Proposed educational framework for UBC family of schools released
Schools & Students
Vancouver, B.C. - (December 19, 2008) – The Vancouver school district has released details of the educational framework being proposed for the University of B.C./University Endowment Lands family of schools.
The UBC/UEL area has experienced rapid development during the past decade, and there are plans for even more residential housing. Already, the number of school-aged children in the catchment area exceeds the available spaces by a ratio of 2 to 1. The total Kindergarten to Grade 12 school capacity is 735 students (410 elementary school spaces and 325 secondary school spaces), while the in-catchment K-12 population stands at 1,459 students (797 elementary, 662 secondary).
To accommodate the learning needs of this community, the Vancouver Board of Education and UBC are finalizing the transfer of the National Research Council building (3250 East Mall) to be used as a school.
The situation has created a rare and unique opportunity for the school district to establish an educational program and set of facilities that will combine the best professional practices, physical facilities and educational resources to serve and fulfill the needs of the learning community. The proposal envisions an interconnected set of facilities to accommodate a continuum of learning from early childhood to adulthood.
Key elements of the educational framework are:
• A continuum of learning from early childhood to post secondary
• Emphasis on engagement and experiential learning
• Student to student learning, collaboration and mentorship
• A science and technology focus
• Sustainability and global citizenship
• Multi-level active partnerships with UBC
To implement this educational framework, the school district envisions redeveloping the National Research Council Building to create a Grade 9-12 school.
It is proposed that University Hill Secondary school (2896 Acadia Rd.) will be redeveloped, creating essentially two schools within a school. Kindergarten through Grade 5 will be housed in one wing, while a second wing will house Grades 6-8, with the two schools sharing core facilities to maximize learning opportunities. This site can also be expanded to accommodate future growth in the south campus area.
It is also proposed that University Hill Elementary school (5395 Chancellor Blvd.) be realigned to create a kindergarten through Grade 5 school, which is more appropriately matched to the building’s capacity. University Hill Elementary school was built for 380 students.
The proposal, which stems from Educational Facilities Review of the UBC to Dunbar neighbourhoods, was shared with teachers and leaders of the Parent Advisory Councils of University Hill Elementary and Secondary schools this past week. Parents from the two schools and the UBC/UEL community will have a chance to review and comment on the educational framework at a pair of meetings planned for January.
The proposal requires Ministry of Education endorsement before the district can proceed to detailed design work. Vancouver’s Board of Education plans to submit the final Project Development Report to the ministry no later than Jan. 30, 2009.
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For more information, contact:
David Weir, VSB communications manager – 604-713-5074
