Ages 
A really great school, with really great facilities, where you'll find happy parents and proud students. The kind of school where you get out what you put in, with endless options available to help you reach your goals, in whatever direction that may be.
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Overview
- Student numbers
- 1,570
- Curricula
- International
- Other curriculum
- American
- SEN provision
- SEN considered case by case
- Offers boarding
- Boarding available
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- CAD$ 17,000 (for international students).
- Ownership
- Canadian government
Head of school
Principal
Steve Rauh
Since 2010, Steve Rauh. Most parents can’t actually remember a time when he wasn’t in charge. Indeed, it is very much his patch and, unlike other state schools in Vancouver where the heads get moved around frequently, no-one is moving him - something
Entrance
No entrance exam, except for those going into grade 11 and taking IB or AP. English assessment for new grade 11 students wishing to graduate.
Open days are in the September prior to year of entry, and that is it. Registration opens up on October
Exit
While the school doesn’t publish its university acceptance rates, it has numerous framed photos of graduating students across the years proudly displayed in the entrance hall.
Popular universities in Canada and USA include Harvard, University of
Latest results
In 2024, average IBDP score was 5 per subject (cohort of 78 students).
Teaching & learning
The school is academically non-selective so while it caters for academically driven students, it also suits those preferring arts or sports.
Students from grade 8 upwards are expected to take the usual core academic subjects, alongside an
- Curricula & qualifications
- International - International Baccalaureate (Diploma)
- Other curriculum - British Columbia Curriculum
- Other curriculum - British Columbia Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma)
- American - Advanced Placement (AP)
Learning support & SEN
State West Vancouver Schools are grouped together under one umbrella when it comes to SEN, so while support is deemed good, it is government led.
Language support
There is very good English language support on offer. Students must, however, be fluent in English if they enrol into grade 11
Arts & extracurricular
For a state-run school, this school has incredible onsite facilities, right down to a fully equipped mechanical auto garage on campus for any students wishing to study mechanics. For budding artists, there is an amazingly well-equipped art
Sport
Taken very seriously, with an impressive 18 different sports on offer, many of which are played to an elite level, plus access to the district Academies which all state schools on the north shore take part in (details in our article Vancouver
Boarders
No boarding facilities as such, but home-stays can be arranged by the school for a fee.
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
West Vancouver is a large school that tries, and succeeds, to feel like a small school with two campuses. Every student is a person rather than a number. A huge amount of effort is made to ensure the pupils don’t feel lost, especially with grade 8s.
Classroom & community
- School year
- Three terms: autumn, winter and summer.
- School hours
- 8:30am – 3:05pm
- Uniform requirements
- No
Money matters
This is a state school, so free for Canadian residents, permanent residents and work visa holders. Fees for non-Canadians, both for tuition and for home-stay arrangements. No stealth fund-raising, thank you Canadian tax-payer!
- Annual fee range
- CAD$ 17,000 (for international students).
- Fee information
- Home stay fees for international students: CAD$ 13,200.00;
Medical insurance CAD$ 1,400 pa.
The last word
A really great school, with really great facilities, where you'll find happy parents and proud students. The kind of school where you get out what you put in, with endless options available to help you reach your goals, in whatever direction that may
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Accreditations/Inspections
- Authorised by International Baccalaureate Organization (not to be confused as an inspection or accreditation agency)
None (school may be licensed, or may be "inspected" by its own owner, but it is not independently accredited or inspected by recognised agency or organisation)
