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For more than 20 years we’ve worked with leading education and child development experts to explore and improve the school-choice process. The result is a robust suite of tools—used by over 2.6 million families every year—which enable you to choose your best-fit school among the 350+ profiled on this site.
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On this page, we cover private and independent schools in British Columbia (BC) that offer gifted schools, programs, and support. This includes schools in Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Burnaby, and Richmond. Find the right school for your gifted child (there is also gifted testing in BC).
For a more complete guide to gifted education, including a discussion of young gifted children and gifted tests, start with our introductory guide.
Listen to the Our Kids gifted programs podcast38:22 |
Private schools are not obligated to support gifted children with special programs. Many private schools don't—even ones with strong academic reputations. The schools listed on this page, however, do. We organize the schools into groups: dedicated gifted schools, schools with dedicated gifted classes, and schools offering in-class gifted support. Then, in the fourth group, we identify schools that don't offer formal gifted support but have accelerated curricula for all their students.
These are self-contained gifted schools, where 100% of the students are gifted. Teachers and staff can focus on tailoring the environment to gifted students, without compromise.
| School Name | Pace | Cost | |
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Canada Royal Arts High School (est. 2017)
Vancouver, British Columbia We are an arts-based, hands-on, creative high school in Vancouver (grades 08 to 12) that has already established a record of excellence in getting students admitted to some of the best arts universities in North America. View profile |
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$7,800 to $19,200
View profile |
These schools have a separate, dedicated class (or classes) where 100% of the students are gifted. These gifted classes can be either full-time or part-time, and exist in parallel to regular, non-gifted classes.
| School Name | Pace | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
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St. Michaels University School (est. 1906)
Victoria, British Columbia Independent Kindergarten to Grade 12 boarding and day school in Victoria, BC, Canada focusing on university and life preparation. Find out how a SMUS education can benefit your family. View profile |
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$21,095 to $75,360
View profile |
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Shawnigan Lake School (est. 1916)
Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Beginning in Grade 8, our unique Shawnigan journey purposefully guides students through a distinct, unparalleled and bold educational experience on our stunning waterfront campus on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. View profile |
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$31,625 to $79,630
View profile |
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Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada (est. 2017)
Kamloops, British Columbia MLWS offers a unique high school model - a high school located on a university campus. We offer “dual acceptance” that allows for students in grades 11 and 12 to receive conditional acceptance to our partner university. View profile |
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$22,950 to $38,750
View profile |
These schools offer support for gifted students within the regular classroom. Gifted students stay with regular learners, while receiving special, individualized programming.
| School Name | Pace | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
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St. Margaret's School (est. 1908)
Victoria, British Columbia St. Margaret's School offers inter-disciplinary and experiential learning from JK3 to Grade 12. Confidence, leadership and academic rigor lead to student success. At SMS, 'She Can'! View profile |
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$17,200 to $69,100
View profile |
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Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School (est. 1973)
North Vancouver, British Columbia Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School is a centre of excellence in developmentally informed instruction that empowers children with learning disabilities in a passionate, progressive and inspiring learning environment. View profile |
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$26,900 to $27,900
View profile |
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Brookes Westshore (est. 2009)
Victoria, British Columbia Brookes Westshore, an IB World School on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC, offers grades 4 to 12 and both day and boarding programmes, with an average class size of 12 students. View profile |
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$9,500 to $52,550
View profile |
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Unisus School (est. 2016)
Summerland, British Columbia UNISUS was founded by the leaders of the top Private Schools in BC. Based on IB Education/Innovation/Technology, Entrepreneurship/ Outdoor Education. Boarding, Sports Academies and Global Partnerships/Opportunities. View profile |
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$11,275 to $53,500
View profile |
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ArtsCalibre Academy (est. 2011)
Victoria, British Columbia ArtsCalibre Academy empowers students through creativity, mindfulness and leadership. We offer comprehensive educational programs for Preschool through Grade 12. View profile |
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$1,600 to $6,250
View profile |
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Mulgrave School (est. 1993)
West Vancouver, British Columbia Mulgrave School offers programmes from Preschool to Grade 12 in West Vancouver to all genders. Its average class size is 20 students with teacher to student ratios of 1:8. View profile |
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$20,000 to $25,000
View profile |
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Venture Academy Troubled Teens Program (ON)
Barrie Area, Ontario Venture Academy is a therapeutic treatment and education program for students who may be struggling with ADHD, learning challenges, underachieving, behavioural issues, and a variety of clinical diagnoses. View profile |
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Varies
View profile |
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UWC Canada (est. 1974)
Victoria, British Columbia The UWC National Committee of Canada and Pearson College UWC represent the United World Colleges in Canada. We are seeking daring young Canadians who aspire to make the world a better place. View profile |
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Varies
View profile |
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Brockton School (est. 2004)
North Vancouver, British Columbia Brockton School is an independent, co-ed, non-denominational, IB World School. Brockton hosts an Early Learning Years program, a Junior School, and a Senior School, with students from Junior Kindergarten to grade 12. View profile |
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$22,600 to $25,100
View profile |
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The Maria Montessori School (est. 1991)
Surrey, British Columbia Authentic Montessori Preschool. Students completing our 3 year program at The Maria Montessori School test extremely well. We balance academics, exploration and skills guided by your child's natural interests. View profile |
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$2,500 to $4,000
View profile |
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Alcuin College (est. 2012)
North Vancouver, British Columbia Our rigorous, personalized programme and strong teacher-student relationships enable us to cultivate each student's talents, helping them build on strengths and discover the joy of learning. View profile |
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$18,500 to $23,000
View profile |
These schools offer no formal program for gifted students, but have an accelerated baseline curriculum. This means all students—gifted or not—do the work of older peers at other schools. For highly gifted learners (those in the 99th percentile), this alone is likely not enough to support their needs.
| School Name | Pace | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Meadowridge School (est. 1985)
Maple Ridge, British Columbia Meadowridge is an IB Continuum World School that supports the development of the whole child in a safe, supportive and challenging environment. View profile |
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$24,500 to $34,500
View profile |
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Pythagoras Academy (est. 2013)
Richmond, British Columbia We emphasize critical thinking, as well as innovation, inspiring joy, and curiosity. View profile |
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$20,040 to $22,400
View profile |
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Glarea Elevated Learning (est. 2020)
Surrey, British Columbia We understand the importance of developing a well rounded individual. Our Tech, Art and Sport Expert Streams are integrated with the Academic curriculum to amplify our students’ growth into capable and confident adults. View profile |
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$17,000 to $18,250
View profile |
Our gifted education guide has advice specific to finding gifted schools and programs. For more general advice (on how to evaluate school options), we recommend you check out our guide to choosing a school and our expert advice on choosing a school. You can also read our guides to questions to ask private schools and questions students get asked at school interviews.
Private school expos can be a great way to find the right school for your child. We have annual private school expos in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, and Halton-peel. These expos allow you to speak with many private schools, some of which have gifted programs—all in the same place. Find a gifted school near you.
Word-of-mouth can also help you find the right school. The Our Kids parent discussion forum allows you to discuss gifted education, gifted schools, and other related topics. Join our large community of parents, educational experts, and school officials, to discuss educational options for your child.
Open houses are another effective way to learn more about a school. For some general advice on open house visits, go here. If you have specific questions about gifted schools and programs, read our main gifted education guide.
| School name | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
Pythagoras Academy | September 21, 2021 9:30 am | Pythagoras Academy 8671 Odlin Crescent Richmond British Columbia V6X 1G2 |
Pythagoras Academy | October 13, 2021 9:30 am | Pythagoras Academy 8671 Odlin Cresent Richmond BC V6X1G1 |
Pythagoras Academy | October 19, 2021 12:00 am | |
St. Margaret's School | October 22, 2021 12:00 am | |
St. Margaret's School | November 25, 2021 12:00 am | |
St. Margaret's School | February 10, 2022 12:00 am |
The cost of gifted schools in BC tends to reflect private school tuition in general. Private schools usually range from $5,000 to $30,000 per year.
There are a number of affordable private and independent schools for gifted children. Inexpensive schools can often provide a great education by focusing on the classroom basics. You don't need to spend a fortune on an education for your gifted child: the key is getting them specialized support.
That said, more costly schools often provide a wider range of in-class and extracurricular resources. They also tend to be larger and more established. Yet, for most schools, the largest expense is teacher salaries.
Many schools offer financial aid (also known as "bursaries", "tuition relief," or "tuition assistance") and scholarships. Financial aid is needs-based, while scholarships are given for merit (whether it be academic, athletic, or something else). Read our guide to financial aid and scholarships. We also discuss preschool costs and funding in particular.
Often, the larger and more expensive private schools provide the most aid. Even some middle-class families receive aid from private schools. So be sure to ask a school about it—no matter your financial situation.
Below, you'll find the range of costs at British Columbia private schools with gifted programs:
| Tuition (day school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | $17,200 to $32,200 | |||
St. Michaels University School | $21,095 to $43,995 | 20% | K - 12 | $11,685 |
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School | $25,150 to $26,200 | |||
Brookes Westshore | $9,500 to $16,400 | 10% | 7 - 12 | $5,000 |
Shawnigan Lake School | $28,500 | 25% | 8 - 12 | |
Unisus School | $12,500 to $15,500 | 30% | 1 - 11 | $3,000 |
Canada Royal Arts High School | $16,000 to $21,000 | 2% | 10 - 12 | $3 |
Mulgrave School | $19,980 to $24,820 | 5% | Preschool - 12 | $15,000 |
UWC Canada | 75% | 12 | $25,000 | |
Brockton School | $19,100 to $22,200 | JK - 12 | ||
Glarea Elevated Learning | $17,000 to $18,250 |
| Founding date | Endowment | Admissions rate | Enrollment | Enrollment per grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | 1908 | 85% | 360 | 26 | |
Meadowridge School | 1985 | 660 | |||
St. Michaels University School | 1906 | $11,200,000 | 1003 | 77 | |
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School | 1973 | 200 | 15 | ||
Brookes Westshore | 2009 | 95% | 300 | 43 | |
Shawnigan Lake School | 1916 | $13,500,000 | 60% | 510 | 102 |
Unisus School | 2016 | 70% | 230 | 16 | |
ArtsCalibre Academy | 2011 | 100% | 180 | 23 | |
Canada Royal Arts High School | 2017 | 35 | 12 | ||
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | 2017 | 75% | 105 | 35 | |
Pythagoras Academy | 2013 | 200 | 18 | ||
Mulgrave School | 1993 | $0 | 18% | 950 | 68 |
Venture Academy Troubled Teens Program (ON) | 100% | 1 | 0 | ||
UWC Canada | 1974 | $0 | 25% | 200 | 200 |
Brockton School | 2004 | 300 | |||
Glarea Elevated Learning | 2020 | 80% | 90 | 15 | |
The Maria Montessori School | 1991 | 85% | 20 | ||
Alcuin College | 2012 | 90 |
Primary curriculum | Secondary curriculum | Curriculum pace | Academic culture | Average class size | Language immersion | Special needs support | Tech integration |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | Traditional | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 10 to 20 | No support | Medium integration | ||
Meadowridge School | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Accelerated | Rigorous | No support | Medium integration | ||
St. Michaels University School | Progressive | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | No support | Medium integration | |||
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School | Traditional | Student-paced | Supportive | 5 to 18 | Special needs school | |||
Brookes Westshore | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 12 to 18 | No support | Light integration | |
Shawnigan Lake School | Traditional | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 17 | Withdrawal Assistance | Heavy integration | ||
Unisus School | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Heavy integration | ||
ArtsCalibre Academy | Progressive | Reggio Emilia | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 10 to 20 | No support | Light integration | |
Canada Royal Arts High School | Progressive | Accelerated | Supportive | 5 to 15 | Indirect Support | Medium integration | ||
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | Traditional | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 10 to 20 | Indirect Support | Heavy integration | ||
Pythagoras Academy | Liberal Arts | Reggio Emilia | Accelerated | 8 to 15 | No support | Medium integration | ||
Mulgrave School | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Accelerated | Rigorous | 14 to 22 | No support | Heavy integration | |
Venture Academy Troubled Teens Program (ON) | Traditional | Student-paced | Special needs school | Light integration | ||||
UWC Canada | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 6 to 16 | Indirect Support | ||
Brockton School | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | Indirect Support | |||
Glarea Elevated Learning | Progressive | Accelerated | Supportive | 15 | No support | Heavy integration | ||
The Maria Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 18 to 20 | No support | |||
Alcuin College | Liberal Arts | 8 to 12 | Indirect Support |
Legend:
St. Margaret's School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meadowridge School | ||||||||||||||||||||
St. Michaels University School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shawnigan Lake School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | ||||||||||||||||||||
ArtsCalibre Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Canada Royal Arts High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pythagoras Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mulgrave School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Venture Academy Troubled Teens Program (ON) | ||||||||||||||||||||
UWC Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brockton School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Glarea Elevated Learning | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Maria Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Alcuin College |
| Admission deadline | SSAT required | Interview required | Acceptance rate | Next open house | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | Preschool - 12 | 85% | Oct 22, 2021 | |
Meadowridge School | Day: rolling | 6 - 12 | JK - 12 | ||
St. Michaels University School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | K - 12 | |||
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School | Day: rolling | ||||
Brookes Westshore | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | 6 - 12 | 95% | ||
Shawnigan Lake School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | 8 - 12 | 60% | ||
Unisus School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | Preschool - 11 | 70% | ||
ArtsCalibre Academy | Day: rolling | Preschool - 12 | 100% | ||
Canada Royal Arts High School | Day: rolling | ||||
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling Homestay: rolling | 10 - 12 | 75% | ||
Pythagoras Academy | Day: rolling | JK - 8 | Sep 21, 2021 | ||
Mulgrave School | Day: rolling | 6 - 11 | 6 - 11 | 18% | |
Venture Academy Troubled Teens Program (ON) | Homestay: rolling | 100% | |||
UWC Canada | Boarding: Nov 15, 2017 | 12 | 25% | ||
Brockton School | Day: rolling | ||||
Glarea Elevated Learning | Day: rolling | K - 12 | 80% | ||
The Maria Montessori School | Day: rolling | Preschool - K | 85% | ||
Alcuin College | K - 12 |
Nursery/Toddler | Preschool | JK | SK | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | |||||||||||||||||
Meadowridge School | |||||||||||||||||
St. Michaels University School | |||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | |||||||||||||||||
Shawnigan Lake School | |||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | 90% | 95% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 70% | 70% | 60% | 25% | ||||
ArtsCalibre Academy | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | ||||||||
Canada Royal Arts High School | |||||||||||||||||
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | 75% | ||||||||||||||||
Pythagoras Academy | 90% | 90% | 80% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | ||||||
Mulgrave School | 23% | 9% | 11% | 25% | 20% | ||||||||||||
Brockton School | |||||||||||||||||
Glarea Elevated Learning | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | |||||||||||
The Maria Montessori School | 95% | 15% |
Nursery/Toddler | Preschool | JK | SK | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | |||||||||||||||||
St. Michaels University School | |||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | |||||||||||||||||
Shawnigan Lake School | |||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | 80% | 70% | 70% | 60% | 25% | ||||||||||||
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | 75% | 75% | 75% | ||||||||||||||
Venture Academy Troubled Teens Program (ON) | |||||||||||||||||
UWC Canada | 25% |
| Math | Science | Literature | Humanities Social Sciences | Foreign Languages | Fine Arts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Creative |
Meadowridge School | Discovery Math | Inquiry | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | ||
St. Michaels University School | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School | Traditional Math | |||||
Brookes Westshore | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Perennialism | Communicative | Creative |
Shawnigan Lake School | Traditional Math | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Communicative | ||
Unisus School | Equal Balance | Inquiry | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Creative |
ArtsCalibre Academy | Equal Balance | Inquiry | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | |
Canada Royal Arts High School | Equal Balance | Inquiry | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Communicative | Creative |
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
Pythagoras Academy | Equal Balance | Inquiry | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
Mulgrave School | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Communicative | Equal Balance | |
Venture Academy Troubled Teens Program (ON) | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | We don't offer Foreign Languages | We don't offer Fine Arts |
UWC Canada | ||||||
Brockton School | ||||||
Glarea Elevated Learning | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | |
The Maria Montessori School | Equal Balance | We don't offer Foreign Languages | We don't offer Fine Arts | |||
Alcuin College |
Student council | School newspaper | Yearbook | Radio club | Photograph club | Art club |
Choir | Band | Dance club | Yoga club | Drama club | Debate club |
Chess club | Math club | Science club | Robotics club | Computer club | Environmental club | Outdoor club | Community service |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meadowridge School | ||||||||||||||||||||
St. Michaels University School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shawnigan Lake School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | ||||||||||||||||||||
ArtsCalibre Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Canada Royal Arts High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pythagoras Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mulgrave School | ||||||||||||||||||||
UWC Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brockton School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Glarea Elevated Learning |
Badminton | Baseball | Basketball | Cricket | Equestrian | Football | Golf | Gymnastics | Ice Hockey | Lacrosse | Rowing | Rugby | Soccer | Softball | Squash | Swimming | Tennis | Track and Field | Volleyball | Wrestling |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Margaret's School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meadowridge School | ||||||||||||||||||||
St. Michaels University School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shawnigan Lake School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | ||||||||||||||||||||
ArtsCalibre Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Canada Royal Arts High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maple Leaf World Schools - Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pythagoras Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mulgrave School | ||||||||||||||||||||
UWC Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brockton School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Glarea Elevated Learning |
There's no question about it: gifted children have different needs than most students. Gifted learners often have such advanced abilities that they stand out in the classroom. This means a standard approach won't work. When these students don't receive the specialized programming they need, they won't feel challenged.
This often leads to boredom. It can also sometimes lead to behavioural and social issues.
If you have a gifted child, you'll be faced with several questions:
You can also consider alternative options. For instance, some gifted children enter language immersion programs, International Baccalaureate programs, special needs schools, advanced placement courses (if they're older), or Montessori schools (if they're younger).
To learn about these options and more, in far more detail, read our introductory guide to gifted education. After doing so, you can come back to this page to explore your specific school options in BC.
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Read our advice guide on choosing a school for a gifted child and for kids with other traits. To get school-choice advice customized to your child's unique traits, create a child profile through your user account. |
Private schools are not required by law to provide support for gifted children—and many don't. On the other hand, some private schools offer highly tailored programs for gifted learners. In the end, though, it's up to you to ensure a school is the right fit for your gifted child. The list of private schools on this page (above) is a good place to start your search.
