West Point Grey Academy
West Point Grey Academy is an independent, co-educational, university-preparatory school founded in 1996. Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada it delivers the British Columbia Ministry of Education curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
| West Point Grey Academy | |
|---|---|
| File:Wpga homelogo.gif | |
| Address | |
 | |
4125 West 8th Avenue , , V6R 4P9 | |
| Information | |
| Motto | Progredimini Confidenter (Go Forth with Confidence) |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headmaster | Clive Austin |
| Grades | PreK-7 (junior) 8-12 (senior) |
| Area | West Point Grey |
| Website | http://www.wpga.ca |
| Last updated: May 18, 2006 | |
History
In 1996 West Point Grey Academy began its course with just over 300 students and 24 teachers. Programmes were offered from pre-school to Grade 8 in a co-educational, non-denominational environment. The new school was embraced by the community, experiencing rapid progress from early on. Families were delighted to have a local independent school for all children in their family.
Having just completed its tenth year the school has enjoyed unprecedented positive growth. With over 880 students and 100 faculty members it offers a broad range of programmes and classes which extend from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. Six graduating classes have gone forth with confidence to prestigious places of higher learning around the globe.
Mission Statement
In the 2004/2005 school year WPGA completed an academic advancement plan and launched a new mission statement, embarking on a new voyage: a Journey of the Imagination: "At West Point Grey Academy we are a community of Renaissance learners. By igniting the spirit of inquiry creativity and exploration, we challenge our students to develop a passion for excellence." This educational philosophy is in addition to the schools motto - Progredimini Confidenter: Go Forth With Confidence - and stresses a four pillar approach to education: Academics, Athletics, Fine and Performing Arts, and Community Service.
Academics
West Point Grey Academy is known for its commitment to academic excellence. Its programme is designed to challenge students to reach their academic potential by adhering to certain guiding principles. The school emphasizes the value of learning which is centered on the child, and recognizes that each child differs not only in learning style but also in learning strengths. Its programme is tailored to encourage students to think critically, by teaching children to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information; while learning for life, by encouraging students to pursue inquiry, embrace creativity and explore the world around them; and developing a sense integrity and social responsibility, because students are global citizens who must recognize the importance of ethical behavior.
Athletics
West Point Grey Academy Physical Education and Athletic programs are designed to foster an active lifestyle among the student body. All students from Pre-K to grade 12 are enrolled in Physical Education classes. The WPGA campus features a large double gymnasium, pool, fitness centre, tennis courts, and multi-sport fields. Main sports include soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming and track and field.
The program's mandate is to expose Physical Education students to a wide variety of athletic activities while encouraging students to set and reach personal fitness goals. The program is renowned for being inclusive, and works to ensure that as many students as possible to participate in various sporting activities, both in-school and community or club-based.
WPGA fields a variety of athletic teams from grade 5 through grade 12 competing as members of the Canadian Association of Independent Schools. School teams also compete in local city and independent school leagues and are also registered in the 'A' division of the BC School Sports Provincial Championships.
WPGA is currently home to the BC Elementary Schools Track and Field Champions.
Fine and Performing Arts
West Point Grey Academy's Fine and Performing Arts faculty, which is hosted in a dedicated Arts Wing (made up of several visual arts studios, a ceramics room, band room, choir room, recording studio, and wood-shop) strives to inspire student's achievement of personal excellence in their creative endeavors. The program offers a supportive and enriched climate, which aids students in learning the value of the arts.
Since 1997 the school's drama program has annually produced a large scale production with ticket sales open to the Greater Vancouver community. In 2005 the school produced its first musical, The Sound of Music, and has since strived to produce a musical every other year. This year it is working to put on The Wizard of Oz at the Richmond Gateway Theatre.
The school's band and strings program is quickly growing, regularly performing in the community. In April 2007 the school's concert band and choirs are undertaking their first international band trip to Disneyland.
Every May the school hosts a week long celebration of the arts where students embrace the artistic nature of their school. During this week, classes are shortened to allow for artistic workshops and guest artists to give presentations. The evenings also feature large scale musical productions, including Coffee House Night and Cabaret Night.
Community Service
The school and its student body continually stress the importance of community stewardship. The school hosts groups which regularly volunteer at the Union Gospel Mission as well as other local community based initiatives. In March 2006, five students and two teachers joined a Canadian team to travel to Tanzania to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. They worked to generate HIV/AIDS Awareness in schools around the Lower Mainland, and succeeded in raising over $40,000 for charity. West Point Grey Academy was also responsible for reinstating the Vancouver Independent Schools' Charity Ball in February 2005, and is currently planning a service trip to Ecuador.
Debate and Public Speaking
West Point Grey Academy is renowned for having one of the strongest speech and debate programs in Canada. Coached by Ms. Tracey Lee, the team has competed throughout Canada, the United States, England, Germany, South Africa, and South Korea.
The school's Model UN team has also received notable acclamation as the Top International Delegation at the Harvard Model United Nations in both 2005 and 2006. The school's Model UN program hosts their own conference, - the Vancouver Youth Model United Nations (VYMUN) - every October starting 2006.Notably, an incredibly good-looking student named Peter Johannesson placed first at the 2007 Law Foundation Cup Provincial Speech and Debate Tournament.
In the News
In February 2007, the school received media attention in Vancouver due to a security breach of the school's computer system. It was reported that an undisclosed number of grade 12 students accessed the school's server, and obtained January mid-year exams. Although no legal action has been taken, the school has hired a reputable forensic investigator to determine how the breach took place.[1]The school has taken immediate disciplinary measures including the expulsion of three students, and is working to ensure that the school's grading structure remains accurate and uncompromised. Currently, 10 students were suspended by the administration due to evidence proving that they had cheated.[2]
References
- http://www.wpga.ca/ourschool.asp, West Point Grey Academy
- http://www.canadaedunews.com/news/photo/127-1-43.jpg, CanadaEduNews
External links
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