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Skwo:wech
About
Skwo:wech Elementary is located at 331 Richmond St, New Westminster, BC V3L 4B7, in the Sapperton neighbourhood. The school is a K–5 community offering both Montessori and Regular programs, serving around 460 students with the support of over 50 staff. In 2022, the school moved into a new building and adopted the name “Skwo:wech” (“sturgeon” in Halkomelem) as part of its commitment to reconciliation. The school highlights a diverse, inclusive community organized into five learning communities (Salmon, Bear, Wolf, Raven, and Eagle) and aims to provide a safe, respectful, caring environment that supports academic, social, and emotional growth.
At a Glance
School type: Public School (New Westminster)
Education language: English
Religious affiliation: None / Secular
Grades: K-5
Phone: 604 517-6090
Email: kmillard@sd40.bc.ca
Principal: Kathleen Chad
Programs and Services
Montessori program Skwo:wech offers both Montessori and Regular (neighbourhood) programs for K–5 students. Early years and childcare The school offers StrongStart and onsite daycare services to support local families. Food program Fuel Up! Lunch Program allows families to order nutritious, affordable lunches through a partner provider (The Lunch Lady). Menus align with provincial nutrition guidelines and include options such as vegetarian and halal choices. Student support / special education The school’s personal digital device policy includes exceptions for students who require devices for inclusion due to an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Learning Support Plan (LSP), or medical/health needs (as outlined in their plans).
School Culture and Expectations
Skwo:wech’s Code of Conduct emphasizes respect, responsibility, safety, and maintaining a positive learning environment, aligned with the BC Human Rights Code and district expectations. The school prohibits discrimination on protected grounds and explicitly includes protection for LGBTQ2S+ students. Expectations include using respectful language, being punctual and prepared, and following instructions. Personal digital devices are restricted “bell-to-bell” during the school day, with limited exceptions tied to IEP/LSP or documented medical needs; restorative approaches are emphasized where possible.
Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here
Families are asked to use sidewalks and marked crosswalks and to avoid the staff parking lots during drop-off and pick-up. Vehicle drop-off is available only on the upper end of School Street and along the back portion of Devoy Street, and the school suggests parking a block or two away and walking when possible. A suggested drop-off route is provided (north on Devoy Street, right on School Street to the passenger drop-off zone), and families are asked to avoid Archer Street during busy times due to congestion and lack of safe turnaround space. The school also points families to the City of New Westminster’s safe travel routes to support safe active travel to school.
Enrollment
Families are directed to follow the district’s registration process and timelines via the district registration page. For registering during the school year or after deadlines, families are asked to book an appointment with the district registration team, bring completed forms and required paperwork, and note that placement is based on catchment and space availability; families can request a translator when booking. If a school is at maximum capacity, out-of-catchment applications/transfers may not be accepted (with limited sibling exceptions), and placements for high-demand schools may use a lottery; students may be placed at the next available school and added to a waitlist for their catchment school.
Location
Site: newwestschools.ca/skwowech/
Phone: 604 517-6090
Address: 331 Richmond St, New Westminster, BC V3L 4B7
Skwo:wech Reviews
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Academic Learning of Skwo:wech
48.93
Academic Performance
Academic Performance Score
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 overall score: 49 - in line with the district average of 50, within 1 point.
Literacy: 48
Numeracy: 50
Literacy and numeracy are closely matched.
68.20
Student Commitment to Learning
Student Commitment
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 68 - well above the province public school average of 51, ahead by 17 points.
Students report stronger engagement, effort, and investment in learning than comparable schools, pointing to solid day-to-day learning habits.
67.28
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 67 - well above the province public school average of 50, ahead by 17 points.
Students report stronger problem solving, analysis, and independent thinking than comparable schools, suggesting this is a relative strength.
79.55
College and Career Readiness
Readiness for Future
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 80 - well above the province public school average of 53, ahead by 27 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 48, numeracy is 50, and overall is 49.
Compared with 2019-2020, the overall score improved by 23 points.
In the latest year, numeracy is the strongest of the three measures at 50, while literacy is lowest at 48.
Across the available years, literacy improved by 19 points since 2019-2020, while numeracy improved by 27 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 49, student commitment to learning is 68, critical thinking is 67, and college and career readiness is 80.
The strongest current area is College and Career Readiness at 80, while Academic Performance is lowest at 49.
Academic Performance shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 15 points since 2019-2020.
Additional Information
Data is regularly updated to reflect the latest available academic scores and assessments from official school records.
Character and Wellbeing
68.89
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 69 - in line with the province public school average of 68, within 1 point.
Students report participation in school and community life at levels broadly similar to comparable schools.
66.84
Health
Health
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 67 - above the province public school average of 65, ahead by 2 points.
Students report stronger physical and emotional well-being than comparable schools, which points to a healthier overall student experience.
77.52
Work Ethic
Work Ethic
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 78 - above the province public school average of 74, ahead by 3 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 69, Health is 67, and Work Ethic is 78.
The strongest current area is Work Ethic at 78, while Health is lowest at 67.
Work Ethic shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 10 points since 2019/2020.
Resources
50.35
Learning Resources
Learning Resources
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 50 - below the province public school average of 52, trailing by 2 points.
Instructional resources are rated less positively than in comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen access or quality.
Resources Score Change Over Years
Resources Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Learning Resources is 50.
Learning Resources shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 9 points since 2019/2020.
School Culture
52.27
Academic Orientation
Academic Orientation
Showing latest available year: 2020-2021. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 52 - in line with the province public school average of 53, within 1 point.
Students report an academic orientation broadly similar to comparable schools.
81.73
Relationships
Relationships
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 82 - above the province public school average of 77, ahead by 4 points.
Students report stronger relationships among peers, staff, and the school community than in comparable schools, making this a relative strength.
69.90
Safety
Safety
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 70 - well above the province public school average of 59, ahead by 11 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 82 and Safety is 70.
The strongest current area is Relationships at 82, while Safety is lowest at 70.
Academic Orientation shows the largest shift across the available period, declined by 7 points since 2019/2020.
Teachers and Teaching Environment
61.67
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 62 - above the province public school average of 58, ahead by 4 points.
Teachers are rated more positively for instructional quality, knowledge, and professional practice than in comparable schools, suggesting a relative strength.
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 62.
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 13 points since 2019/2020.