Founded in 1984 and led by Head of School Lisa Evans, Collingwood School is an independent co-educational day school situated in West Vancouver. As one of Canada's largest gender-inclusive independent schools, it operates across two campuses: the Wentworth Campus for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7 and the Morven Campus for Grades 8 to 12. The school is named after the HMCS Collingwood, a ship that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Its non-denominational foundation welcomes families from diverse backgrounds, fostering a collaborative learning atmosphere.
The school is accredited by CAIS and delivers a curriculum from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, incorporating programs such as Advanced Placement, university preparation, a Targeted Support Program, and inclusive education. Its educational philosophy centers around the Four Strands model—academics, athletics, arts, and service learning—which emphasizes experiential learning, collaboration, character development, and problem-solving across disciplines. In the Senior School, students navigate a 2-5-1 trimester system designed to support academic and personal growth.
Campus life offers a wide variety of athletic programs, including swimming, soccer, basketball, skiing, mountain biking, and rowing, alongside dedicated visual and performing arts departments. Community involvement is integral to the student experience, with regular participation in local and global service initiatives. The school's membership in the international Round Square network further promotes global citizenship through service, challenge, adventure, and intercultural understanding.
To recognize well-rounded achievement, a distinctive certificate program motivates students to excel across academics, athletics, arts, community service, and citizenship. Admissions intakes primarily occur at Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 3, and Grade 8. The admissions process includes required document uploads, assessments, and interviews, with an application fee of $350. Annual tuition ranges from $30,075 for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5, up to $32,750 for Grades 10 to 12, alongside a new student administration fee of $7,500.
Encouraging curiosity in children is a fundamental component of lifelong learning and cognitive development, often nurtured by embracing questions and exploring diverse interests both inside and outside the classroom. Families and educators can cultivate this inquisitive mindset by providing opportunities for open-ended exploration, encouraging creative problem-solving, and supporting children as they investigate topics that capture their imagination. When children are given the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and pursue answers independently, they build resilience and critical thinking skills. Integrating hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and exposure to various disciplines—such as the arts, sciences, and humanities—allows learners to draw connections between different subjects and the world around them. Supporting this natural sense of wonder helps students remain actively engaged in their education, transforming everyday experiences into meaningful opportunities for discovery and personal growth.
