Our Admissions Process
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Welcome to Island Pacific School (IPS)
As a community independent school of choice, in beautiful Howe Sound, British Columbia, we attract a diverse mix of students and families who support our expressed mission, values, and philosophy of the school. Island Pacific School strives to engage with our students, parents, faculty and staff, and neighbours – and we like to have fun! Throughout the year we host several informal Open Houses, monthly coffee with the head of school, and casual get-togethers. These are all great opportunities to visit the school and get to know each other better.
Middle school marks a pivotal phase in your child’s development, a time when they navigate newfound independence, academic challenges, and personal growth. It’s a critical juncture where they discover their strengths, passions, and sense of self. Choosing the right environment for this transformative period is paramount, and here’s where a small by design middle school makes all the difference. At Island Pacific School, our intimate class sizes and supportive teachers create an ideal setting for your child’s growth journey. Every student receives personalized attention, fostering a nurturing environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. With a close-knit community of peers and dedicated educators, your child will feel valued, supported, and empowered to explore their full potential.
Admission to school is limited by size: small by design, Island Pacific is a grade 6-9 middle school with one class for each grade, and a maximum of 18 students in each class. Our admission process offers ample opportunity for both parents and the student to explore what IPS has to offer and whether our environment will be a good match. The 4 year IB-MYP Program offers a clear progression of learning and leadership opportunities to prepare middle school students for high school and beyond. We encourage entry into grade 6 so students experience the full 4 year program. Grades 7 and 8 are often full with wait pools. Apply now for grade 6 and don’t be disappointed!
The steps
Our Admissions Process
We look forward to helping you through the admissions process to determine if IPS is a good fit for your family. Here are the steps for families to follow to navigate the admissions to school process.
1. GET TO KNOW US & BOOK A VISIT: Students and parents visit us to tour the school and see if we’re a good fit and if your child is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the IPS middle school program. We look forward to welcoming you. We’re proud of our independent middle school and we’re happy to have the opportunity to show you more.
PARENT TOUR
Tour the school and meet with our Head of School, Brad Carter, and our Assistant Head, Jennifer Henrichsen, to get an insider’s perspective. Tours last approximately 1.5 hours and provide you with a first-hand look of how things work at Island Pacific School.
Please note we are not running school tours between July 1 and September 16, 2024.
STUDENT VISIT
Student visits are for the full day and visitors are buddied up with an IPS student and dive right into a “typical” day at IPS as a guest student. These are great experiences for the visitors. Students are introduced to teachers and shown around the campus, join in classes and meet other students at breaks and during lunch. Visiting applicants will have their admissions interview during their visit day.
Student visits are available on most Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If you wish to visit the school between June and September, please email us directly at admissions@islandpacific.org.
2. APPLY: Parents complete our online admission to school application and upload requested attachments as prompted. This can be submitted prior to the visit if you wish. Applications are also accepted (and recommended) well in advance.
3. ASSESSMENT: Once you have applied, schedule the Admissions Assessment as soon as possible.
The Student Admissions Assessment at IPS simply helps gauge a student’s reading comprehension, writing and numeracy skills at the time they apply. The assessment is conducted by our Learning Strategies Team, takes about an hour, and provides the foundation for the student’s educational profile. The outcome of this assessment does not necessarily impact whether a student is admitted or not.
Students presenting with learning challenges may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Admission is subject to the school being able to meet the student’s educational needs within the context of the total school community. The school levies an additional learning strategies fee in those cases where the school determines that extra support is necessary.
The assessment will take approximately 1 – 1.5 hours and takes place at IPS. Students do not need to prepare in advance.
View our Frequently Asked Questions about the Student Assessment.
Information for International students.
Admissions Timelines
We are still accepting and processing applications for the 2024-25 school year, however, applicants will be admitted on the basis of availability and fit within a given grade. Apply Now.
We are located on Bowen Island, BC. If you’re coming over from Horseshoe Bay and want to leave your car behind, we can arrange to transport you to and from the ferry terminal on Bowen Island.
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