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Columbia Academy

Canada, Vancouver

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$16,800 - 24,000
Ages 5 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2014
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages French, Mandarin
Typical class size 15
Strengths Academic Enrichment, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Columbia Academy is a K–12 school in downtown Vancouver, with the Elementary Campus at 792 Beatty Street and the High School Campus at 602 West Hastings Street. It delivers the British Columbia Ministry of Education curriculum and is AP-certified, with an AP test center offering courses such as AP Statistics, AP World History, AP Calculus, AP Psychology, AP Chemistry, and AP United States History. The school serves ages 5 to 18 and emphasizes small class sizes, personalized university planning, and university pathway. A distinctive program is the BC-certified Happiness Course, derived from a Harvard initiative. Facilities at the High School campus include a Large Dance Studio, a Large Dining Hall, an Outdoor Plaza, a Music Room, and a Library, plus a First Aid Room. Co-curriculars include math competitions, volunteering, and after-school tutoring at no extra cost; clubs cover music, dance, art, debate, coding, and more. A volunteer culture underpins events.

Yaletown Campus (Elementary, K–7): 792 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M1; Coal Harbour Campus (Middle & High School, Grades 8–12): 602 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1P2

Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials

Columbia Academy has typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
Two campuses in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia: the Elementary School (K–7) at 792 Beatty Street in Yaletown and the High School (8–12) at 602 West Hastings Street in Coal Harbour. The downtown campuses are near BC Place and are accessible by SkyTrain, Waterfront Station connections, and downtown bus routes.

Stages
Kindergarten to Grade 12 (Elementary School K–7; High School 8–12).

Type
Private, independent school offering Kindergarten through Grade 12; accredited by the BC Ministry of Education.

School day structure
School day runs 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Elementary drop-off begins at 8:00 AM and pick-up is at 5:30 PM.
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at Columbia Academy ranges from CAD 16,800 to CAD 24,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Domestic (K–12): CAD 200 one-time, non-refundable.
- International (K–12): CAD 300 one-time, non-refundable.

Tuition fees by school year (annual and per term / semester)

- High School (Grades 8–12):
- Domestic full‑time annual tuition: CAD 16,800 per academic year. Per semester (two semesters per year): CAD 8,400.
- International full‑time annual tuition: CAD 22,800 per academic year. Per semester (two semesters per year): CAD 11,400. The full‑time program covers up to 8 courses per year (4 courses per semester). Extra courses are charged separately.

- Elementary / Junior School (Kindergarten–Grade 7):
- Domestic full‑time annual tuition (2025/26 fee schedule): CAD 20,000 per academic year. Where fees are billed by term/semester, the per‑term amount is one half of the annual tuition (CAD 10,000 per semester).
- International full‑time annual tuition (2025/26 fee schedule): CAD 24,000 per academic year. Per semester (if billed by semester): CAD 12,000.

Student service / activities / supplies fees and other recurring charges

- High School student service fee: CAD 1,000 per year (covers textbooks, technology, school supplies, most events, competition preparation, extra tutoring hours, clubs and after‑school activities).
- Elementary activities and school supplies fee: CAD 1,000 per year (covers textbooks, technology, supplies, and most school events). After‑school care for K–G2: CAD 1,000 annual flat fee or CAD 20 per day drop‑in rate.
- Graduation fee (Grade 12): CAD 200 (one‑time, charged in the year the student enters Grade 12).
- Uniform: Mandatory; typical one‑time uniform purchase ranges between CAD 400 and CAD 500.
- Textbook / book fee or optional fees (where applied): historically there have been one‑time book or materials charges; specific programs or lost/ damaged materials may incur additional charges.

Homestay / boarding arrangements (where applicable)

- Columbia Academy does not operate on‑campus boarding; a homestay placement service is provided for international students.
- Homestay application fee: CAD 400 (one‑time).
- Homestay placement fee (first month): CAD 200.
- Homestay monthly fee (host family): typically CAD 1,600–CAD 2,000 per month for the first month (amount varies by location and host family).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school operates on an academic calendar with terms/semesters; the high‑school program is structured as two semesters per year (4 courses per semester). Tuition figures above are annual; per‑semester splits follow the two‑semester structure (half of the annual fee per semester).
- For a student's first two terms, payment of all fees and tuition is due before the first day of classes. After the first two terms, tuition and fees for a returning term are due no less than 60 calendar days before the start of that term. Tuition balances may not be transferred between terms. Late payment incurs a surcharge (example: 5%) or may result in removal from classes.
- Additional charges may be applied for damage to school property, unreturned textbooks or supplies, extra courses, or other program‑specific items.

Refund information

- Full prepaid tuition is refunded only if an international student fails to obtain a Study Permit (visa refusal), subject to an administration fee of CAD 500 deducted from the refund. Refund requests require an official refusal letter from Immigration and a Refund Request form; the school may require notarized documentation. ─ For other withdrawal timing: half (1/2) of prepaid tuition is refundable if the student withdraws prior to the program start; one‑third (1/3) of prepaid tuition is refundable if the student withdraws within 15 days after the program starts. Prepaid tuition is not refundable for expulsions under the school's Code of Conduct.

Other one‑time or occasional fees

- Application fees (see above).
- Homestay application, placement and first‑month fees (see homestay section).
- Charges for extra courses beyond the standard full‑time load.
- Possible medical/private insurance costs for international students for the initial months in Canada (the school assists with private coverage during the first three months; after that students may enroll in the B.C. Medical Services Plan where eligible).

Fee payment options

- Accepted payment types include: cheque; pre‑authorized debit; credit card; wire transfer; money order or bank draft; online banking payments. Cash is not accepted. The school accepts payments from major Canadian banks and credit unions.

Notes on billing mechanics and incidental items

- Where fees are shown as annual figures above, standard practice at Columbia Academy is to treat the academic year as two semesters for billing and course‑load calculations; per‑semester amounts are therefore half the annual figure for full‑time programs unless a specific schedule or invoice states otherwise. Extra or optional services may be invoiced separately and due according to the school's invoice terms.
Academics

Columbia Academy teaches Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
Columbia Academy offers a K–12 program in downtown Vancouver, accredited by the BC Ministry of Education. The Elementary School serves grades K–7 and the High School serves grades 8–12. The BC curriculum underpins the program, and Columbia Academy is AP-certified with an AP test center. The school emphasizes small class sizes and a broad range of co-curriculars, including math competitions, clubs, volunteering, and after-school tutoring. The school also provides personalized university planning to support students in gaining admission to top universities.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes enable personalized attention from teachers.

Higher Education Progression
100% of graduates have been accepted by universities, with 90% entering the world's Top 50 universities; personalized university planning helps students reach their dream university.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Submission of the application package. Submitting the application package begins the admissions process. This is the first step in Columbia Academy's admissions sequence. Step 2 is Interviews. Step 2: Interviews. Interviews are conducted as part of the admissions process. This stage follows the submission of the application package. The interview precedes the final acceptance decision. Step 3 is Acceptance. Step 3: Acceptance. Acceptance is the final step of the admissions process. An acceptance decision marks admission to Columbia Academy. Admitted students may proceed with enrollment. The admissions process is concluded with acceptance.

Scholarships
Principal's Scholarship: The Principal's Scholarship is offered to full-time students every semester. Eligibility requires active involvement in community work and a passion for volunteering; an average across all courses above 85% (conditions may apply); a positive attitude; and being a role model for others. To apply, submit a letter describing achievements along with two teacher recommendations. The deadline is the last day of the current semester. Dedication Award: Current Columbia Academy students with a 100% attendance record and never being late are automatically eligible for a Dedication Award.
School Events
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