Vancouver School Board Custodian
Vancouver School Board Custodian
- Founded: 1852
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Type: Public School
- Number of Students: 55,567
- Tuition Fees: 15,000 CAD per year (secondary and elementary)
- Grade: Kindergarten — Grade 12
The Vancouver School Board (VSB) is large, urban and multicultural. It is located in British Columbia, Canada's third most populated province known for its beautiful nature and high living standards. The safe and inclusive environment of the Vancouver School District helps students focus on their progress and discover their intellectual, social and physical potential. It is worth mentioning, that some of the VBS programs and services pay specific attention to the Coast-Salish indigenous traditions of these lands. The Vancouver Schools District also welcomes international students. Their annual number exceeds 1,500. Recent statistic research identified 160 languages spoken at the local schools.
Vancouver School Board Custodian
The Vancouver School Board consists of almost 90 elementary schools, 18 secondary schools, and 2 adult education centers. Typical school size ranges between 400-2000 students who get all the attention of their teachers, as the student-teacher ratio is good — 20-30 students per one teacher. The goal of the VBS is to help every person achieve their most ambitious educational goals. A variety of programs are designed to meet the needs of students and their parents. Numerous publications and videos are available at the VBS Newcomer Welcome Center. The Center also provides support services in learning English for newly arrived families.
The graduates of the VSD have all the necessary qualifications and usually continue their education at the best Canadian colleges and in other parts of the world. The International Baccalaureate (IB) at the VBS is available for students with good academic results. It is a two-year program (grades 11-12) which focuses on the development of skills necessary for high-quality post-graduate education. The main focus of the IB program is made on the study of languages, experimental sciences, humanities, and math. Experience in community service is a plus for the candidates.
Extracurricular programs include community school teams, arts education, and district athletics. They are aimed to create a friendly and inspiring atmosphere and effectively simplify the adaptation process for the newcomers. Summer sessions help students to master specific skills or improve their results on particular subjects. There is no fee for Ministry funded courses.
The VSB offers its students a good possibility to develop their soft skills and improve future employability by joining various career programs. Students combine their studies with real-life working experience. Joining these programs, they get specific career-oriented knowledge and expertise. Improved personal confidence and a better vision of students’ professional choices are among other long-term benefits. Career programs also improve communication within the community, bringing secondary schools and businesses together.
The annual tuition fee is 15,000 CAD. But all the international students, in addition to a tuition fee, must buy a group medical insurance plan for 1,100 CAD per year. It does not cover dental care but includes visits to doctors and hospital care.
The Vancouver public schools offer their international students a unique and interesting program — homestay with a local family. Sure, it is the best way to learn more about Canadian culture and lifestyle. The program boasts 20 years of successful history. It includes orientation information, supervision, support by coordinators and even a pick-up at the airport. Host families are responsible for the student`s comfort and provide a good living and study environment. The program also includes three meals a day and advisory support of the host institution during the stay. The program fees include registration and placement: 525 CAD; host family fee: 900 CAD per month; custodian fee: 500 CAD; airport Pick-up fee: 75 CAD (payable in advance).
Regards,
The Custodian (Vancouver School Board Custodian)
