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OUR KIDS Report:
Report on Lowell High School
TOPICS
Grades 10 — 12 — Vancouver, BC (Map)
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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Lowell High School
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

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Lowell High School ACADEMICS & Curriculum


Page Contents

Curriculum Traditional, International Baccalaureate

[Show definition of Curriculum]

Central to your child's school experience is the underlying curriculum taught in the classroom. "Curriculum" refers to both what is taught and how it's taught. When considering the different curricula outlined in the next few pages, keep in mind that few schools fall neatly into one category or another. Most schools' curricula comprise a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. Having said that, most schools do have a general overall curriculum type. These are identified for each school on OurKids.net.

Curriculum approach at Lowell High School: Traditional, International Baccalaureate

Lowell High School has a Traditional, International Baccalaureate approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Liberal Arts, Progressive, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).

[Show: About Traditional, International Baccalaureate?]

Our Kids definition: Traditional curricula tend to be very content-based and rooted in the core disciplines. It is a structured approach that involves the teacher delivering a unified curriculum through direct instruction. Students usually learn by observing and listening to their teacher, studying facts and concepts in textbooks, and completing both tests and written assignments - which challenge students to not only demonstrate their mastery of content but their ability to analyze and deconstruct it critically. Class discussions are also used to create critical dialogue around the content of the curriculum.

Compare Lowell High School's Curriculum with other schools on OurKids.net:
  Traditional - 39%
  Liberal arts - 12%
  Progressive - 34%
  Montessori - 12%
  Reggio Emilia - 1%
  Waldorf - 2%

Lowell High School has a International Baccalaureate approach to supplementary curriculum.

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.

What Lowell High School says about their overall curriculum and approach:

Lowell High School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and university preparatory school, offers the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for grades 11-12 and the British Columbia Graduation Program for grades 10-12.


International Baccalaureate program(s) offered

ProgramOffered
Primary Years
Middle Years
Diploma program
Career-related program

Approach

Focus
Academic

Pedagogies and subject courses:

  • Mathematics

    Traditional Math

    Mathematics approach at Lowell High School: Traditional Math

    Lowell High School has a Traditional Math approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Discovery Math, Equal Balance approach).

    [Show: About Traditional Math?]

    Our Kids definition: Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.

    Compare Lowell High School's Mathematics with other schools on OurKids.net:
      Traditional math - 27%
      Discovery math - 6%
      Equal balance - 67%

    What Lowell High School says:

    This information is not currently available.

    Textbooks and supplementary materials:

    This information is not currently available.

    Calculator policy:

    This information is not currently available.

  • Science

    Equal Balance

    Science approach at Lowell High School: Equal Balance

    Lowell High School has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository, Inquiry approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    Our Kids definition: Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.

    Compare Lowell High School's Science with other schools on OurKids.net:
      Equal balance - 68%
      Expository - 7%
      Inquiry - 25%

    Teaching approach:

    This information is not currently available.


    Treatment of evolution:

    SubjectOffered
    Evolution as consensus theory
    Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
    Evolution is not taught

    Topics covered in curriculum:

    SubjectOffered
    Biology
    Chemistry
    Ecology
    Geology
    Meteorology
    Physics
    Physiology
    Zoology

  • Literature

    Equal Balance

    Literature approach at Lowell High School: Equal Balance

    Lowell High School has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional, Social Justice approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    Our Kids definition: These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.

    Compare Lowell High School's Literature with other schools on OurKids.net:
      Equal balance - 73%
      Traditional - 25%
      Social justice - 2%

    What Lowell High School says:

    This information is not currently available.


    Program covers:

    SubjectOffered
    Canadian lit
    American lit
    European (continental) lit
    World (non-Western) lit
    English lit
    Ancient lit

  • Humanities and Social Sciences

    Equal Balance

    Humanities and Social Sciences approach at Lowell High School: Equal Balance

    Lowell High School has an Equal Balance approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism, Pragmatism approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    Our Kids definition: These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.

    Compare Lowell High School's Humanities and Social Sciences with other schools on OurKids.net:
      Equal balance - 79%
      Perennialism - 8%
      Pragmatism - 13%

    What Lowell High School says:

    This information is not currently available.

  • Foreign Languages

    What Lowell High School says:

    This information is not currently available.


    Language instruction offered in:

    SubjectOffered
    Chinese-Cantonese
    Chinese-Mandarin
    French
    German
    Greek
    Italian
    Japanese
    Hebrew
    Latin
    Russian
    Spanish
    ESL

  • Fine Arts

    Program offers:

    SubjectOffered
    Acting
    Dance
    Drama/Theatre
    Graphic Design
    Music
    Visual Arts

    What Lowell High School says:

    This information is not currently available.

  • Computers and Technology

    Medium integration

    Computers and Technology approach at Lowell High School: Medium integration

    Lowell High School has a Medium integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Light integration, Heavy integration approach).

    [Show: About Medium integration?]

    Our Kids definition: Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.

    Compare Lowell High School's Computers and Technology with other schools on OurKids.net:
      Medium integration - 52%
      Light integration - 22%
      Heavy integration - 26%

    What Lowell High School says:

    This information is not currently available.


    Program covers:

    SubjectOffered
    Computer science
    Robotics
    Web design

  • Physical Education

    What Lowell High School says:

    This information is not currently available.

  • IB Diploma courses

    12 courses

    Group 1 (Language A)

    • English language and literature SL
    • English language and literature HL

    Group 2 (Language B)

      Group 3 (Individuals and Societies)

      • Business and Management SL
      • Business and Management HL
      • Economics SL
      • Economics HL

      Group 4 (Experimental Sciences)

      • Biology SL
      • Biology HL
      • Physics SL
      • Physics HL

      Group 5 (Mathematics)

      • Mathematics SL
      • Mathematics HL

      Group 6 (The Arts)

      • Advanced Placement courses
        This information is not currently available.

      • Sex and health education

        What Lowell High School says:

        This information is not currently available.

      Language English

      Learn about Lowell High School's languages of instruction and enrolment.

      Lowell High School offers English as the primary language of instruction.

      Language of enrolment include: English

      Online Learning

      Lowell High School's online learning approach and offerings. Learn about this school's online programs and courses offered, its course formats, and its teaching and learning approaches.

      Lowell High School offers online courses to students.


      Course schedule

      PeriodGradesNumber of CoursesStart - End
      Full year 10 to 12 28 Feb 03, 2025 — Dec 21, 2025

      Course format

      TypeOffered
      Distance
      Asynchronous
      Synchronous

      Academic support and services

      TypeOffered
      Dedicated teacher per course
      Exam proctoring
      Student progress tracker
      Regular office hours
      Additional support
      Study groups
      Special needs support

      Curriculum Pace Standard-enriched

      [Show definition of Curriculum Pace]

      This refers to the rate at which students move through the curriculum (e.g., topics, textbook material, skills, etc.). Curriculum pace is often defined in comparison to provincial standards.

      Curriculum Pace approach at Lowell High School: Standard-enriched

      Lowell High School has a Standard-enriched approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Accelerated, Student-paced approach).

      [Show: About Standard-enriched?]

      Our Kids definition: 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.

      Compare Lowell High School's Curriculum Pace with other schools on OurKids.net:
        Standard-enriched - 54%
        Accelerated - 18%
        Student-paced - 28%

      What Lowell High School says about their curriculum pace:

      This information is not currently available.


      Flexible pacing style

      Type Offered
      Subject-streaming (tracking)
      Multi-age classrooms as standard
      Ability-grouping (in-class) as common
      Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace)
      Regular guided independent study opportunities
      Differentiated assessment

      What Lowell High School says about their flexible pacing:

      This information is not currently available.

      Academic Culture Supportive

      [Show definition of Academic Culture]

      Through the collective mindset of teachers, administrators, students, and parents, each school develops and maintains its own academic culture. This generally relates to the norms and expectations created around academic performance. Many parents look to private schools because they want a specific type of culture. Some want a rigorous environment that will elevate their child to new heights. Others want a nurturing environment that will help their child develop a passion for learning.

      Academic Culture approach at Lowell High School: Supportive

      Lowell High School has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).

      [Show: About Supportive?]

      Our Kids definition: 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.

      Compare Lowell High School's Academic Culture with other schools on OurKids.net:
        Supportive - 49%
        Rigorous - 51%

      What Lowell High School says about their academic culture:

      This information is not currently available.

      Developmental priorities Intellectual

      [Show definition of Developmental priorities]

      Schools have specific goals regarding how they want their educate and develop their students. This is part of a school's overall philosophy or vision, which is contained in its mission statement. While they tend have several developmental aims, schools tend to priortize certain aims, such as intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, or physical development.

      Primary Developmental Priority: Intellectual

      The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."

      Secondary Developmental Priority: Emotional

      The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."

      What Lowell High School says about their developmental priorities:

      This information is not currently available.

      Special needs support

      [Show definition of Special needs support]

      Schools offer a wide range of approaches and services to support students with special needs. This may include individualized learning, one-on-one support, small classes, resource rooms, and learning aids. These supports may be provided in a number of different environments such as a dedicated special needs school or class, an integrated class, a withdrawal class, or a regular class with resource support or in-class adaptations.

      A - Forms of Support
      Accommodation:
      Modification:
      Remediation:
      B - Environments
      Indirect Support:
      Resource Assistance:
      Withdrawal Assistance:
      Partial Integration:
      Full-Time Class:

      Special NeedNeed
      Forms of SupportA
      EnvironmentsB
      ADHD
      • Learning disabilities
        Dyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability)
        This is a learning disability that can limit a child's ability to read and learn. It can have a variety of traits. A few of the main ones are impaired phonological awareness and decoding, problems with orthographic coding, and auditory short-term memory impairment.
        Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
        This is a sound differentiation disorder involving problems with reading, comprehension, and language.
        Dyscalculia
        This is a kind of specific learning disability in math. Kids with this math disorder have problems with calculation. They may also have problems with math-related concepts such as time and money.
        Dysgraphia
        This is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.
        Language Processing Disorder
        This is characterized by having extreme difficulty understanding what is heard and expressing what one wants to say. These disorders affect the area of the brain that controls language processing.
        Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD)
        These involve difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They're usually characterized by a significant discrepancy between higher verbal skills and weaker motor, visual-spatial, and social skills.
        Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit
        A characteristic seen in people with learning disabilities such as Dysgraphia or Non-verbal LD. It can result in missing subtle differences in shapes or printed letters, losing place frequently, struggles with cutting, holding pencil too tightly, or poor eye/hand coordination.
      • Developmental
        Autism
        Refers to a range of conditions that involve challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. They also involve unique strengths and differences. For instance, there are persons with both low- and high-functioning autism (some claim the latter is identical to Asperger's syndrome).
        Asperger's Syndrome
        On the autism spectrum, Asperger's is considered quite mild in terms of symptoms. While traits can vary widely, many kids with Asperger's struggle with social skills. They also sometimes fixate on certain subjects and engage in repetitive behaviour.
        Down syndrome
        his is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.
        Intellectual disability
        This is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, and problem solving). Intellectual disabilities are also known as general learning disabilities (and used to be referred to as a kind of mental retardation).
        Williams syndrome
        This is a rare genetic disorder present at birth. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities or learning problems, unique facial features, and cardiovascular problems.
        Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
        Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These may include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and other problems.
      • Behavioral and Emotional
        Troubled behaviour / troubled teens
        roubled teens tend to have problems that are intense, persistent, and can lead to quite unpredictable behaviour. This can lead to behavioural and emotional issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behaviour, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.
        Clinical Depression
        This is a mental health disorder also called "major depression." It involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss, and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in daily activities, such as school, work, or one's social life.
        Clinical anxiety
        This is a mood disorder involving intense, relentless feelings of distress and fear. They can also have excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations, and repeated episodes of intense anxiety or terror.
        Suicidal thoughts
        This involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.
        Drug and alcohol abuse
        This involves the excessive use of drug and/or alcohol, which interferes with daily functioning.
        Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
        This is a disruptive behavioural disorder which normally involves angry outbursts, often directed at people of authority. This behaviour must last continuously for six months or more and significantly interfere with daily functioning.
      • Physical
        Multiple sclerosis
        This is a condition of the central nervous system. It affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of motor control, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.
        Cerebral palsy
        his refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture.
        Muscular dystrophy
        Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.
        Spina Bifida
        This is a condition present at birth due to the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord. It can lead to a number of physical challenges, including paralysis or weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain), and deformities of the spine.
        Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)
        This is a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Also known as "sensory integration disorder," it affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech.
        Blindness
        Visual impairment is a decreased ability or inability to see that can't be fixed in usual ways, such as with glasses. Some people are completely blind, while others have what's called "legal blindness."
        Deafness
        Hearing impairment, also known as "hearing loss," is a partial or total inability to hear. The degree of hearing impairment varies between people. It can range from complete hearing loss (or deafness) to partial hearing loss (meaning the ears can pick up some sounds).
        Cystic Fibrosis
        Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.
        Multiple physical
        Accommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.

      Read our guide to special needs schools and special education


      Academic support

      TypeOffered
      Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation
      Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties

      Mild but clinically diagnosed learning disabilities

      TypeOffered
      Accommodations
      Modifications
      Extra support

      Additional support

      TypeOffered
      Social skills programs
      Occupational therapy
      Psychotherapy
      Speech-language therapy

      Gifted learner support No Support

      [Show definition of Gifted learner support]

      Schools support students with gifted or advanced learning abilities in a several ways. Whether they offer a full-time gifted program or part-time support, they normally provide some form of accelerated learning (delivering content at a faster pace) or enrichment (covering content more broadly or deeply). Many schools also offer a wide range of in-class adaptations to support advanced learners, such as guided independent studies, project-based learning, and career exploration.

      Curriculum Delivery: This information is not currently available.

      Class structure

      Program Offered
      Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school)
      Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class)

      In-class adaptations

      Program Offered
      Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement)
      Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement)
      Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement)
      Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement)
      Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others)
      Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement)
      Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement)
      Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement)
      Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement)

      What Lowell High School says about their gifted learner support:

      This information is not currently available.

      Homework Policy

      [Show definition of Homework Policy]

      Homework is work that's assigned to students for completion outside of regular class time. There's a long-standing debate over homework. Should homework be assigned to school-age children? If so, in what grades? And how much homework should be assigned? In selecting the right school for your child, it's important to look closely at a school's homework policy.

      Nightly homework

      In grade Gr. 12, Lowell High School students perform an average of 1 hour of homework per night.

      101112
      Lowell High School60 mins60 mins60 mins
      Site Average84 mins100 mins107 mins

      What Lowell High School says about their flipped classroom policy:

      This information is not currently available.

      Report Card Policy

      [Show definition of Report Card Policy]

      While all schools measure individual progress and achievement in students, they have different ways of doing this. For instance, many traditional schools gauge progress through report cards, which give students lettered or numbered grades. Other schools, meanwhile, measure progress in other ways, either in addition to or instead of giving grades. For instance, they may offer prose-based feedback (i.e, comments), academic achievement reporting, habits and behaviour reporting, and parent-teacher meetings. In choosing the right school for your child, take a close look at its policy for measuring the individual progress of students.

      How assessments are delivered across the grades

      TypeGrades
      Lettered or numbered gradesGr. 10 to Gr. 12
      Prose (narrative)-based feedbackGr. 10 to Gr. 12
      Parent-teacher meetingsGr. 10 to Gr. 12
       

      OUR KIDS REPORT: Lowell High School

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