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Courtenay Elementary
About
Courtenay Elementary is located at 1540 Mcphee Ave, Courtenay, BC V9N 3A5. The school opened in 1953 as Courtenay West School and was later renamed Courtenay Elementary School, continuing to operate in the same location on McPhee Avenue. The school also offers a publicly funded Montessori choice program as an integral part of the school.
At a Glance
School type: Public School (Comox Valley)
Education language: English
Religious affiliation: None / Secular
Grades: K-5
Phone: 250 338-5396
Email: courtenay@sd71.bc.ca
Principal: Al Johnson
Programs and Services
Early Years Programs StrongStart BC is a free, drop-in early learning program for children from birth to 5 years old, attended with a parent or caregiver, and includes activities like story time, play, and a healthy snack. JumpStart Preschool is a community-based program (in partnership with SD71) that emphasizes play-based learning and supports early literacy, numeracy, social skills, and self-confidence. Food programs The school runs a breakfast club for students who did not have breakfast at home, and also prepares healthy, fresh lunches through its lunch program. These supports are funded through Community LINK and partner grants, with food donations also supporting the program. Physical activity (before school) The school opens the gym each morning for students who want physical activity before classes, to help students be ready to learn. Clubs (after school) Courtenay Elementary runs athletic, fine arts, and garden clubs after school most days. Programs are open to all students, with priority given to students from vulnerable families. Montessori (choice program) Courtenay Elementary offers a publicly funded Montessori Program through SD71, taught by BC-certified, Montessori-trained teachers. Students learn both the provincial and Montessori curricula, with an emphasis on peace education, grace and courtesy, community, and independence through hands-on learning.
School Culture and Expectations
The school’s code of conduct emphasizes students’ rights to be treated with respect, learn in a positive environment, belong without discrimination, and be safe and successful. Students are expected to be kind and respectful, come prepared to learn, respect each person’s uniqueness, and help keep the school safe. The code applies at school, while traveling to and from school, and during school functions; consequences are intended to be fair and, where possible, restorative. The school also outlines expectations for dress and for responsible use of personal digital devices (including BYOD with permission and supervision).
Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here
Accessible parking is limited: the staff lot has two accessible parking spaces, and families are asked not to use them without an accessible pass. Families are also asked not to park in the bus zone (between the red cones) or in the staff portion of the parking lot before or after school; there is a small parent lot beside the alley before entering the main staff area.
Location
Site: www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/courtenay-elementary/
Phone: 250 338-5396
Address: 1540 Mcphee Ave, Courtenay, BC V9N 3A5
Courtenay Elementary Reviews
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Academic Learning of Courtenay Elementary
28.23
Academic Performance
Academic Performance Score
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 overall score: 28 - well below the district public school average of 42, trailing by 14 points.
Literacy: 27
Numeracy: 29
Literacy and numeracy are closely matched.
59.00
Student Commitment to Learning
Student Commitment
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 59 - above the district public school average of 54, ahead by 5 points.
Students report stronger engagement, effort, and investment in learning than comparable schools, pointing to solid day-to-day learning habits.
40.00
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 40 - well below the district public school average of 54, trailing by 14 points.
Students report weaker problem solving, analysis, and independent thinking than comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen this area.
85.00
College and Career Readiness
Readiness for Future
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 85 - well above the district public school average of 56, ahead by 29 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 27, numeracy is 29, and overall is 28.
Compared with 2019-2020, the overall score declined by 3 points.
In the latest year, numeracy is the strongest of the three measures at 29, while literacy is lowest at 27.
Across the available years, literacy declined by 4 points since 2019-2020, while numeracy was broadly stable 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 28, student commitment to learning is 59, critical thinking is 40, and college and career readiness is 85.
The strongest current area is College and Career Readiness at 85, while Academic Performance is lowest at 28.
Critical Thinking shows the largest shift across the available period, declined by 24 points since 2020-2021.
Additional Information
Data is regularly updated to reflect the latest available academic scores and assessments from official school records.
Character and Wellbeing
68.33
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 68 - below the district public school average of 71, trailing by 2 points.
Students report weaker participation in school and community life than comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen voice, involvement, and connection.
61.79
Health
Health
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 62 - below the district public school average of 64, trailing by 2 points.
Students report weaker physical and emotional well-being than comparable schools, making health and well-being an area to watch closely.
66.87
Work Ethic
Work Ethic
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 67 - well below the district public school average of 72, trailing by 6 points.
Students report weaker effort, persistence, and responsibility than comparable schools, suggesting work habits are an area to strengthen.
Character and Wellbeing Score Change Over Years
Character and Wellbeing Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Civic Engagement is 68, Health is 62, and Work Ethic is 67.
The strongest current area is Civic Engagement at 68, while Health is lowest at 62.
Civic Engagement shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 7 points since 2020/2021.
Resources
21.88
Learning Resources
Learning Resources
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 22 - well below the district public school average of 56, trailing by 34 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 22.
Learning Resources shows the largest shift across the available period, declined by 15 points since 2019/2020.
School Culture
85.00
Relationships
Relationships
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 85 - well above the district public school average of 77, ahead by 8 points.
Students report stronger relationships among peers, staff, and the school community than in comparable schools, making this a relative strength.
48.75
Safety
Safety
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 49 - well below the district public school average of 59, trailing by 10 points.
Students report a weaker sense of physical and emotional safety than in comparable schools, making this an area that deserves close attention.
School Culture Score Change Over Years
School Culture Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Relationships is 85 and Safety is 49.
The strongest current area is Relationships at 85, while Safety is lowest at 49.
Relationships shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 11 points since 2019/2020.
Teachers and Teaching Environment
50.00
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 50 - below the district public school average of 52, trailing by 2 points.
Teachers are rated less positively for instructional quality, knowledge, and professional practice than in comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen this area.
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 50.