5820 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1X8, Canada
1900-56th Street, Delta, British Columbia, V4L 2B1, Canada
1849
2000
515
663
JK to 12
K to 12
Coed, Girls, Boys
Coed
Day
Day
English, French, Spanish
English
Academic
Academic
Traditional
Progressive, International Baccalaureate
15 to 20
18 to 24
Dedicated class; in-class adaptations
$13,820 to $19,360
$21,600 to $42,825
Yes
No
13%
0%
1 to 12
None
$7,120
$0
34
51
0%
0%
78%
30%
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Dec 01, 2023
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades JK - 12
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
No
information not available
information not available
The school describes its campus as iconic, and to be sure, it really is. The school was founded in 1849, and the campus shows its age in all the best ways. The location is iconic as well, in the heart of Halifax and across from the historic public gardens. As those things signal, Sacred Heart is a part of the historical culture of the city, and arriving here each day delivers its own frisson of excitement. As with any school of this vintage, much has changed, and today the program is iconic in other ways. The provision of single gender education through Grades 7 to 12 is one of them, offering the best of both worlds. As a member of a global network of schools, the gaze is international, with emphasis on social justice and social action. While there are many longstanding traditions and events, the school also distinguishes itself as cutting edge, both in the curriculum it offers—the broad Advanced Placement offering, for one—but also through its delivery, with lots of hands-on, project oriented, collaborative learning. That said, the biggest draw for many is simply the spirit of the school. There is a keen desire to get students involved in a wide range of activity, including a robust program of service learning, while also engaged within the daily life of the school. Sacred Heart has a proven ability to deliver all of it.
View full reportSouthpointe Academy is a relatively young school, having been founded in 2000, and just as there are benefits with age, there are also benefits with youth. Unlike older schools that need to evolve their programs and infrastructure to meet the changing needs of students, Southpointe was formed around those needs, i.e., the skills, values, and behaviours students will need to succeed in university and professional life. Starting with a primary and elementary program, the school quickly grew to include the high school years. A sparkling new facility, opened in 2012, was purpose built to house the programs, with spaces conducive to project-oriented learning and creative collaboration. The curricular offerings, including the International Baccalaureate and a nice compliment of AP courses, are rightly a draw for the families that enrol here. So too is the attention to growing an awareness of global citizenship, as perhaps best exemplified in partnerships with schools in China, France, Spain, and the US. The ideal student is one who will thrive in a challenging, student-driven, and intellectually diverse learning environment
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"My daughter's teachers demonstrated an understanding of my daughter's unique learning style, her interests and her potential."
Anna Stuart - Parent (Mar 08, 2021)
Our daughter joined Sacred Heart School as a shy student whose early years experience robbed her con...
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"They all have a sense of pride in the school, and they talk about their experiences with joy and feel secure as soon as they walk through the doors each morning. "
Jennifer Derwey Deane - Parent (Mar 08, 2021)
My partner and I are parents of 3 girls. When our youngest daughter was ready to begin Primary we we...
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"SHSH creates the conditions that challenge him to do his best academically, where the primary goal is learning and preparation for university..."
Gord Cooper - Parent (May 03, 2021)
We have four children at Sacred Heart School of Halifax (SHSH). If I think about our eldest son, who...
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"Founded in 1849, Sacred Heart School of Halifax teaches the whole child — mind, body, spirit. Our iconic campus in the heart of Halifax offers co-ed education for JP-Grade 6 and single-gender education for Grades 7-12. Sacred Heart has earned a stellar reputation for the quality of our academics and university preparedness, and through leadership and community action, our students are well prepared to conquer the world. As part of a global network, we educate to a strong moral code prescribed by our Five Goals."
"Southpointe Academy is the only (IB) Continuum World School south of the Fraser River, offering the full spectrum of IB programs from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Our mission is to ignite curiosity and inspire students to explore the world through hands-on experiences that foster global thinking and student agency. Our core values of kindness, integrity, perseverance, respect and responsibility provide the foundation to create a place of belonging where the spirit of community is alive."
"Sacred Heart School of Halifax is different and we’re proud of it. We believe in Faith, Hope, and Love as guiding principles and as a result, we’re more like a family than a school. In addition to our tailored education, we are the only school in the region that offers single-gender education on a co-ed campus and the Advanced Placement (AP) Program in high school. And, our unique heritage and traditions give us a special character that can’t be duplicated anywhere in this region."
"Southpointe distinguishes itself through a tailored approach. Our multifaceted programs nurture confidence, communication, leadership, mentoring, service, and vocational skills. We're dedicated to unlocking each student's unique potential and shaping well-rounded individuals who will positively impact the world."
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"Strong academics combined with a tailored approach in a nurturing and supportive environment is Sacred Heart’s calling card. Our academic excellence is thanks to an outstanding faculty who are passionately committed to their students’ success. And as a Catholic school that welcomes all faiths, families also appreciate our spiritual grounding and emphasis on love."
"Southpointe Academy stands out in the eyes of families for its commitment to IB Continuum Education, its convenient location in Tsawwassen, the world-class facilities, and the welcoming atmosphere that defines our school community. These factors collectively make us the preferred choice among families looking for an exceptional educational experience for their children."
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"Sacred Heart is the only high school in Atlantic Canada that offers the AP Program instead of the IB Program. Families, and especially students, prefer AP because it allows students to pick and choose ONLY those subjects they excel in and want to concentrate on, they don’t have to take a year-long program of all advanced courses. Widely accepted around the globe, students in AP can earn first-year university credit(s) before they even enter university — an excellent head start."
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"It may surprise some families to discover how seriously we live our Five Goals. Yes, we provide an academically excellent education, but also a deeply meaningful one based on our founder St. Madeleine Sophie Barat’s vision that education transforms society. We are dedicated to faith, intellectual values, social justice, building community, and personal growth and these can be seen throughout school life day in and day out."
"We host various engaging community events that bring everyone together, celebrating our diversity and shared experiences.
Families will find a unique feeling of connection between all three school divisions – PYP, MYP, and DP. This seamless transition supports student growth and development.
Beyond academics, our extensive extra-curricular programs, including sports, clubs, and co-curricular activities, provide students with opportunities for personal growth and exploration."
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Welcome to the Southpointe community. On behalf of everyone at our school, I would like to thank you for considering our community during your search for an independent school.
Southpointe Academy cultivates engaged, well-rounded citizens poised to thrive in their pursuit of post-secondary education and primed to achieve their full potential. Our comprehensive program blends a rigorous academic curriculum with extensive extra-curricular opportunities in the arts, athletics, and community service. Our educational travel programs promote global awareness, inspiring our students to make a difference in the world. We challenge our students to pursue their passions, to dream, and to plan for their future. Our students depart armed with the preparation necessary to succeed at university and beyond.
Southpointe is much more than a school; it is a dynamic community of sharp, young minds, impassioned educators and dedicated parents. As instructors, mentors, coaches and role models, our faculty is committed to high quality learning for all students. As active participants in their educational journey, students are given the opportunity to explore their interests and develop their talents. We remain committed to nurturing strength of character in keeping with our core values – respect, responsibility, integrity and perseverance – to help our young people learn, lead and succeed.
The following pages will impart some sense of what a Southpointe education entails, but they cannot replace a visit. If you are interested in gleaning a greater understanding of our educational vision, please take the next step and contact our Director of Admissions to arrange a tour of our school.
Progressive
International Baccalaureate
Traditional curricula tend to be very content-based and rooted in the core disciplines. It is a structured approach that involves the teacher delivering a unified curriculum through direct instruction. Students usually learn by observing and listening to their teacher, studying facts and concepts in textbooks, and completing both tests and written assignments - which challenge students to not only demonstrate their mastery of content but their ability to analyze and deconstruct it critically. Class discussions are also used to create critical dialogue around the content of the curriculum.
Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.
Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.
Students develop a strong foundation of academic excellence, through good study habits, solid organizational skills, critical thinking, and self-confidence. We also use an Advanced Placement (AP) program in Senior School.
We offer the Primary Years Programme from Kindergarten to Grade 5, Middle Years Programme from Grade 6 to Grade 10 and Diploma Programme from Grade 11 to 12, making us one of the few schools in Canada and the only school in Delta to be authorized to deliver the IB Continuum Programme from K-12.
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Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.
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Balanced reading programs are typically Whole Language programs with supplementary phonics training. This training might be incidental, or it might take the form of mini-lessons.
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Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
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Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.
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Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
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These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
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Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
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The Expanding Communities approach organizes the curriculum around students’ present, everyday experience. In the younger grades, students might learn about themselves, for example. As they move through the grades, the focus gradually broadens in scope: to the family, neighbourhood, city, province, country, and globe. The curriculum tends to have less focus on history than Core Knowledge programs.
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These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
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These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
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Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
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These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
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Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
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Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
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Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
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Academic
Play-based programs are the most common type of preschool and Kindergarten, and are founded on the belief young children learn best through play. Largely open-ended and minimally structured, play-based programs aim to develop social skills and a love of attending school. “Pre-academic” skills are taught, but in a more indirect way than at, say, an Academic program: through children playing in different “stations” set up around the classroom, which children choose on their own volition. Stations often contain an indirect lesson or developmental goal. Play-based classrooms are highly social and active.
Academic-based preschools and Kindergartens are the most structured of the different types, and have a strong emphasis on math and reading readiness skills. These programs aim to expose children to what early-elementary school is like. While time is still allotted to free play, much of the day is built around explicit lessons guided by the teacher. Classrooms often resemble play-based ones (with different stations set up around the room), but at an Academic program the teacher leads students through the stations directly, and ties these activities to a whole-class lesson or theme.
In our JP program, play is encouraged, yet purposeful, and structured learning is enriching, exciting, and fun. We nurture the best in your child while laying the foundation for spiritual, emotional, and social growth.
At Southpointe Academy, our Kindergarten students enjoy a wonderful year of learning and laughter within a dynamic, nurturing K-12 school community. As Southpointe is an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme school, all Kindergarten students engage in a rigorous, concept driven, inquiry based curriculum that aims to equip learners with the skills, attitudes, and attributes needed to succeed and lead in an increasingly interconnected, rapidly-evolving global community. A highlight of the year is the Kindergarten/Grade 12 Buddy programme, which provides opportunities for the youngest and oldest Southpointe students to interact and form special bonds.
Standard-enriched
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
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Rigorous
A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.
A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.
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"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
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Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
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CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
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Badminton |
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Baseball |
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Basketball |
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Canoeing/Kayaking |
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Cricket |
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Cross-country skiing |
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Cycling |
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Downhill skiing |
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Equestrian |
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Fencing |
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Field Hockey |
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Figure Skating |
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Football |
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Golf |
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Gymnastics |
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Ice Hockey |
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Ice Skating |
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Lacrosse |
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Martial Arts |
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Mountain biking |
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Racquet Ball |
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Rowing |
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Rugby |
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Running |
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Sailing |
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Skateboarding |
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Snowboarding |
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Soccer |
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Softball |
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Squash |
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Swimming |
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Tennis |
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Track & Field |
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Volleyball |
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Weightlifting |
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Wrestling |
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Archery |
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Curling |
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Ultimate |
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
1 - 12
13%
0%
$7,120
$0
78%
30%
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Dec 01, 2023
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades JK - 12
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
No
No
Yes: grades 6 - 12
Yes: grades 7 - 12
Yes: grades K - 10
No
No
No
No
Sacred Heart students are kind to their peers and teachers, intellectually curious, and socially conscious young women and men who show their school spirit in ways that are relational and constructive. Sacred Heart seeks students who want to be engaged in learning and who seek to develop their unique extracurricular gifts and talents. Becoming who one is meant to be is the key to success at Sacred Heart, and this requires self-awareness, interior listening, kind and constructive feedback, and a global outlook.
We enrol students who are developmentally ready for the grade they are entering, as it is important that each student demonstrates age-appropriate skillsets for their learning environment. Students who are curious about the world around them and parallel the mission of the IB to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world.
Prospective families can complete the online application which is easy, free, and takes very little time. Once the Admissions Department receive the application, they will be in touch to arrange an in-person or online tour, and an appointment for the child’s admissions assessment.
We are thrilled that you are considering Southpointe Academy for your child’s education. Offering a world-leading education, we equip our students with the skills and competencies to succeed in university, career and citizenship.
Our Admissions Team is happy to help you throughout the admissions process. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or 604-948-8826.
STEP 1 – Complete our Online Application form
When submitting an online application, please be prepared to provide the following documents electronically.
STEP 2 – Plan a Visit
STEP 3 – Schedule an Entrance Assessment
After completing an application to Southpointe, applicants for all grade levels will be invited to attend our Prospective Student Assessments in January. Students applying to Kindergarten to Grade 10 will take part in teacher-prepared activities and assessments.
Applicants in Grades 6-10 who are unable to attend an in-person assessment, must submit the appropriate Middle or Upper Level SSAT assessment to Southpointe's Admissions Department by the end of January for consideration.
STEP 4 – Student & Family Interview
STEP 5 – Admission Decisions