The regions Aspengrove School offers busing from are:
Additional notes: Bus service is provided from Qualicum (North Bus) to South Nanaimo (South Bus). Buses run every school day; in case of bad weather listen to The Wave FM (102.3 FM in Nanaimo) or check www.aspengroveschool.ca for school closures. BUS FEES FOR 2022-2023: • Annual – $770 (10 months) • Monthly – $100 ($50 for Dec, Mar, Jun) • Tickets (book of 10) – $30 *Please note that if the bus is at maximum capacity, full-time riders will be given first priority.*
How we see Aspengrove School
As an International Baccalaureate World School offering Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes, Aspengrove School sets its students up for stellar academic careers while enriching their social and emotional development in varied and exciting ways. Aspengrove prides itself on taking learning outside. Its extensive grounds offer hiking and cross-country ski trails, 40 acres of fields to play in and explore, and an outdoor lab. The school’s outdoor education program provides its eager and engaged students with leadership training, wilderness safety, risk management, and exploration of local wilderness areas. Extracurriculars include a variety of competitive and recreational pursuits including equestrian sports, canoeing/kayaking, and STEM, as well as basketball, track and field, arts, music, and other activities. These programs and others seek to draw out students’ natural gifts and talents while challenging them to grow in a supportive and creative environment.
How Aspengrove School sees itself
"Aspengrove School is the first & only independent, non-denominational, co-educational school in Nanaimo, BC. We offer the International Baccalaureate Curriculum to students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Our mission is to challenge & inspire our students to act with purpose as compassionate, knowledgeable, & principled global citizens; to respect the unique qualities of others; to challenge the creative mind; to pursue their passions; & to develop innovative, critical thinking through a 'Spirit of Inquiry'."
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Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Jo-Anne Kingstone, Head of School
What are our greatest hopes for our children? That they have every opportunity to discover who they are, what they are passionate about, and how they can live a meaningful life and contribute to the world.
At Aspengrove School our purpose is to see these hopes realized.
How do we do this?
With dedicated teachers who bring their passions and expertise to the classroom—teachers who place students at the centre of every learning experience; teachers who cherish each student’s unique potential and strive to enrich and nurture each student’s talents. Our students are known and loved!
With an academic program that is rich and relevant, that invites curiosity, inspires creativity, and encourages critical thinking and collaboration. We provide an environment where students can develop the skills, knowledge and habits of mind that will equip them for an ever-changing, dynamic world. Our students are lifelong learners.
With a community that provides a place for young people to explore and become their very best selves. Whether through participation in the arts, music, sports, service projects, outdoor pursuits, international trips or the myriad of other opportunities here, students learn the value of getting involved and making a contribution. Our students are engaged, community-minded, global citizens.
We invite you to come visit us—take a tour, visit classes, meet some of our students and teachers, chat with the Admissions team. We are very proud of our school! Find out how we can work together to see your hopes realized.
Most big schools provide your extroverted child with plenty of social opportunities and the ability to interact with different peer groups with a wide range of personalities, interests, values, etc. A larger student population and more extracurriculars—including activities like team sports, arts programs, and debate—will give them a broader scope of opportunities to participate in events that scratch their interpersonal itch. “This may also give them the opportunity to hone certain skills,” say Ann and Karen Wolff of Wolff Educational Services. “For instance, they might run for student council to develop leadership and public speaking skills and learn to be a voice for other students.”
Throughout the continuum—from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to the Diploma Programme (DP)—the IB offers plenty of group work, projects, and activities, which can be great for extroverts who often enjoy social and collaborative learning. Also, “Since IB schools have a strong emphasis on community service and activism, your child will have great opportunities to harness their outgoing and collaborative personality,” says Stacey Jacobs, Director of Clear Path Educational Consulting. These schools will also give your child the chance to interact and spend time with a bright, motivated, and ambitious group of kids who may have interests similar to them.
However, given the challenging curriculum and heavy workload of the IB, it can sometimes leave less time for socializing. This makes it especially important to ask about social opportunities at the school, including the ability to interact with different peer groups, both in class and out.
Make sure any prospective school, no matter what size, provides the right social environment to help your child feel at home, make friends, and develop confidence. This is especially important at big schools, which are sometimes more socially overwhelming and challenging for an introvert to find their bearings in. Of course, “Because larger schools usually have a more diverse student population, introverted kids are more likely to find a small group of people like them, a peer group they can relate to and find acceptance from,” says Dona Matthews, Toronto-based education consultant and co-author (with Joanne Foster) of Beyond Intelligence.
Bigger schools often have a broader scope of extracurricular activities, which is another way to help your child meet the right group of friends. “This may also give them the opportunity to develop certain skills,” say Ann and Karen Wolff of Wolff Educational Services. “For instance, they might run for student council to develop leadership and public speaking skills and learn to be a voice for other students. Remember, though, each child is different—so what works for one may not work for another.”
IB schools give your child the opportunity to interact and spend time with a bright, motivated, and ambitious group of kids who may have interests similar to them. Due to the IB’s heavy focus on group work, the programme offers a social and collaborative learning environment, which can help your introverted child overcome their shyness and get to know their peers well. This can relieve some of the pressure associated with having to take the initiative outside of class to make friends.
Just make sure any school you're considering offers enough independent work time for your introverted child—something which can vary widely between IB schools.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Aspengrove School
Next steps to continue your research:
Continue researching Aspengrove School with OurKids.net, or visit school website.