F.A.Q.

What is your Communicable Disease Prevention Plan?

Updated September 2022

Our small size and our pro-active family community have worked in our favour to keep us safe and healthy at school for the last two years. We operate in smaller groups as much as possible, and we are supportive if any staff members or students wish to use PPE in close settings. We continue daily cleaning, we have upgraded ventilation and HEPA filters in all rooms, and a strict policy of staying home when we’re sick. Our biggest priority is keeping our staff and families safe, and keeping our students learning in person by avoiding a functional closure. We look forward to a return to normal one day, but in the meantime we will implement all possible safety measures, and maintain the energy and innovation that makes Claren Academy a vibrant, welcoming place to learn, play, and grow.

What grades are you offering for September 2023?

We are welcoming applications for kindergarten to grade eight, meaning children born between 2010 and 2018.  We are excited about the potential of our Middle Years program as our school grows with our oldest students.

What are the important dates?

We have two Open Houses for all prospective families in October as well as an Open House for families entering our upper grades in February. We will also be offering campus tours during selected Thursday afternoons in the fall. Please sign up via our portal to reserve your spot!

Sep 6, 2022 Online inquiries and scheduling go live

Nov 1, 2022 Kindergarten Application Deadline

Nov 7, 2022 Bursary Application Deadline

Dec 1, 2022 Kindergarten Admission Decisions Announced

Dec 1, 2022 Bursary Decisions Announced

Kindergarten Group Assessments will take place by invitation during the week of November 8.

Family Interviews will take place by invitation during the week of November 21.

Applications for our upper grades are processed on a rolling basis. While we will have some spots available currently in our upper grades, we won’t have a complete picture of how many spaces we are able to offer until February. Applicants are welcome to visit the school and submit applications prior to that time. For more information, contact [email protected]

What are your tuition fees?

The fee for our 2022/2023 school year is $19,855. This fee covers tuition, field trips, tech supplies, art supplies, and music supplies. Uniforms are not included in this fee.

There is a one-time new student fee of $3,000.

International students, and students not eligible for the provincial grant pay a tuition of $26,080.

Claren offers a 5% discount for siblings of existing students.

Thanks to the generosity of our community and hard work of our Claren Academy Foundation, we also have limited bursary support available. Claren uses Apple Financial, a third-party organization to assess financial need. Decisions about bursary allocations are made independently of Admission decisions and are based on a combination of factors including financial need and available funds (with priority given to returning families). To apply for bursary assistance, please complete the Apple Financial Services application here by Nov 7, 2022.

What do your families say about the school?

We work hard to ensure that all of our families are excited about the education that their children receive at our school. Testimonials like the one below show that we are succeeding, and we are proud to share even more parent feedback with you on our testimonials page.

“Since starting at Claren we have seen a shift in our daughter, who is energized and excited to go to school each day. She comes home bursting with things to tell us and we have been blown away by the breadth of exposure and opportunity she has received. The arts, music and math programming as well as the continual activity out of school and in the community have been a particular highlight. The integration of technology into education at Claren has been seamless and mirrors real-life application. We could not be more thrilled with our decision to enroll at Claren Academy.” – Claren Parent

What is your approach to teaching?

At Claren Academy we employ research-based, proven teaching strategies such as inquiry and project-based learning that are shown to improve confidence, creativity, and autonomy. Our staff of dedicated, passionate teachers focus on individualized learning to help each student achieve their best work, and be excited about the results. For the core foundational subjects of literacy and math we used a levelled program that fits students into their just-right group, regardless of grade. That allows students to have more support as needed, and to advance with mastery. To learn more, please contact us, or visit our About page.

Where is the school located?

Claren Academy has a beautiful campus in downtown Vancouver’s Yaletown district. We are three blocks from the Yaletown-Roundhouse Skytrain station, a short walk to great parks and recreation centres, and right in the midst of many of Vancouver’s technology companies.

How much time do your students spend on screens?

To say that we are a “technology” school is a misnomer. Our students do use the latest tools, including iPads, 3D printers, and electronic art and music materials, but they also use paper and pencils, clay and glue, and all kinds of other resources to build, create, and explore. The goal in our use of technology is to create rather than simply consume, and discover new ways to solve problems, foster curiosity, and most importantly, connect with others. When our students use our iPad and Chromebooks they use them mindfully. Examples include completing worksheets electronically to save paper, playing cooperative quiz games, photo documenting their own work, or coding in Scratch and Scratch Jr. We focus on quality of screen time, rather than quantity.

What is your school calendar?

Claren Academy follows the calendar used by most independent schools in Vancouver, allowing for a 3 week winter holiday and a 2 week spring break. Our school day runs from 8:45am to 3:20pm, and families have the option to drop their children off as early as 8:30am.

Do you have uniforms?

Yes. Our uniforms are provided by Top Marks Uniforms. The cost will be around $350, with some variation depending on the quantities and options you select.

Do you have after school care?

We have a partnership with the Roundhouse Community Centre which provides after school care for Claren Academy students. We also offer a range of extracurricular activities after school, which vary through the year based on age, interest, and focus. Before school care may be available at the Roundhouse, depending on demand.

How do you provide physical education?

We are well aware that children need to move! Our classrooms are spacious, and we engage in daily physical education through group play, yoga, dance, and other activities. We take advantage of our enviable location in Yaletown by enjoying walks to parks, rec centres, and other cultural landmarks. Our campus at 1085 Homer was formerly a gym, so we are fortunate enough to have a whole exercise room with a proper gym floor and space to really move and sweat. Our students also partake in additional external activities such as swimming, skating, and gymnastics.

Do you teach the arts?

Although we may seem to be focused heavily on science and technology, we feel strongly that creative fields will provide great careers for many children of this generation. Some of our students may want to play the piano, while others might want to take it apart to see how it works, and both of these inclinations are celebrated. We teach fine arts such as music, visual arts, drama, and dance.

Do you teach a second language?

Our second language offering is Mandarin. Mandarin instruction begins in grade five.

Do you accept international students?

If you are a family who normally lives outside of Canada, and you feel that Claren Academy would be a good fit for your child, please reach out to us. We recognize that students from diverse backgrounds can benefit the whole community. Please note: due to our size and focus, we do not have an English language learner program, or a homestay program. An application fee of $260 applies to international student applicants.

What are you looking for in your admissions?

Admission to grades K-8 at Claren Academy is based on:

1. The candidate’s social, emotional, and developmental readiness
2. The family’s interview, with a focus on their interest in the school philosophy
3. The candidate’s actions during the play-based observation
4. The school’s assessment of references and past academic records

The following may also be considered:

1. Availability of space in the year to which the candidate is applying
2. Diversity and gender balance
3. Siblings of students already enrolled

We do not use standardized tests for admission.

Admission for grades 1 – 8 are carried out on a rolling basis. Kindergarten applications for September 2023 are due November 1st.

Further questions?

If you have questions that were not addressed in this FAQ, please do not hesitate to contact us.