The IB Program at SJS has been wonderful for my two kids. The teachers and administration obviously…read morework very hard to create a well prepared and engaging environment. My experience has, so far, been limited to the junior school where the warm and encouraging (while still academically challenging) atmosphere is quite special. My son, in particular, has transformed over his three years, (and counting), at the school from a bright, though highly anxious and shy child, into a much happier confident kid.

My child recently attended University Hill Elementary School for two years in 3rd & 4th grade…read more While there were some positive aspects of the school, like diversity and location, there were more concerns. One time my child was physically bullied on the playground, and when I made a complaint, the principal never replied to me. Another time, I picked my child up early for an appointment and found him completely left behind and disregarded laying on the ground in a classroom cubby area while the teacher was cheerfully teaching with her microphone headset gathered with the other students in the class. When other kids told the teacher their observations, she "didn't care." A lack of care overall is why I give this school the lowest rating. The front desk receptionist carried a heavy load, especially with no nurse of staff, but she was often not approachable for my child. One time when my child had a sore toothache and sought a call home, she only emailed me and didn't inform my child. When I saw the email after time had passed and went to the school, my child was no where to be found on the playground or in the building. my child was crying and hiding by a tree outside because they were in pain and felt the school didn't care about them and were going to call home. I am very grateful we have found a new school with a sincere culture of care.

I went to a party organized here. The cafeteria, I think, right after the entryway…read more The tables and chairs were nice furniture. The carpet, podium with microphone, and fireplace at one end were nice too. Very nice skylights along the length of the room. Very elegant (I would assume this is a private school). No dance floor, though, so you'll have to rent one if you need it. No stage, either. I didn't organize it, so I don't know the rental price, but this is a very nice venue. There may have been a sink area, as well, but I don't know.

WMS is a place like no other, it's simply outstanding in every way. The staff is like my extended…read morefamily. I trust them implicitly. My son adores them and talks about them like they are his friends. The program is incredible. They even did a home visit to get to get to know our family better before the first day. That set the tone for us and the school has exceeded our expectations in every way. There are requirements to attend - a full commitment to the program. I was looking for a true Montessori school for my son's most important developmental years. I wanted an authentic Montessori experience and that's what he is getting, and then some. With that comes the need to stick to my word and follow through on my family's commitment to my child completing Montessori at WMS through Kindergarten. And he will, and so will my daughter. I wouldn't have it any other way. And I expect the other families in my child's class to do the same. We are all in it together. Trying to leave early ruins it for all of us. As parents, if you sign up and take a coveted space, then at least follow through. Don't sign up, break your word and expect cake and flowers.

My son attended here few years ago and only writing a review now. I felt roped into staying in…read moretheir program longer than I should have at West Side Montessori program. This program was no longer what I thought it was due to philosophical issues I had with teaching staff who often took a very one sided approach to matters. Do not buy into their philosophy and contracts for kindergarten to keep your hard earned money. I also felt their philosophy of values in how they dealt with matters also impacted their teachings and emotional safety of children.

Older high school in Vancouver that offers its auditorium to other schools when it's available…read more Seems like a decent place but didn't wander around too much.

Very good school with loving and supportive teachers. They seem to be a very child-focused…read moreestablishment and are able to guide the children with the utmost care and attention. Office staff was also very good and provided excellent service answering all questions in a timely manner. Great music program!

My experience at school and at home, from 1967-8 to 1976 was a nightmare. It's a miracle I lived to…read morebe a senior. I was tormented and sexually abused at home only to be bullied by students who called me names like Sybil', for the Sally Fields movie about a girl who was horrifically abused, like me, dismissed and even bullied by teachers who ignored my tear, and calling me selfish for crying. I'm writing this in hopes to find someone my brother had told about my sexual humiliation at the hands of my Narcissistic mother's boyfriend so that I can finally have closure, therapy and to move on. A witness. And to everyone who thought it was funny to sign a petition that says "If you hate Tammy Siple sign here", which caused me to snap and give the child who wrote it a goose egg, as her mother called it, by slamming her with the door while I made my escape, I forgive you.

I suspect it is a part of getting old, but I have sure been getting into moods of recalling…read morememories of past times lately. Bringing memories of my 'school days' to the fore, has been a fun, and challenging 'historical' adventure. Thought I would share some 'when' and 'where' of those years. Part 1 -- Hastings Elementary School, Vancouver, BC -- grades 1 through 6. I started grade 1 at age 5 (in 1945). At that time, I had to 'qualify' first, via an in-person test (I assume, designed and administered by the School Board), to be able to do so that September, as my 6'th birthday was not until December. I had not done, and never did any any kindergarten Yikes, I had to face a school test, and had not even got into a school as yet!! But yeah, all went well, and I passed!! And was off to 'Hastings School' to attend grade 1 that September. I remained a student there each year after, and completed grade 6 at age 11 (in 1951). Some personal memories: - walking to/from school each day, catching/absorbing the sights & sounds of my first 'hood' along the way - I lived on Turner Street, and had a few blocks to walk to school. - taking a large bag of 'marbles' (glass, agate, and otherwise), and playing various games centered around them, out in the playground during the early years there, was a fun thing to do. In the field, soccer was 'the' thing for the sports types. - had a big 'crush' on my grade 3 teacher! - found 1947 (grade 2) and 1949 (grade 4) class photos -- ouch!! 'Hastings Elementary School', located within what is now called the 'Hastings Sunrise' area of east Vancouver, provided my first taste of school -- and I really enjoyed my childhood years there.

Queen Elizabeth School Annex, located on Crown Street across from Chaldecott Park, is a small…read moreschool, only offering classes from kindergarten to grade three. The school also offers a French Immersion program, in which I was enrolled, and I went there for all four years until I went to École Jules Quesnel in grade four, which is where most French Immersion students transferred to. It was a good little school, but the English kids and French Immersion kids never mingled, despite it being a small school, although that may have changed. When I was in grade three, the school got its first portable, and my class was the class placed in the portable. While celebrating my niece's birthday at Chaldecott Park yesterday, I popped over to visit the school, and there was a new wing of the school, made out of portables. The school has a HUGE playground, divided into three parts: the concrete school yard, with hopscotch and the alphabet painted on it; a gravel field where we used to play kickball and catch crickets; and the upper playground, a wooded area with the playground equipment. The playground equipment included a slide, an adventure fort, and some wooden posts you could walk on, all of which were gone when I went to the school yesterday. There was also a hill, going from the playground down to the gravel field, which was perfect for sledding when it snowed. Back in my day, there weren't wood shavings or that bouncy material at the bottom of playground equipment -- there was concrete. The adventure fort had a pole set in concrete that you could slide down, and I remember a kid in my class falling down the pole and breaking his arm. The following year, the concrete was replaced with wood shavings. [Yelp collections: Schools and Education]