flexibility in expectations, and a team-based approach tend to thrive here. Those seeking a more conventional school environment, or who prioritize academic acceleration over individualized growth, may be better supported elsewhere."

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

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

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "Families choose Renfrew because they’re looking for more than just a school—they’re looking for a team that truly understands their child. Many come to us after feeling unsupported or overlooked in mainstream settings. What sets Renfrew apart is our integrated model: therapists and educators work side-by-side to create a seamless, individualized program that supports both learning and development. Families often say they felt seen for the first time during our intake process. They value our smaller class sizes, the level of specialized expertise, and the calm, inclusive environment we’ve created. Parents also appreciate that Renfrew isn’t trying to fit their child into a box—we build the box around the child. Ultimately, they choose us because they want their child to feel safe, supported, and capable—and they trust Renfrew to deliver on that promise."

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

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

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "Renfrew is widely known as the school in Calgary for children with disabilities who need specialized support. In the public eye, we’re recognized for our deep expertise, compassionate approach, and long-standing commitment to inclusive education. Families, professionals, and community partners often describe us as a trusted, go-to resource for children with complex needs—especially when other settings haven’t worked. We’re seen as a place where children are met with patience, care, and a genuine understanding of who they are. There’s a sense that Renfrew “gets it”—that we’re not trying to make children fit into a system, but instead are shaping a system around them. While we may not be widely known for traditional academics or extracurriculars, we’re respected for what we do offer: hope, progress, and possibility for children who deserve to thrive."

    What aspect of school_name is underappreciated?

    What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    Information not available

    What do families find surprising about school_name?

    What might families find surprising about your school?

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    Information not available

    What improvements or changes has school_name made recently?

    What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "One of the most significant and exciting changes at Renfrew is the construction of our new Legacy School, set to open in fall 2027. This purpose-built facility will serve children with disabilities from Preschool through Grade 12, bringing together decades of expertise into one state-of-the-art, fully accessible learning environment. Every detail—from specialized classrooms and therapy spaces to inclusive playgrounds and sensory-friendly design—has been thoughtfully planned to support the needs of our students. The Legacy School will allow us to expand our reach, increase enrollment capacity, and continue delivering our integrated model of education and therapy in a setting built entirely around the children we serve. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation, inclusion, and providing the very best for families who trust us with their child’s growth."

    How will school_name change in the next 5 years?

    How will your school change in the next 5 years?

    RENFREW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

    "Over the next five years, the opening and growth of our new Legacy School will transform the way we serve children with disabilities in Calgary. For the first time in our history, Renfrew will offer programming from Preschool through Grade 12 under one roof—allowing for a truly seamless, continuous educational experience. This purpose-built facility will enable us to expand our reach, increase enrollment, and deepen the level of individualized support we offer students. We’re also planning to grow our mental health services, enhance staff training in inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming practices, and continue refining our integrated education and therapy model. These changes will strengthen our ability to meet students where they’re at, for longer, with greater consistency and care. Everything we’re building is designed to give children with disabilities the environment, support, and community they need to grow and thrive."




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