We’ll supplement this page with expert insight into the FIT between Pear Tree Elementary and YOUR CHILD. Just answer a few short questions. It takes only 5 minutes.
Or, dive right into our insights on Pear Tree Elementary:
To customize this school profile (and others), answer a few questions about your child’s needs.
Go to child profilePear Tree Elementary is a progressive elementary and middle school located in Kits. People learn by doing – that’s why we use active, hands-on learning that engages all learners. Taking a whole child approach means Pear Tree nurtures academic, socioemotional and physical development. Integral to this is our healthy lunch program and daily P.E. classes. With the help of our expert masters-qualified teachers, we offer a leading approach that develops well-rounded children who can be happy and successful in all aspects of life.
What learning looks like now: In line with the BC Ministry of Education and Premier John Horgan’s announcement on July 29th, Pear Tree Elementary returned to Stage 2 in-class instruction starting September 9th, 2020. We are very conscious of the health and well-being of our students. Pear Tree Elementary’s low-density classes (ie. a maximum of 15 students per classroom) and maximum capacity for the school (50 people) are well within the restrictions and expectations of all the health and safety measures schools are required to follow, specifically pertaining to the recommended “learning groups”. All students (Kindergarten to Grade 7) are able to attend school Monday-Friday full-time. Pear Tree’s directors and administrators receive regular updates from the BC Ministry regarding any changes or new expectations for COVID protocol. Any relevant information is shared with parents and staff via email, in addition to being updated in our COVID policy. Our focus is on regular handwashing and hand sanitizing (scheduled and monitored), increased cleaning frequency, social distancing of staff from each other, and restriction of parents from entering our facilities. Students are not required to wear face masks, unless they wish.
Curriculum delivery for 2020/21:
Grades | Living Arrangement | Delivery Model | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
Day | K - Gr. 7 | In-person | Full-time |
At Connaught Park
Yoga Studio @ Yoga Buttons
At KFitness Studio
1 of 2 reading corners
collaborative classroom layout
1-to-1 iPad program
SMARTboards in every classroom
Custom-made play-based learning equipment
Pear Tree is young, and has all the attributes of youth: energetic, engaging, fun. The day program grew out of the Pear Tree education programs, and launched in 2016. So, it’s fresh, and indeed that’s an attraction. The feel is a great one, and that’s not to be underestimated—creating the right environment, the right feel, is important. With Pear Tree, it’s that vibrant feel that creates the first impression. The program is the definition of progressive, with small classes, hands-on instruction, and built around links across areas of the curriculum. Students are required to work collaboratively, solving problems together, and to engage creatively with each other and with technology. Activity is important, as is nutrition, which is just as it should be. The ideal learner is one who will thrive in an active, creative, small-group oriented environment.
Focus |
---|
Academic |
DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Evolution as consensus theory | |
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
Evolution is not taught |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Biology | |
Chemistry | |
Ecology | |
Geology | |
Meteorology | |
Physics | |
Physiology | |
Zoology |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Acting | |
Dance | |
Drama/Theatre | |
Graphic Design | |
Music | |
Visual Arts |
Expressive | |
Disciplined |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Computer science | |
Robotics | |
Web design |
Flexible pacing style | 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 |
Pear Tree Elementary offers no/limited support for students with learning difficulties or special needs.
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Accommodations | |
Modifications | |
Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
Program | offered |
---|---|
Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
Curriculum delivery: Enrichment (The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.)
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) |
In grade Gr. 8, Pear Tree Elementary students perform an average of 1 hour of homework per night.
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pear Tree Elementary | 15 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins |
Site Average | 6 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 30 mins | 35 mins | 40 mins | 53 mins | 57 mins |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | K to Gr. 8 |
Academic achievement reporting | K to Gr. 8 |
Habits and behaviour reporting | K to Gr. 8 |
Parent-teacher meetings | K to Gr. 8 |
Competitive sports: N/A
Recreational sports: 14
Pear Tree Elementary offers 1 clubs and extracurricular programs.
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Day (Domestic) | $17,270 | ||||||||
Day (International) | $22,440 |
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | K to Gr. 8 | Coed | Day | 80 |
Total enrolment | 80 |
Average class size | 16 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | 30% |
Number of different nationalities within student population | 8 |
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Class Size | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | K - 8 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | ||
Entrance Exam(s) | K - 8 | |
Entrance Essay | 5 - 8 |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
Yes
Application fee: $300
Registration fee: N/A
Deposit:
N/A
1. Apply online with a nonrefundable fee of $300 + GST
2. Submit required documents:
3. Student assessment and observation
4. Family interviews
This is the percentage of applicants typically accepted into the school. So if 50 students are admitted out of 100 applicants, the school has an overall acceptance rate of 50%.
Student Entry Points
This shows approximately how many openings there are likely to be in each grade in a typical year, as well as the estimated acceptance rate for each grade level.
Student Type | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 8 (30%) | 1 - 5 (30%) | 1 - 5 (30%) | 1 - 5 (30%) | 1 - 5 (40%) | 1 - 5 (40%) | 3 - 5 (40%) | 3 - 5 (40%) | 8 (60%) |
Early, formative, positive school experiences set the foundation for lifelong intellectual and social growth.
The traditional approach to teaching places students in homogeneous age groups. All twelve year olds in this room. All eight year olds in this room. They sit in desks facing the front and learn the core subjects one at a time for a set period of time each day. 45 minutes of math, followed by 60 minutes of English, followed by a short break, and then 45 minutes of science. Everything is compartmentalized and isolated.
This, quite frankly, has nothing to do with how we best learn.
Pear Tree Elementary is Vancouver's most progressive school. We focus on developing strong academic, emotional, social, and physical skills in children. Our approach to the B.C. curriculum adopts a 21st century approach through meaningful integration of technology, student collaboration, learning through themes (rather than subject areas), public speaking, and project based learning.
Students work independently, with each other, and as a class in proportions expertly balanced by their teachers to provide each student with what they need. No cookie cutter solutions. No one-size-fits-all philosophies.
That’s how we learn. So that’s how we teach.
That’s Pear Tree Elementary.
We invite you to experience the difference.
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
Interested in Pear Tree Elementary?
Visit WebsiteJoin the Our Kids roundtable discussion about [School Name]. Alumni and current parents are answering questions and sharing their insights—about the school’s culture, strengths, and weaknesses.
Oct
ZOOM MEETING