Mulgrave is one of the few preschool to Grade 12 IB continuum schools in the Vancouver area, offering a liberal arts style of education that gives students the tools necessary to thrive in tomorrow’s world and gain the skills needed for university and life. Through involvement in the arts, athletics, service and leadership, outdoor education and entrepreneurial programming, students benefit from holistic learning, alongside a rigorous academic curriculum. “We aim for a whole-child education and not just the pursuit of scores,” says Kailan Leung, vice principal and Enriched Pathways coordinator. “Our focus is on the pursuit of personal best and individual growth, which is different for each student.”
A key differentiator for Mulgrave is that students are ‘seen’ and ‘belong’. Jack McKillop, Senior School principal explains, “Faculty have the time and the capacity; class sizes in Grades 11-12 are maximum of 18 students and all students also have an advisor teacher who is their go-to person, in addition to other resources.”
Julia Clark, vice principal (Student Wellbeing, Life and Leadership) adds, “Students participate in a Character Education programme which teaches life skills to support student mental wellbeing through an understanding of the signs of anxiety and related strategies, and learning to recognise when someone close to them needs assistance. It is effective in helping students, not only during their time at Mulgrave but for whatever comes next.” This is in addition to having access to a dedicated personal counsellor and a robust peer counselling network.
Diversity and inclusion are core values of the school. The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme focuses on teaching perspectives and challenges students to think critically about the world through broad research and global thinking. “This comes from our own faculty and student body as well as through classroom learning – such as literature and the opportunity to study Mandarin, French or Spanish in class or Persian as a school-supported self-taught language – as well as active participation in Indigenous education in support of Truth and Reconciliation and hands-on experiences throughout our city and beyond,” explains Aziz Batada, vice principal & IB Diploma programme coordinator.
Ms. Clark adds, “There is also incredible value in learning from one’s peers, since all of them bring different perspectives of the world. This is one of the reasons we are so committed to needs-based financial assistance. It includes more than just tuition; having the Mulgrave experience extends to participation in trips, and access to transportation and technology, for example.”
With their youngest students set to graduate in 2039, Mulgrave strives to be forward-thinking in the needs of students and the world that they will enter well into the future. Through opportunities to develop collaboration and leadership skills, engage in entrepreneurial programming, and learn how to think about complex systems, Mulgrave students build their agility and resilience. They are also well-supported by a team of University and Career Counsellors who focus on course planning and post-secondary pursuits. This includes guidance with university and scholarship applications, and opportunities to interact with representatives from post-secondary institutions across Canada and abroad. Additionally, students gain practical assistance in areas such as resume writing and interview preparation as well as networking opportunities with professionals from diverse industries.
“Mulgrave offers students a lot of opportunities to figure out who they are and what their future trajectory can look like,” concludes Mr. McKillop. “It’s a place where young people can discover, grow, and build their confidence.”
Find out more at here.mulgrave.com or by scanning the QR code below.
