To better help parents choose a new elementary school for their children, the Frasier Institute has created a ranking of elementary schools in British Columbia on their website, as well as a comprehensive list for much of Canada. Their rankings are based on test performance averages from the recent years as well as several other academic standards that are comparable within their system. Below are the top 5 schools in West Vancouver according to the Frasier Institute’s rankings.

Mulgrave School

This school started with fifteen students in 1993 and has since grown into a multi-faceted educational institution. They now serve nearly 850 students, yet they maintain an 8:1 student to teacher ratio. A diverse student population from all over the world is fairly split between males and females, and the average class size is twenty students. With an understanding of the importance of quality relationships between students, parents, and teachers, Mulgrave focuses on a well rounded approach to learning, in the hopes of fully nurturing all aspects of a child’s development. Mulgrave is an International Baccalaureate Continuum school, meaning they can offer classes for K-12.

Irwin Park Elementary School

They have a well-qualified, committed staff of teachers and support personnel, and they value literacy and uninterrupted learning. Extracurricular activities are also offered, including many sports and clubs. Irwin Park tries to incorporate the values of calmness and self-control so their students can learn in an optimal environment. Self-regulation is thoroughly taught and encouraged, such that students learn to better control their own rate of learning.

West Bay Elementary School

This is an International Baccalaureate school that offers Primary Year Programs for students K-7. The IB curriculum strives to produce internationally minded people who understand the need for cooperation across the planet. To strike such a balance, they focus on the five elements of knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and action. With these five pillars, West Bay hopes to develop open-minded, knowledgeable, caring, and inquisitive members of society.

Collingwood School

This school was first opened in 1984 by a group of bold and visionary parents wishing to give their children the best education possible. Those values continue to this day, and the goal of the school is nothing less than for their students to thrive. To that end, Collingwood School tries to weave positive meaning into the life of each student via the Four Strands of development; Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Service. An education from Collingwood is designed to stretch and mold a young mind in all aspects, and from an early age, in order to make contributive and resilient world citizens.

École Cedardale Elementary School

They want to develop an atmosphere of inclusion and collaboration within a lifelong community of multi-lingual students. Creativity and knowledge are the cornerstones of inspiration, and École Cedardale strives to utilize critical thinking while taking respectful action both abroad and locally. They are a candidate for IB authorization and hope to become a Primary Years Program school, as the values of the IB perfectly reflect the values École Cedardale wants to pass on to their students.

These schools have a proven record of excellence in West Vancouver, but they are not the only options available. The ranking system by the Frasier Institute is an important tool for guiding yourself to the best choice for your needs, but it is only a tool. The real choice must be made by you once all the options have been weighed. Factors such as location, diversity, class offerings, and extracurriculars are all critical when making a decision. If you are looking for a school in the West Vancouver area, this list would be an excellent resource to begin your search.