Columbia Academy

About

Columbia Academy’s Yaletown (Elementary) campus is located at 792 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M1 in downtown Vancouver. Founded in 2014, Columbia Academy is an independent K–12 school accredited by the BC Ministry of Education that emphasizes academic excellence and holistic student development, including volunteer work, charitable activities, extracurricular involvement, and resilience and empathy.

At a Glance

School type: Independent School (Vancouver)

Education language: The school references English readiness for elementary applicants and offers language learning in French and Mandarin starting in the early grades. The site also offers AP Chinese Language and Culture as part of its high school AP offerings. No immersion/bilingual program or English Language Learning (ELL) support model is described in the provided sources.

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: K-12

Phone: 778 379-6811

Email: info@columbiaacademy.ca

Principal: Benjamin Lane

Education Languages

The school references English readiness for elementary applicants and offers language learning in French and Mandarin starting in the early grades. The site also offers AP Chinese Language and Culture as part of its high school AP offerings. No immersion/bilingual program or English Language Learning (ELL) support model is described in the provided sources.

Programs and Services

Advanced Placement (AP) Columbia Academy states it is a certified AP school and an official AP testing center. The school offers AP courses/exams in specific subjects (availability may vary), including AP Calculus AB/BC, Chemistry, Chinese Language and Culture, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Statistics, and United States History. Music / Arts In the K–7 program, the school says it values the arts and that students learn three musical instruments starting in Kindergarten. The school also lists club activities such as Music, Dance, and Art. Academic support Columbia Academy offers after-school tutoring at no extra cost to provide students with extra support. The school also describes small class sizes (elementary classes capped at 15 students) to support more personalized attention. Student leadership, service, and wellbeing The school emphasizes volunteer work, charitable activities, and clubs; it also describes a BC-certified “Happiness Course” derived from a Harvard course. Examples of clubs mentioned include a teacher-led WeLove Club focused on healthy relationships and a student-led Helping Club focused on acts of kindness. Competitions Students who are passionate about mathematics can participate in national and international math competitions with teacher support and guidance, and the school also references “competitive events” as part of its program.

School Culture and Expectations

Columbia Academy describes a “loving and caring learning environment” focused on holistic development and preparing students for life, with personal and academic goals set and reached during their time at the school. The school’s stated values include communication, happiness, integrity, compassion, resilience, and responsibility. It also states that students are “always safe, respected and accepted” in a healthy educational environment and highlights community-building through volunteering, clubs, and seasonal events.

Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here

For the elementary campus, the school highlights its downtown/Yaletown location beside BC Place and within walking distance of major transit hubs (SkyTrain stations, Waterfront Station connections, and downtown bus routes). The site also notes this location can support a commuting routine for working families with morning drop-off and late afternoon pick-up. No parking details are provided in the sources.

Enrollment

Columbia Academy directs families to apply through a three-step process: submit an application package (including the application form, report cards/transcripts from the previous two years, and a non-refundable application fee), complete an interview, and then proceed to acceptance/enrollment if it is a fit. For acceptance, the school issues a tuition invoice and confirms acceptance upon receipt of tuition payment, followed by required enrollment documents. International applicants are advised to begin the study permit process 3–4 months in advance; the school lists typical Immigration Canada documentation (e.g., letter of acceptance, tuition fee receipt, and custodianship letter if required).