The Balsam School

About

The Balsam School is located at 101-460 Doyle Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 0C2. The school describes itself as a premier, nature-inspired elementary school rooted in community and connected to nature, using the city, community, and the outdoors as integrated classrooms. It emphasizes rigorous academics and is an IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Candidate School pursuing authorization as an IB World School.

At a Glance

School type: Independent School (Central Okanagan)

Education language: English

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: K-7

Phone: 250 575-0832

Email: principal@thebalsamschool.ca

Principal: Erin Hussey

Programs and Services

International Baccalaureate (IB) / Primary Years Programme (PYP) The school states it is a Candidate School for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. Nature- and community-integrated learning (experiential, inquiry-based) The school describes its program as broad, experiential, and inquiry-based, with nature and community used as “vital, comprehensive, and integrated learning spaces,” and with regular learning in nature and the community. Student support / inclusive (special) education The school states it has very limited supports for students with inclusive education needs, and that students may be well suited if they can participate meaningfully and safely in all aspects of the program without additional resources or supports. Safety and emergency preparedness (community/outdoor learning) The school emphasizes safety routines and expectations when learning outside the classroom, and describes an Emergency Preparedness Plan with staff training requirements, protocols, drills, and student education related to community and environmental awareness.

School Culture and Expectations

The Balsam School emphasizes resilience, contribution (service), self-leadership, rigour, connection to nature, collaboration, compassion, and global awareness as core values. It states that students are “always safe, but not always comfortable,” and frames learning as a “big ask” requiring students to self-regulate, listen, follow instructions, and handle multiple transitions across classroom, community, and nature settings. The school explicitly notes that behaviour disruptive to others’ learning or safety is not acceptable.

Enrollment

Admissions typically begin with an online School Interest Form, followed by an Interested Family Form after an initial call/email, then a family tour with the Head of School. The school communicates an admissions decision (enroll, join a waiting pool if a grade is full, or referral if not a fit), and accepted families complete an enrollment package and orientation. The school notes Kindergarten is the main entry point and spaces in other grades are often limited, with a waiting pool encouraged.