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Why was the school started?
The idea of Stratford Hall began in 1998, when two Burnaby mothers, Elaine Lee and Cindy Leung, were thinking about where their children would be educated after finishing a Montessori preschool program. They realized that there were excellent options in Metro Vancouver, but all were very far away from Burnaby. They decided to start a new independent school in either Burnaby or east Vancouver.
Why did you choose to concentrate on the International Baccalaureate?
By the late 1990s, the International Baccalaureate Organization had adopted all three programs (Primary, Middle and Diploma). On close inspection, the IB fit the vision of the founders for a top calibre school that prepared students very well for university. In addition, the Primary Years Programme appeared to be a good transition out of a Montessori-style program. The strong academic programs in the IB curriculum, and the education of the whole child through critical thinking and character development were both impressive.
What kinds of students can handle the IB Diploma?
It is our experience that students who are motivated are successful IB Diploma students. It is a myth that the IB Diploma is only for top students; IB is accessible to any student that will ultimately find success at the university level. An unmotivated, bright student will have far more difficulty with the IB Diploma than will a motivated student of average academic ability.
What are the second languages offered at Stratford Hall?
Of course, the school initially thought of introducing French as the primary second language. However, as the Head of School and the language teacher discussed the development of a unique and strong program, the idea of Spanish arose. Spanish was ultimately chosen for children to learn through to grade 7. French, introduced in grade 7, would build from the Spanish base. It is the school’s belief that students will find it easier to absorb French when they are versed in another Romance language.
What will be the eventual size of Stratford Hall? When will it reach that size?
The model for the school is to have two classes per grade, kindergarten to grade 12. The class size is 18 to 20 in the Primary Years Programme, and up to 22 in the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. The total size for the school will be approximately 540 students, and this will be reached by September, 2013.
Does the government fund the school in any way?
Stratford Hall is a Group 2 School, under the Independent Schools Branch of the Ministry of Education. Group 2 schools get 35% of the local public per student grant, which means approximately $2600 is granted per student annually. This is an important part of the school’s operating revenue, and accounts for about 20% of the school’s total budget. The government does not assist the school with capital projects.
How are buildings paid for?
Our buildings are primarily debt financed. We have loans for both 3000 Commercial Drive and 3070 Commercial Drive with BMO. The buildings are owned by the Stratford Hall Foundation, and rent is paid to the Foundation through the school’s operating account. All parents are required to submit a refundable $20,000 Education Investment Deposit (EID). This deposit acts as down payment funding for the school’s facilities. Over time, donations from families will replace the EIDs.
What do you expect from parents?
We expect parents to have thoroughly researched school options and selected Stratford Hall because it best fits the needs of their child. We also expect parents to be committed to the Stratford Hall experience, and to support the school. We expect them to communicate with the teachers and administration of the school when questions arise. Finally, we expect that parents will support school fundraising initiatives, including Capital and Annual Campaigns.
How does the Board of Governors work?
The Board of Governors is ultimately responsible for the operation of the school. However, they empower the Head of School to make operational decisions. The Board exists at arms-length from the school. The major roles of the Board are: to find the appropriate Head of School and ensure that he or she is fulfilling the school’s mission; to oversee the financial operations of the school and approve the annual budget; and to develop and execute strategic plans. The Head of School is the only direct employee of the Board.
The Board meets at appointed times during the year to hear updates and set direction. The majority of the Board is made up of non-Stratford Hall parents, with expertise being sought from the community at large.
What sort of student are you looking for?
A motivated and well-supported student will be most successful at Stratford Hall. We build each class with children who have different learning styles, personalities, and abilities. We are particularly interested in a prospective student’s match to the Learner Profile, and their abilities in numeracy and literacy. We do not use standardized tests to assess incoming students; rather, students spend time with teachers who determine if there is a fit.
What is the teaching staff like?
Stratford Hall has a very strong teaching staff that strives for a high level of collaboration. They get to know the students very well, and exhibit a high degree of caring and support for them. Teachers are selected for their ability to engage in all aspects of the International Baccalaureate. Most have had several levels of IB training, and some are IB trainers. All Stratford Hall teachers are enthusiastic, personable and energetic, and they set high standards for themselves and others.
Why Taiko drumming and Cirque de Soleil-style performance?
The building at 3000 Commercial Drive was built for the Cedar Foundation, and it housed a program for at-risk youth that emphasized Taiko and circus. There are aspects of the building that are designed for these functions. Shortly after purchasing the building from the Cedar Foundation, the school was offered the circus and Taiko equipment and decided that circus and Taiko would form the base of the performing arts program for grades 6 to 10. Both art forms are taught by experts in the field, who worked previously for the Cedar Foundation.
Why have you chosen Commercial Drive?
Over the first five years of the school’s existence, as many as 100 sites in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver were visited and assessed. When the building at 3000 Commercial became available, we recognized immediately that it met the school’s needs on many levels. As a building, it was a great fit for the program. The location was close to the Italian Cultural Centre, so the split campus was not too difficult. There were other opportunities to grow along the same stretch of Commercial Drive, so there was room for expansion, and the location gives the school a unique urban feel.
Do you have busing?
The school began its busing program in September of 2009. It is important to keep the number of cars in the area to a minimum, and the school promotes using methods of mass transportation to promote environmental stewardship. We now have one bus serving Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam and eastern Burnaby, and another serving the west side of Vancouver.
How long is the school day?
The PYP school day is from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, except for kindergarten, which is dismissed an hour earlier. The MYP school day is from 8:20 AM to 3:20 PM. There is afterschool care until 5:30 PM, for students in kindergarten through grade 7.
Do you provide hot lunches?
Yes. There is hot lunch available two to three days per week at each campus.
How does the school do on standardized rankings?
As with other independent schools, Stratford Hall does not support rankings that measure only limited dimensions of school activity. The Fraser Institute has rankings, based on the grade 4 and 7 FSAs, and the grade 12 Provincial Exams. Although we do not focus on the FSAs, Stratford Hall does very well. As our students are required to write only the English 10 and 12 Provincial Exams, our school’s graduation program is not ranked. However, one measure to compare would be Provincial Scholarships. About 10% of students in the province earn the Provincial Scholarship ($1000); this number rises to about 50% in the top independent schools. At Stratford Hall we expect 90% to 100% of students to be awarded these scholarships.
What percentage of your students continue on to university?
Although it is still early for us to make a broad generalization, so far 100% of our students have attended university. Our tracking indicates that they continue to do well once they arrive there and because they graduate from an IB Diploma Program, many are offered courses with second year standing and given first year credits upon acceptance.
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