Elementary Schools
Bayview
Bayview is a community school of children, staff, parents, volunteers, community members and outside agencies who come together to provide a safe, caring, mutually respectful, challenging and welcoming environment that enables learners of all ages to develop their intellectual, physical, social, emotional and aesthetic potential.
Bayview Community School is a traditional public elementary school which offers an extended program of education, social, recreational, and cultural opportunities for all age groups in the community. This concept is based on a commitment to community involvement and lifelong learning.
Contact:
Darrell Cavanagh (604) 713-5433
Carnarvon
Carnarvon School opened in September 1966; it was known as Trafalgar Annex from 1955-66. In 1974, the Vancouver School Board approved Carnarvon's application to become one of six original comprehensive community schools with provisions for a coordinator and secretary. The Programs Office offers a variety of programs and services that reflect the needs of the community and student population. A separate building for our daycare and pre-school programs was added in 1998 and the large adventure playground was rebuilt at that time.
Carnarvon is a one-level building that is wheelchair accessible and home to approximately 360 students. About 17% of our students are acquiring English as their second language. The library, computer lab and all classrooms in the main building have access to the Internet.
Our staff values the uniqueness of each child and encourages the development of positive self-concept, social responsibility and competency in the basic skills. We stress safety, respect and accountability.
Contact:
Lois Layton 604-713-5396
General Gordon
Gordon School was built in 1912 to serve the rapidly growing Kitsilano area of Vancouver. The school accommodates approximately 425 students in two programs: Kindergarten to Grade 7 English program, and Grade 6 and 7 Late French Immersion. The school's philosophy and guiding practice are adapted from the work of Dr. William Glasser; this "Quality School" initiative is exemplified in Gordon's Mission statement. Each September, during an orientation week, multi-aged groupings of students from both programs meet all staff and are introduced to a thematic, school-wide program while circulating through learning activity stations. Within a comprehensive curriculum, numerous opportunities are provided to foster a strong student voice, including Peer Helpers, Student Council, buddy programs, clubs, sports teams and, often, interest group studies. To further promote cooperation, tolerance and caring, a Social Responsibility theme has been adopted with the motto "Kind, Safe, Fair"; also, a teacher-advisor system is in place, as well as class meetings for social problem-solving and exploration of students' ideas and opinions.
Contact:
(604) 713-4550
Henry Hudson
Located in Kitsilano, Hudson School is four blocks from Kitsilano Beach and in the immediate neighborhood of many restaurants and shops. We are on the southwest corner of Cornwall and Cypress, just two blocks west of Burrard on the south side of Burrard Bridge. Our families live in apartments, condominiums, cooperative housing, multiple and single-family homes. Many of our families are cross-boundary from Yaletown on the north side of Burrard Bridge. We are a small, friendly school (approximately 280 students) in a well-maintained, two-storey, 88-year-old brick building. We pride ourselves on the warm and friendly atmosphere of the school, and we are very proud of our students and their accomplishments.
We strive to maintain a balance in our program among the intellectual, social, aesthetic and physical aspects of the students' development.
Contact:
Metta Hamaguchi (604) 713-5441
Lord Tennyson
The school is named after the famous 19th century British Poet Laureate - Lord Alfred Tennyson.
The school is a beautiful brick building dating from 1912. It boasts a wonderful park-like playground with picnic tables, a native garden, planters, benches, adventure playgrounds, a basketball court, and a grass soccer field.
Lord Tennyson is a French Immersion school enrolling 340 students in fourteen divisions. The school has two daycares on site: TOSS (Kinder and primary care) & YMCA (Intermediates); an another in the area - Kitsilano Neighbourhood House.
Mutual respect and concern for others are the hallmark of our school community. One of the school's distinguishing characteristics is its openness. There is much opportunity for parent involvement in the school, making for an active Parent Advisory Council.
Contact:
(604)713-5426
Trafalgar School
Trafalgar School was officially opened in 1947. The one and two-storey building is situated adjacent to Trafalgar Park, providing students with unlimited playing space on tree-lined, grassy fields. The Trafalgar Tile Wall, a mural created in 1997 by the school's students, staff and families, traces the history of our first fifty-plus years.
Students at Trafalgar are predominantly from the area west of Arbutus, north of West King Edward, south of West 16th Avenue and east of MacDonald. Students in the French Immersion program come from as far west as Dunbar Street.
Approximately 25% of the students at Trafalgar receive English as a Second Language support. Most of these students are from Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and Korea.
Trafalgar parents have high expectations for their children. They work cooperatively with staff to enhance the school's offerings. School functions are well attended and many parents volunteer in daily activities and special school programs.
Contact:
Cheryl Douglas 604-713-5475
Secondary Schools
Kitsilano
Kitsilano Secondary School strives to provide learning experiences that foster skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to prepare students to contribute to the well-being of our changing world.
- enables maximum intellectual development of all its students by providing learning experiences that promote:
* the acquisition of knowledge;
* the basic skills of communication;
* the ability to understand and apply learning processes and knowledge independently;
* the ability to reason analytically, critcally and creatively; and
* an appreciation of the concept of lifelong learning and curiosity about the world. - fosters a tolerant and positive understanding of the world, through a wide range of programs.
- recognizes the cultural uniqueness of its school community.
- encourages students to participate in an atmostphere of cooperative caring and respect for human differences.
- encourages students to take responsibility for their learning.
- assists each student to maximize his/her self-esteem and self reliance through various activities to develop physical, artistic, and emotional well-being.
- provides students with experiences, knowledge and skills necessary to function pracitcally and flexibly in a changing workplace.
- fosters an awareness of the environment and a desire to promote a sustainble future.
Contact:
(604) 713-8961
Alternative Program
Avalon
Avalon School is a long-term day program for adolescents who are 13 to 17 years of age, and in grades 8, 9, 10. Avalon students are generally those who, due to patterns of truancy and behavioral and/or emotional issues, have not been able to be successful in regular schools or in other alternate programs. These students require nurturing and specialized attention to prepare them to re-enter mainstream schools, other alternate schools or the work force.
Avalon School offers academics at the adjusted, modified and regular levels as well as physical education, lifeskills, art, recreational outings and overnight camping trips. The staff team consists of a program coordinator, two VSB teachers, three child care counsellors and a part time cook. Avalon also has a food program which includes breakfast, snacks and nutritious lunches.
Working intensively with the 20 students in the program, the staff team seeks to promote strong self-esteem, healthy lifestyle choices and improved social skills within the school population. By using goal setting, a positive peer culture social skills model and by helping individuals to build on their unique set of strengths, students are supported to challenge themselves to move forward in positive directions. Individual and group counselling are readily available at Avalon School with each counsellor taking on a key worker role with seven students.
Contact:
(604) 736-0467
Pacific Alternative
PASS School is a short-term school program located on the west side. Affiliated with Kitsilano Secondary School and administered by Pacific Childrens Shelter Society, the school serves a maximum of 15 students aged 13 to 17 in grades 8, 9 or 10, who have no other appropriate school program to attend. Many of the students have been out of school for an extended period of time, and display a range of behaviors in a regular school setting that are beyond the capacity of the school to manage (ie, antisocial, disruptive, or withdrawing behaviours).
The program is designed to be short-term, and intake is continuous throughout the academic year. The goal is to generate options and secure a longer-term placement within 6 weeks. Staff assess students needs and recommend appropriate future school placements or pre-employment programs. The maximum length of time for students to stay enrolled at PASS School is 12 weeks, if options are not available earlier.
Vinery
The Vinery Alternative Program is for Grade 9 and 10 students. This program provides students with the core academic courses along with Physical Education, Art, and Business Education. Students are required to maintain an 85% attendance record as well as participate in all course activities, including Anger Management and Personal Development sessions. Staff includes two teachers and a Youth and Family Worker. Limit of 24 students.
Contact:
(604) 713-4571