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York House School

Canada, Vancouver

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$31,225 - 31,900
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 700
Type Girls School
Opened 1932
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages French, English
Typical class size 20
Strengths Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

York House School is an independent JK to grade 12 day school for girls located at 4176 Alexandra Street in Vancouver. The BC Curriculum forms the core framework from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, with a Reggio Emilia inspired approach to inquiry and project based learning. Advanced Placement courses are offered, and students complete Capstone projects to demonstrate integrated knowledge. Electives are available through the Global Online Academy, allowing Grades 11 and 12 to supplement the core program with mostly asynchronous online studies. The school has a history dating to 1932 and a longstanding bilingual and bicultural tradition, including English and French programs and international exchanges. Facilities include a STEAM lab, a concert band, and a Wellness Hub, with athletic teams called the York House Tigers. York House educates 700 female-identifying students and emphasizes community involvement, leadership, and global awareness through service, exchanges, and a rich cocurricular program for learners.

4176 Alexandra Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 2V6, Canada

The Essentials

York House School has 700 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
York House School is located at 4176 Alexandra Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 2V6, Canada. It is an inclusive independent JK-12 school for girls in Vancouver, BC. The campus comprises the Little School, Junior School and Senior School.

Stages
JK-12; Little School (early years), Junior School (elementary), Senior School (secondary).

Type
Independent JK-12 day school for girls.

Additional learning support
Learning Strategies is offered to support students' learning.

Country affiliation
Canada
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school does not offer boarding or homestays.

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform; trousers are an option.

Food Options
The school has a cafeteria.

House System
Arbutus (Blue), Cypress (Yellow), Maple (Red), Pine (Green). Every student from Grade 3 to Grade 12 belongs to a House and earns points for academics, athletics, and Community Learning; the House with the most points receives the House Shield in Junior School and the House Trophy in Senior School.

Governance and Ownership
York House School is an inclusive independent JK-12 school for girls. It is governed by a Board of Governors comprising 12 elected members plus three advisors, and the Board appoints and delegates authority to the Head of School.
Fees

Annual tuition at York House School ranges from CAD 31,225 to CAD 31,900 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Application fee (non-refundable): CAD 350.
- Re-application fee (non-refundable): CAD 250.
- New Student Entrance Fee (non-refundable): CAD 5,000.

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts)

- Junior Kindergarten – Grade 7 (annual tuition): CAD 31,225.
- Grade 8 – Grade 12 (annual tuition): CAD 31,900.

Note: tuition is presented by the school as annual amounts for the 2025–26 academic year. The school does not publish a per-term breakdown on the public tuition page.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- A separate New Student Entrance Fee of CAD 5,000 is required and is non-refundable; application and re-application fees are non-refundable as stated above.
- The school indicates that families receive complete information about their financial obligations before enrollment; specific invoice dates, payment deadlines, and installment schedules are not published on the public tuition or admissions pages.

Boarding fees

- Not applicable. York House does not offer boarding or homestay; there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and compulsory/typical additional fees

- Parents' Association Membership Fee: CAD 25.
- Parents' Association Raffle Fee: CAD 100.
- Chronicle Yearbook Fee: CAD 90.
- Emergency Preparedness Fee (one-time; does not apply to JK): CAD 50.
- Textbook fee: Senior Kindergarten – Grade 7: CAD 125; Grade 8 – 12: CAD 250.
- Outdoor Education fees (per program/trip): CAD 325 – CAD 625 (range).
- Junior School After School Program (2025–26, subject to change): CAD 4,800.
- Little School After School Program (2025–26, subject to change): CAD 4,800.
- Alum Association one-time membership fee (does not apply to JK): CAD 100.

Refund information

- Application fees (CAD 350) and the re-application fee (CAD 250) are non-refundable. The New Student Entrance Fee (CAD 5,000) is non-refundable. No general tuition refund schedule or detailed refund policy is published on the public tuition or admissions pages.

Fee payment options

- Specific accepted payment methods (for example: credit card, debit card, bank transfer, cheque) are not listed on the public tuition or admissions pages. Families are told they will receive complete information about financial obligations prior to enrollment; for payment method details, families should use the school's published enrollment contacts.

Summary of findings and gaps

- Published, definitive items available on the school's public pages include: application and re-application fees; the CAD 5,000 new student entrance fee (all non-refundable); annual tuition amounts for Junior Kindergarten–Grade 7 and Grades 8–12 for 2025–26; and a list of common additional fees (textbooks, yearbook, outdoor education, after-school program fees, parents' association items, alumni fee).
- The public information does not include: a per-term tuition breakdown, a published billing calendar with invoice or due dates, a detailed refund schedule for tuition after enrollment, or explicit lists of accepted payment methods. These items are not available on the tuition, apply, or admissions policy pages.

If you need these missing operational details incorporated into your database (billing schedule, per-term amounts, accepted payment methods, or refund schedule), the school's enrollment/finance contacts can provide them directly.
Academics

York House School teaches Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP).

Curriculum
York House uses the BC Curriculum as its core framework from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. The learning approach is Reggio Emilia–inspired. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered, and students complete Capstone projects. Electives are available through the Global Online Academy, providing online courses beyond the core York House curriculum. GOA courses are designed to align with BC curriculum and are available to Grades 11 and 12 as add-ons to the timetable, with mostly asynchronous learning and some synchronous components.

Student Teacher Ratio
Junior Kindergarten: 16 students with two teachers; Senior Kindergarten: 20 students with two teachers. Junior School classes typically have 20–22 students, while Senior School classes range from 6 to 22 students depending on the subject.

Exam Results
100% of York House graduates receive offers of admission to post-secondary institutions in Canada and around the world. Graduates pursue studies in fields including architecture, law, engineering, and fashion. They have earned major entrance scholarships such as the Loran Award, the Schulich Leader Scholarship, and the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates pursue post-secondary education in Canada and around the world. The admissions advisory program provides one-on-one guidance, a resource centre, and post-secondary liaisons to help with course selection, applications, and scholarships. In Grade 11, students participate in Work Integrated Learning and complete a self-directed Capstone project, guided by mentors. York House graduates have received offers of admission to post-secondary institutions and have earned major scholarships, including the Loran Award, Schulich Leader Scholarship, and TD Scholarship for Community Leadership.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Well-being is prioritized alongside learning at York House. Personal counsellors provide a safe, confidential space for students to share thoughts, feelings, and experiences with trusted support. Counselling supports personal, mental health, social, academic, and health challenges and transitions or losses in life. Counsellors listen attentively and help students understand their emotions, develop new strategies for navigating experiences and relationships, and build coping skills and resilience. They also run wellness workshops for students on decision-making, problem-solving, emotional well-being, mental health, and stress management.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
York House offers a Learning Strategies program that recognizes each student's unique learning profile, with personalized guidance and support to develop learning toolkits and foster independence, confidence, and resilience. Learning Strategies teams at both the Junior and Senior Schools tailor needs-based and strengths-based support, working with students, families, and teachers to create inclusive environments where every neurotype is valued. Teachers partner with students to explore individual profiles and identify effective strategies to optimize learning, relationships, and well-being, with approaches ranging from small-group work in the Junior School to one-on-one or small-group support in the Senior School. The Admissions Policy notes that the school welcomes pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) and that the Learning Support Department provides the necessary support; families may be asked to provide reports to assist adjustments. The school welcomes pupils with physical disabilities provided the site can accommodate their needs; families should discuss requirements before entry, including EHCPs and related documentation; the school also welcomes pupils with EHCP plans where the required level of support can be provided as stated.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school welcomes pupils who have English as an additional language and discusses thoroughly with families any adjustments that can reasonably be made for the child when they join York House.

Mental Wellbeing
York House provides Wellness and Personal Counselling to support mental wellbeing. Counsellors offer a safe, confidential space and short-term counselling for personal, mental health, social, academic, and health concerns, and transitions. They also run wellness workshops on emotional well-being, mental health, decision-making, problem-solving, and stress management. Counsellors help students develop coping skills and resilience and support families with resources and referrals when appropriate.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding, Welfare of Children and Child Protection Policy applies to all sections of York House School, including EYFS. The school designates a safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputies; staff receive regular safeguarding training and induction, and the policy outlines procedures for recognizing and reporting concerns, dealing with disclosures, and multi-agency working. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and the school's child protection arrangements are reviewed annually, with clear pathways for referrals to local authorities and police as required. The school's aims include partnerships with families, robust policies, accessible child protection arrangements, and secure site, health and safety practices.
Parent Experience

History
York House School is an inclusive independent JK-12 school for girls in Vancouver, BC. It was founded in 1932 by seven fearless women who opened a small school in Shaughnessy Heights with 17 students and the motto Not for Ourselves Alone. In 1939 the school moved to 4176 Alexandra Street, where it remains today. A bilingual and bicultural program began in 1963, later evolving to the Accelerative Integrated Method for English and French, and Les Jeunes Voyageurs Canadiens formed in 1968 to support travel and global programs. In 1974 the school began enrolling boys in grades 1-6, but by 1990 the last male students graduated and York House returned to being all girls; today it educates nearly 700 female-identifying students.

Community
Our community is small, but that's part of the magic. The Alum Association, the Parents' Association, and the YHS Foundation form the core of Our Community. The Parents' Association promotes a sense of community among students, parents, and guardians through volunteering and fundraising for student scholarships. Annual fundraising events like Bid Night, the Tiger Party, and the PA Raffle raise funds for the YHS Tiger Scholarship Fund.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
York House School's Parents' Association promotes a sense of community among students, parents, and guardians through volunteering and fundraising for student scholarships. Every parent and guardian at YHS is a member of the Parents' Association and volunteers through various events and initiatives. Upholding the school motto Not for Ourselves Alone is an inspiration to the community. Annual fundraising events such as Bid Night, the Tiger Party, and the PA Raffle raise funds for the Tiger Scholarship Fund to provide opportunities for talented students. As a non-profit society, every dollar raised flows directly back into creating student opportunities. The Parents' Association maintains an executive team, including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Communications, Volunteer Coordinator, and Past President.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
York House School is an inclusive JK-12 school for girls in Vancouver, BC. The Little School for Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten is minutes from the main campus. Junior School serves Grades 1–7 and includes nature field trips, after-school clubs, and Tigers athletics. Senior School serves Grades 8–12 and features a STEAM lab, a concert band, and a Wellness Hub. AP courses, Global Online Academy, and Career-Life Connections complement senior learning.

Sports Facilities
York House supports athletics through Junior School and Senior School teams, known as the York House Tigers. The program emphasizes hard work, teamwork, and personal growth. Junior School offers cross-country, volleyball, swimming, basketball, and track and field. Senior School offers cross-country, volleyball, track, field hockey, swimming, basketball, alpine skiing, snowboarding, tennis, and golf. The Athletics program is dedicated to maintaining and improving athletic facilities and equipment. Facilities include a gym and swimming spaces used in Physical and Health Education.

Academic Facilities
STEAM lab enables design challenges. AP courses include English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition, French, Studio Art, Biology, Chemistry, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Physics 1 and 2, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, and Comparative Government & Politics. Global Online Academy provides online courses for Grades 11 and 12. Career-Life Connections (CLC) courses connect learning to life after high school and include Work-Integrated Learning. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada is part of the program.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Clubs include First Responders and Green Club, and there is an Incubator for Social Innovation. Outdoor Education activities and community learning extend beyond the classroom, including field trips and international exchanges. The Arts programs include Visual Arts, Drama, Media Arts, Textiles, and Music with performances and international travel. York Rose Players is the theatre troupe that presents a major production each year. Senior School ensembles such as Concert Choir and Chamber Choir have won gold rankings at Musicfest Canada.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
York House offers a wide range of clubs and programs that extend learning beyond the classroom. Senior School clubs include Debate and Speech, Model United Nations, Research and Science Fair Program, Biology Competition Club, and Science Club, while Junior School engages students with Mindfulness, Robotics, Choir, Drama, Improv, Board Games, and Puppetry & Storytelling. These activities develop critical thinking, collaboration, and research skills through hands-on inquiry.

Arts & Creative
Arts programs span Visual Arts, Drama, Media Arts, Film & Television, Textiles, and Music across all grades. The York Rose Players stage major productions each year; the Senior School Concert Choir and Chamber Choir earned gold rankings at Musicfest Canada in 2023. Grade 8 rotates through four Arts and innovation-based programs including Visual Art, Drama, Clothing and Textiles and ADST, and Grades 9–12 can choose from year-long electives, with AP courses available for 11–12.

Cultural & Language
Global awareness and cultural engagement are supported through Model United Nations and international exchanges to destinations such as Australia and the United Kingdom. The school also hosts cultural and identity clubs such as Gender and Sexuality Alliance and Let's Talk WOC: Unity and Change Collective. These opportunities connect students with diverse perspectives and global communities.

Social & Hobbies
A broad array of clubs supports social and hobby interests, including Mindfulness, Choir, Drama, Improv, Dance Club, Debate and Speech, Model United Nations, Food4U, Yearbook, and Wellness Club. Junior School clubs also include Robotics, Board Games, Puppetry & Storytelling, and more. Clubs run at lunch or after school, with student leadership guiding select programs such as Grade 7 Model UN.

Community & Service
Community Learning emphasizes Not for Ourselves Alone, with local partnerships including Vancouver Food Runners, Canuck Place Children's Hospice, The Terry Fox Foundation, Seniors for Seniors, The Reading Bear, and the Downtown Eastside community. Students organize initiatives such as Ramadan food drives and other drives for local shelters and nonprofits; The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada is offered, and Outdoor Education includes off-site adventures and international excursions.

Leadership & Professional
Junior School Leadership Roles include Co-Head Students, Head Student, Vice-Head Student, House Leaders, and Playground Pals, plus grade-specific leadership duties. Senior School has a Student Executive Council with Head Student, Vice-Head Student, Community Service Captains, House Captains, Grade 12 Class Presidents, and Student Heads; Student Ambassadors welcome new families and support campus events. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and Outdoor Education provide further opportunities to develop leadership, resilience, and collaboration.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Mindfulness is offered as part of Junior School clubs, and Outdoor Education is a regular feature in Senior School for physical activity and resilience. The program emphasizes wellness through community engagement, service learning, and leadership experiences, aligned with the Not for Ourselves Alone ethos.
Languages

Language Provision
French is taught starting in Little School, with spoken French introduced through games, songs, and activities to build a foundation for fluency. The Accelerative Integrated Method (AIM) guides French language learning, prioritizing speaking before reading and writing to develop fluency. The Junior School describes the aim as achieving a deep level of fluency similar to a French Immersion program. In Senior School, French Language is offered as an Advanced Placement course.

Bilingual Teaching
York House introduced a bilingual and bicultural program in 1963. It gradually evolved and was phased out in the early 2000s as Accelerative Integrated Method (AIM) French as a Second Language was introduced. The shift defined the school's current language approach.
School Events
The school has not added events
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