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Herbert Spencer Elementary
About
École Herbert Spencer Elementary School is located at 605 Second St, New Westminster, BC V3L 5R9, in the historic Queen’s Park neighbourhood. It is a K–5 dual-track school offering both English and Early French Immersion. The school emphasizes student achievement and supporting all learners in a caring learning environment, with a goal of infusing Respect, Responsibility, and Relationships into school culture. The school also notes a culturally diverse community of more than 450 students and a long history in New Westminster (originally opened in 1911).
At a Glance
School type: Public School (New Westminster)
Education language: École Herbert Spencer is a dual-track English and Early French Immersion school. The school also offers support for English Language Learners (ELL) to help students develop the language skills and knowledge needed for success in Canadian schools and society.
Religious affiliation: None / Secular
Grades: K-5
Phone: 604 517-6030
Email: pmanville@sd40.bc.ca
Principal: Paul Manville
Education Languages
École Herbert Spencer is a dual-track English and Early French Immersion school. The school also offers support for English Language Learners (ELL) to help students develop the language skills and knowledge needed for success in Canadian schools and society.
Programs and Services
French Immersion (Program of Choice) The school is a dual-track English and Early French Immersion school. Indigenous/Aboriginal Education The Aboriginal Education program supports the academic and social success of Aboriginal students and provides cultural experiences for students. The school has an Aboriginal Support Worker who supports Aboriginal learners and shares Aboriginal culture within the school. Early Learning / Kindergarten readiness The school offers two early learning programs: Ready, Set, Learn (introducing four-year-olds to school) and Welcome to Kindergarten (suggestions to help parents prepare children for school). Inclusive Education / learning support The school states it strives to be inclusive, with a continuum of supports offered through school-based and district-based staff. English Language Learners (ELL) The ELL program supports students in developing English language skills and knowledge necessary for success in Canadian schools and society. Settlement support (SWIS) Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) supports immigrants, refugees, and other eligible clients with immediate settlement or ongoing needs after arrival in Canada. Family and community partnerships The school emphasizes nurturing community partnerships that promote the well-being of students and families.
School Culture and Expectations
The school highlights Respect, Responsibility, and Relationships as its core values and school goal. It states it strives to be an inclusive school where all students are engaged and diversity is celebrated. The school also references following Ministry of Education guidelines for “Safe, Caring, and Orderly Schools,” with clear expectations for acceptable behaviour and a focus on belonging. A school Code of Conduct is published on the website.
Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here
The school shares traffic safety expectations for families during drop-off and pick-up, including respecting designated handicapped parking spots on Second Street and on Princess and obeying lower speed zones and crossing guards. Crossing guards are provided at Sixth Avenue & Second Street, and Eighth Avenue & Second Street. The website also links to a street map and a “Best Walking Route” to the school. Visitors (including parents) are asked to check in with the office for safety.
Enrollment
The school provides online “Registration Information and Forms” for Kindergarten and new students. It posts a registration window for the 2026–27 school year and directs families to the registration page for details and forms.
Location
Site: herbertspencerschool.ca/
Phone: 604 517-6030
Address: 605 Second St, New Westminster, BC V3L 5R9
Herbert Spencer Elementary Reviews
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Academic Learning of Herbert Spencer Elementary
50.26
Academic Performance
Academic Performance Score
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 overall score: 50 - in line with the district average of 50, within 0 points.
Literacy: 49
Numeracy: 52
Numeracy is a relative strength; literacy has more room to grow.
73.37
Student Commitment to Learning
Student Commitment
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 73 - well above the province public school average of 51, ahead by 23 points.
Students report stronger engagement, effort, and investment in learning than comparable schools, pointing to solid day-to-day learning habits.
67.63
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 68 - well above the province public school average of 50, ahead by 18 points.
Students report stronger problem solving, analysis, and independent thinking than comparable schools, suggesting this is a relative strength.
91.44
College and Career Readiness
Readiness for Future
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 91 - well above the province public school average of 53, ahead by 39 points.
Students report stronger preparation for future learning, transitions, and career pathways than comparable schools, which points to a solid readiness profile.
Academic Scores by School Year
Clustered Academic Score Trends
School year trend view: Grade 4. In 2024-2025, literacy is 49, numeracy is 52, and overall is 50.
Compared with 2019-2020, the overall score improved by 3 points.
In the latest year, numeracy is the strongest of the three measures at 52, while literacy is lowest at 49.
Across the available years, literacy was broadly stable since 2019-2020, while numeracy improved by 5 points since 2019-2020.
Academic Performance Score Change Over Years
Academic Performance Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024-2025, academic performance is 50, student commitment to learning is 73, critical thinking is 68, and college and career readiness is 91.
The strongest current area is College and Career Readiness at 91, while Academic Performance is lowest at 50.
College and Career Readiness shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 16 points since 2021-2022.
Additional Information
Data is regularly updated to reflect the latest available academic scores and assessments from official school records.
Character and Wellbeing
76.36
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 76 - well above the province public school average of 68, ahead by 8 points.
Students report stronger participation in school and community life than comparable schools, suggesting a healthy sense of involvement and contribution.
70.31
Health
Health
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 70 - well above the province public school average of 65, ahead by 6 points.
Students report stronger physical and emotional well-being than comparable schools, which points to a healthier overall student experience.
84.92
Work Ethic
Work Ethic
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 85 - well above the province public school average of 74, ahead by 11 points.
Students report stronger effort, persistence, and responsibility than comparable schools, suggesting productive day-to-day learning habits.
Character and Wellbeing Score Change Over Years
Character and Wellbeing Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Civic Engagement is 76, Health is 70, and Work Ethic is 85.
The strongest current area is Work Ethic at 85, while Health is lowest at 70.
Civic Engagement shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 9 points since 2019/2020.
Resources
51.99
Learning Resources
Learning Resources
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 52 - in line with the province public school average of 52, within 0 points.
Instructional resources are rated at levels broadly similar to comparable schools.
Resources Score Change Over Years
Resources Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Learning Resources is 52.
Learning Resources shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 4 points since 2019/2020.
School Culture
48.31
Academic Orientation
Academic Orientation
Showing latest available year: 2020-2021. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 48 - well below the province public school average of 53, trailing by 5 points.
Students report a weaker academic orientation than in comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen the school's learning focus and academic expectations.
86.52
Relationships
Relationships
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 87 - well above the province public school average of 77, ahead by 9 points.
Students report stronger relationships among peers, staff, and the school community than in comparable schools, making this a relative strength.
73.08
Safety
Safety
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 73 - well above the province public school average of 59, ahead by 14 points.
Students report a stronger sense of physical and emotional safety than in comparable schools, suggesting the school environment feels more secure and supportive.
School Culture Score Change Over Years
School Culture Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Relationships is 87 and Safety is 73.
The strongest current area is Relationships at 87, while Safety is lowest at 73.
Academic Orientation shows the largest shift across the available period, declined by 15 points since 2019/2020.
Teachers and Teaching Environment
56.67
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 57 - in line with the province public school average of 58, within 1 point.
Teachers are rated for instructional quality, knowledge, and professional practice at levels broadly similar to comparable schools.
Teachers and Teaching Environment Score Change Over Years
Teachers and Teaching Environment Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Knowledge and Skills of Teachers is 57.
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers shows the largest shift across the available period, declined by 10 points since 2019/2020.