FAQ

What is an Arts Infused School?

At Urban Academy we value the Arts as equal in importance to the core subjects and provide specifically trained specialists in the areas of Art, Music, Drama and French. We believe that the skills and opportunities these subjects bring go beyond stand alone subjects. Using them to deepen and expand the core subjects by combining themes and areas of learning provides a rich, engaging learning environment.

How many students are in each class?

Urban Academy's Head of School, Education committee and parent community have spent a great deal of time researching and discussing class size studies and have capped our class size according to what we believe is supported by research to be the most beneficial for our students.

Kindergarten to Grade Two classes have a cap of fourteen students per class with one certified teacher and Grade Three and above have a cap of sixteen students per class with one certified teacher.

Do you have combined classes?

Yes. Urban Academy uses multiage classrooms and believes in the benefits of older student mentors. Multiage classes are based on the most educationally sound groupings among students of the same educational and developmental range.

How are applicants assessed?

Upon receiving your application form and fee, a meeting will be scheduled for you and your child with our Head of School. The purpose behind this is to confirm that what Urban Academy provides is a match for your family and to get a sense of your child as an individual.

These meetings are very relaxed and for younger children, activities will be provided. In some rare cases such as of special needs students, further investigation may be required to make sure that Urban Academy has the ability to provide a high quality program for the student and to prepare the appropriate individual learning program.

Additionally, some families choose to have their child attend a day or half day of school at the appropriate grade to experience a typical day at this wonderful school. Arrangements would be made for this through our Head of School and administration.

How is the school financed ?

Tuition fees and the BC Ministry of Education's per capita operating grant to independent schools as well as the Parent Equity program make up the balance of the school's financial support. Urban Academy also has a Parent Support Group that raises funds for special events, field trips and extra curricular activities and materials.

What are your fees per year?

Go to Admissions - Tuition & Fees

Are there any tuition assistance programs available?

Yes. Families may apply yearly for Tuition Assistance and based on the qualifying criteria and number of applicants, may receive 33%, 66% or 100% assistance. Applications will be assessed on a first come first serve basis. Tuition Assistance packages are available from the Administrator and applicants are kept confidential.

What is a Parent Equity Program?

The Board of Directors of Urban Academy (The Urban Academy Society) has instituted a Parent Equity Program that has enabled the School to purchase Robson Manor in Queen's Park as its new permanent site. It is a financial instrument by which the Securities Act provides a means for non-profit societies to raise funds. Detailed documentation about the Parent Equity program is provided as part of your child's registration package upon acceptance to Urban Academy.

What organizations does Urban Academy belong to?

Urban Academy is a member of the Federation of Independent Schools (FISA) and the Network of Performance Based schools.

Who runs the school?

The school is operated by a non-profit society (The Urban Academy Society) established for this purpose. The society's Board of Directors is made up of founders and parents of the school who are responsible for the management of Urban Academy and its overall finances. Members are appointed by the Board with two Parent Representatives elected by the community from its membership. The Board operates at arm's length from the daily affairs of the school, which is managed by Urban Academy's Head of School, Mr. Michael Bouchard.

Are there current plans for Urban Academy to provide high school?

Urban Academy's vision is to have an intimate high quality Kindergarten to Grade Twelve program. 

After a lengthy planning and consultation period through various committees and task forces made up of parents, the Board of Directors of Urban Academy announced in March 2010, a decision to offer a High School program. Grade 10 will be offered in in September 2010 going through to Grade 12 by 2012. 

How are parents involved in Urban Academy?

Urban Academy is committed to being an environment where parents feel welcomed and included. As part of their commitment to the school Urban Academy families are required to provide a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer time per family per year. These hours can be made up from a wide variety of options during and outside of school hours. Examples of these would be setting up chairs for a special event, gardening, making classroom materials or lunch supervision one day a week. This is a based on an honor system, with families filling in a volunteer sheet over the course of the year. Parents are encouraged to spend time in their child's classroom, participate in special events and share their talents with the school environment.

What is the basic foundation of the school?

Urban Academy is a non-denominational, co-educational independent school that provides students with challenging academic, extracurricular and athletic programs. The School provides a safe and nurturing learning environment that embraces diversity and prepares students for continuing study at university. Urban Academy and its staff help students become responsible citizens by fostering high standards of personal integrity and character. Urban Academy offers an enriched academic program that meets or exceeds BC Ministry of Education requirements.)

What is the code of conduct at Urban Academy?

Every fall students work with the staff to create a code of conduct in language that all the students can understand. This code of conduct is provided for parents and students to sign and support daily. A sample is below.

Urban Academy Code of Conduct

1. Respect yourself, others, and the environment.
2. Be kind and honest (treat others the way you would like to be treated).
3. Listen with your ears, eyes, body, and heart.
4. At school gatherings, one person speaks at a time.
5. Be safe.
6. Be neat and tidy.
7. Do your best!

Is there a school bus?

At this point Urban Academy does not have a bus program, but our location is very close to Skytrain and city transit bus routes.

Do the students wear uniforms?

Yes. Parents can expect to spend about $300 depending on the amount of extras purchased for scattered laundry days etc. Uniforms are at available from:

Cambridge & Co. School Uniforms
112-2455 Dollarton Highway in North Vancouver
Telephone (604) 924-9292.
http://www.cambridgeuniforms.com/

What about Phys Ed and outdoor education?

The recent move to our new home in Queen's Park has opened up many options for Urban Academy students which will continue to expand as we become more familiar with the area around us. We currently lease the regulation size gymnasium at Queen's Avenue United Church and hold our Physical education classes there as well as make use of the multipurpose room at the school. We have access to Queen's park fields for specific events like our annual Terry Fox Run. Queen's park is also home to two playgrounds, walking trails, a petting zoo, spray park and the Arenex where gymnastics classes are available. Our school site also provides ample outdoor space for lunchtime games and features a playground.

Is there homework at Urban Academy?

Yes it is important to note that homework levels for students vary on a per grade level and sometimes individually. All staff are open to discussion as to a family's preferences and experiences around homework. The top priority for families dealing with homework is the preservation of a positive relationship between parent and child and the knowledge that homework that is supplied is beneficial use of their child's out of school hours.