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British Columbia gifted schools

Find the top gifted schools and programs in B.C.

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.

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.

2. Choosing a school

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

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.

Parent discussion forum

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.

Upcoming open house events

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.

3. Tuition at gifted schools in British Columbia

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:

Institutional metrics

Academics

Special needs support

Course pedagogies

Extracurricular clubs

Extracurricular sports (competitive)

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:

• Does your child need specialized support in the classroom?
• Is a private or public school a better option?
• Is your child best-suited to a dedicated gifted school or class? Or can their giftedness be accommodated through in-class adaptations, made in a regular classroom?
• Should you choose a program that emphasizes (1) acceleration (moving quickly) or (2) enrichment (depth and breadth of studies)? Might it be a good idea for your child to skip a grade?

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.

Private school policies

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.