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Go to child profileThe Unisus (IB World School) is the Okanagan’s innovation school, fully accredited International Baccalaureate Primary Years (PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) school and MYP (Candidate). STUDENTS have the opportunity to graduate with both the IB Diploma and/or BC Dogwood Diploma. BOARDING available and HIGH PERFORMANCE ACADEMIES in DANCE ; GOLF; HOCKEY and DOWNHILL SKI RACING with professional coaches, offering professional level training (sports psych, weights, nutrition, etc) and supports academically,
The setting for the campus couldn’t be more attractive, nestled comfortably on 17 acres in the Okanagan Valley. The school prides itself on a ability to remain agile, and to innovate programs and approaches. It’s a candidate for the full IB continuum, though, as any school in a similar position, is of course already teaching to that curriculum. While we think of innovation in terms STEM instruction—engineering and digital design perhaps particularly—there is also a core belief in what outdoor education can offer, something that adds dimension to the academic delivery and the student experience. The boarding program adds depth and diversity to the student population. Founded in 2016, Unisus is comparatively a young school, though the leadership, particularly in Jim McConnell, the head of schools, brings a wealth of experience in private schooling, including tenure at Crofton House and Stratford Hall, the latter of which he was the founding head. The school was founded to offer an exceptional learning experience, something that it has proven, through hiring and program development, to be adept at achieving.
What does learning at Unisus School look like now?
During the initial COVID-19 crisis we immediately shifted to our Continuity of Learning Plan (CLP) within our UNISUS C.A.R.E.S. support policies and procedures. Our students were some of the first in BC to be fully engaged in their learning and we have teaching staff working shifts so that we can engage with our international students in THEIR best learning times. We have the highest technology driven virus protections including hydro electro-static technologies, infrared temperature controls, procedures for staff and outside sourced personnel, among other protective measures. Additionally, we have nursing staff, and other staff trained in physical and emotional wellness and support. Our vast campus, 17 acres of gated property and also new boarding school, means social distancing is not a problem. We will be open, and we will have students engaged in highly academic and rigorous learning.
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Additional notes: We offer bussing daily from Penticton and Kelowna. In addition, we support our M-F weekday boarders with transportation options if required.
Gallery showcasing specific locations and facilities found at Unisus School.
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.
| Program | offered |
|---|---|
| Primary Years | |
| Middle Years | |
| Diploma program | |
| Career-related program |
| Focus |
|---|
| Academic |
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use 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 |
Unisus (IB World) School 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: Acceleration and enrichment (There is an equal emphasis on acceleration and enrichment.)
| 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. 12, Unisus (IB World) School students perform an average of >2 hours of homework per night.
| JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unisus (IB World) School | 0 mins | 0 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 90 mins | 90 mins | 90 mins | 120 mins | 160 mins | 160 mins |
| Site Average | 6 mins | 7 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 30 mins | 35 mins | 40 mins | 52 mins | 56 mins | 69 mins | 80 mins | 97 mins | 106 mins |
This school frequently "flips the classroom": asks students to learn material at home and do the "homework" in-class (with teacher support).
| Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 |
| Prose (narrative)-based feedback | JK to Gr. 12 |
| Academic achievement reporting | JK to Gr. 12 |
| Parent-teacher meetings | JK to Gr. 7 |
Competitive sports: 5
Recreational sports: 14
Unisus School offers 7 clubs and extracurricular programs.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
| Day | $12,500 | $15,500 | ||||||||||
| Day (Domestic) | $13,500 | |||||||||||
| Boarding (Domestic: out of province) | $43,950 | |||||||||||
| Boarding (International) | $51,500 | |||||||||||
Discounts
| Discount Type | Enrolment Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd child (sibling) | all students | $500 |
| Grade range that need-based aid is offered: | 1 to 11 |
| Percentage of grade-eligible students receiving financial aid | 10% |
| Average aid package size | $3,000 |
| Percentage of total enrolment on financial aid | 30% |
| Total aid available | $100,000 |
Please contact [email protected] for further information
Applicants are asked to apply and submit all report cards and recommendations and complete the assessment before making the application for a scholarship. Please email [email protected] for further information.
For more details, visit:www.unisus.ca
Applicants are asked to submit their application online along with their two years report card. After the applicant completes the assessment and is admitted to Unisus, the applicant will apply for a scholarship. Please email [email protected] for more information.
For more details, visit:www.unisus.caThese merit based scholarships are for UNISUS students we feel that would add positively to the community and school.
Contact the school for more information at [email protected]
For more details, visit:www.unisus.ca| Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | JK to Gr. 12 | Coed | Day | 180 |
| Group 2 | Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 | Coed | Boarding | 60 |
| Total enrolment | 240 |
| Average class size | Varies |
| % of international students (total enrolment) | 15% |
| Number of different nationalities within student population | 8 |
| Five-day boarding program offered | Yes |
| % in boarding (grade-eligible) | 27% |
| JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Enrollment | 15 | N/A | 15 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Boarding Enrollment | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Assessment | Required | Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Interview | PS - 11 | |
| SSAT | ||
| SSAT (out of province) | ||
| Entrance Exam(s) | K - 11 | |
| Entrance Essay | 7 - 11 |
Day students: Rolling
Boarding students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry: Yes
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: $500
Deposit: 500%
Please visit www.unisus.ca and apply online. All applicants will be date and time stamped. As our classes are at capacity in many grades, only full applicants will be considered for the wait list if applicable.
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 | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 15 (90%) | 0 | 15 (95%) | 5 (80%) | 5 (80%) | 5 (80%) | 5 (80%) | 4 (80%) | 5 (80%) | 5 - 10 (80%) | 5 - 10 (70%) | 5 - 10 (70%) | 5 - 10 (60%) | 2 - 5 (25%) |
| Boarding Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 5 (80%) | 5 - 10 (70%) | 5 - 10 (70%) | 5 - 10 (60%) | 2 - 5 (25%) |
| Average graduating class size | N/A |
| Students accepted into post-secondary studies upon graduation | N/A |
| Percentage of students who attend post-secondary institutions outside of Canada | N/A |
| Students who attended a Ivy+ school Number of students in the past 5 years that that attended one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford or Cambridge (UK) | N/A |
Unisus School Graduates’ Post-Secondary Studies:
This information is not currently available.Aggregate of All Schools’ Post-Secondary Studies:
| Career planning | |
| Internships | N/A |
| Mentorship Program | N/A |
| University counseling |
Unisus School was founded on the desire to create an exceptional learning institution in the heart of the Okanagan. Significant resources have been utilized to ensure that from the beginning, Unisus is offering a world-class curriculum with dedicated and engaged teachers. To grow a new school takes patience, but we are sure that within a few short years Unisus will be recognized as a top BC School.
This growth requires dedication and perseverance, but perhaps it is the early arrivals to the school who benefit the most. We are still small and we can pay a great deal of attention to each student’s needs. Every child is known by all the staff. There is a great sense of community – and an entrepreneurial spirit of families who are benefiting from the strong learning environment.
The school is based on a few sound principles. First, our location and site create wonderful outdoor education opportunities. We will continue to develop this part of our curriculum so that students in all grades gain an appreciation of the environment and a sense of adventure as they try new activities.
Second, the collective experience of the founding team is rooted in the International Baccalaureate, the world’s top educational framework. We are on target to be fully authorized in all 3 programs in the shortest possible time: We are already a candidate school for both the IB Primary Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. We all believe that the overall philosophy of the IB provides us a global foundation.
It is that international experience that is our third focus. Our Senior School will attract students from around the world, who will stay in a new and welcoming residence facility. They will learn using proven innovative strategies that pay attention to independence and engagement. We are developing partnerships with schools around the world so that our outlook goes well beyond Summerland. The mix of local and international students will create a unique global perspective.
You can also see that we are putting an emphasis on math, science, engineering and technology, while at the same time understanding that students need strong foundations in humanities and the arts. Indeed, the IB itself ensures that students have a well-balanced education.
We believe that our mission is to prepare our students for an increasingly unknown future. We will create thinkers who can analyze information and determine what is useful, and what is not. Our graduates will have developed a personal and independent approach to their learning, and will be able to approach problems and issues from a variety of perspectives, and through critical and creative thinking, come up with inventive solutions.
All of this is in a very nurturing environment. All of us care about each and every student, and want to engage with parents as partners in this journey through primary and secondary education.
In the end, it is the quality of the teaching staff that makes the difference. We have been looking globally for the best teachers possible, and you will experience their special contributions on a daily basis. They have taught all around the world, and are trained as International Baccalaureate practitioners. The culture is collaborative and supportive, striving for excellence through constant reflection and commitment to modern approaches to teaching.
We welcome you to explore this site, and contact us for a visit. We hope you will be part of this exciting journey.
Dr. James McConnell
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
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