A standout about Columbia Academy is its impressive university placement. We learned that 100% of graduates have been accepted into universities, with 90% securing spots at some of the world’s top 50 universities, including UC Berkeley, University College London, UCLA, and the University of Toronto.

We also like how they offer personalized university planning to help students achieve their dream college. It’s quite effective, considering their impressive track record.

Another thing we admire is the close bond between the faculty and students. In our surveys, many alumni mentioned feeling seen, guided and listened to by their teachers. 

Plus, many have personally thanked their teachers for helping them get to where they are today. For us, their 1:10 student-teacher ratio pays off well, and the results of it are impressive.

But it’s a bit of a bummer that they don’t focus on programs for students with learning abilities. We think it’s unfortunate, considering that teachers can only adapt so much within the confines of a regular curriculum.

Still, we’re glad to hear that both students and parents feel comfortable sharing their concerns and issues with the administration or counsellors.

Finally, we love how Columbia Academy provides volunteering opportunities that allow students to connect with their community and contribute to meaningful causes for countless hours.

At Crofton House, girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 shine in a learning environment made just for them. They’ve got this approach about supporting each girl in every way—socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.

On that note, many alumni praised Crofton for fostering a safe environment where they could freely express themselves as girls. They found the activities engaging and felt well-prepared for life outside the classroom. 

Additionally, they mentioned feeling less pressured by gender stereotypes and more empowered to explore diverse subjects, thanks to the school’s encouragement of risk-taking and innovation.

Just a heads up, the annual tuition fees at Crofton are quite pricey, coming in at around $27,000. That’s about $10,000 more than some schools on this list.

We also see the school’s Work Experience Program for Grades 10-12 as a great opportunity for students to get a taste of real-world work settings. During this week-long experience, girls explore professions they’re curious about, gaining insights that can shape their future career paths.

And we discovered that students have had work placements in a range of industries, from film to business to medicine. It’s impressive to see many of them landing positions with respected organisations like Hootsuite or the BC Cancer Agency, highlighting the program’s strong real-world connections.

Next up, let’s talk about Vancouver College (VC). It’s the only all-boys independent Catholic school in British Columbia.

But, according to some students and alumni, it seems like Vancouver College is heading in a less Catholic direction lately, especially when it comes to the activities and programs they’re emphasising.

On the bright side, we also found out that students still feel like they’re part of a close-knit community at Vancouver College. It’s all about building strong personal connections with students and their families, even now.

Moreover, we noted that many students value the strong bonds they form with their peers, creating a sense of brotherhood that often endures even after graduation.

Another thing we like is how they provide a wide range of co-curricular activities and sports programs, offering students a more holistic experience. With over 30 clubs, plenty of volunteer opportunities, and more than 15 sports to choose from, there’s something for everyone at VC.

As for their fees, we’ve noticed they can be a bit pricey, sitting at around $25,000, which is slightly above the average private school fee.

Nonetheless, we believe Vancouver College is a solid bet for those keen on sports or looking to pursue post-secondary studies in the sciences.

Bodwell High School is a private boarding school that covers grades 8 to 12 and university prep. We appreciate their focus on creating a culturally diverse environment where students from all over the globe can thrive and become active learners and well-rounded citizens.

We also think the school does a great job introducing students to different things like clubs, sports, activities, and outings. And it’s cool to see that some students go even further by joining community groups, taking extra classes, and checking out events around the city to get into Canadian life.

On top of this, we’re impressed by their extensive athletics programs, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, golf, swimming, and many others, on rotation from year to year. 

It’s also worth noting that they have onsite boarding for 250 boys and 250 girls, which, to us, seems like a decent number of beds—especially for international students.

But just a heads up, we found out that their fees are pretty steep, especially for boarding students, with costs adding up to $53,000 and around $58,075 for international students. Also, we’re a tad worried about some reports mentioning cleanliness issues in certain spots within the dorms.

The silver lining is that these fees cover everything from living space to staff supervision, laundry, breakfast and dinner buffets, medical insurance, and full access to all the school’s facilities.

What’s unique about Pear Tree School is how they do things differently with learning and teaching. Instead of sticking to the usual subjects, they organise their lessons around themes and projects to help students develop and tie together various skills and ideas simultaneously.

We found it quite neat because they can tackle different academic subjects together. Plus, they ensure students are getting the right kind of challenge in academics, social skills, and even physical activities.

But here’s the scoop: some parents and students might feel that Pear Tree’s curriculum isn’t as competitive as other schools. They take a different approach to academics, which might not be as competitive as some families prefer.

Although we did note a bit of a hiccup in communication. Some parents mentioned that there were delays in responding to and addressing their concerns.

On the other hand, we like that they incorporate outdoor spaces into their classes and offer unique sports like climbing or kayaking. It’s also great to see them leveraging modern technology to innovate and enrich learning experiences through design, coding, and expanding understanding.

All in all, we feel like Pear Tree School brings something fresh to the table in education, especially with its focus on teaching essential life skills.