High School Programs

Vancouver District

The city of Vancouver is a coastal seaport on the mainland of British Columbia. Located on the western half of the Burrard Peninsula, Vancouver is bordered to the north by English Bay and Burrard Inlet, and to the south by the Fraser River. Burnaby is situated to the east, and the Strait of Georgia to the west. Vancouver is protected from the Pacific Ocean by Vancouver Island, which spans the Strait of Georgia.

With its panoramic views, mild climate, and friendly people, Vancouver is internationally recognized as a popular tourist attraction and one of the best places to live. Vancouver is also one of the most diverse cities in terms of ethnicity and language in Canada, with 52% of the population speaking a mother tongue other than English.

The International Education Program provides support to international students in the Vancouver School Board (VSB) to adapt to school life in Canada and learn in Vancouver schools. Vancouver secondary schools offer a wide variety of excellent academic, fine arts, advanced placement, language, and computer courses.

The compulsory courses, known as Foundation courses, meet the provincial requirements for graduation in British Columbia:

Elective Courses

They include:
- Orchestra, String Orchestra, Choir, Theatre, Dance, Visual Arts, Fashion Design, and more!
- French, Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin courses
- Information Technology, Accounting, Writing, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) credits
- High-achieving students may study Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Calculus, Computer Science, Literature, History, and Sciences in select schools.
- Designated programs in the Vancouver School District are open first to qualified local students and qualified international students based on space availability.

Clubs and Activities

Each high school offers a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs. These provide an excellent way to make friends, pursue interests, and practice English.

Some examples of clubs and activities include:

• Drama, including theatrical and video productions
• Orchestra, Choir, String Orchestra, and Jazz groups performing concerts and participating in music festivals
• Dance, including jazz, hip hop, and performance
• Robotics and math competitions
• Yearbook, multicultural clubs, and chess
• Community service and volunteering opportunities
• Soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis, athletics, swimming, and more.