Urban Academy Campus Life
Creating an environment where students thrive is at the forefront of everything we do. Every day is new and exciting – full of multifaceted learning opportunities. Students are guided to engage in creative challenges, as they grow into independent, resilient and empowered young adults.
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learning lives here
a day in the life
Urban Academy exclusively provides experiences that are hands-on, relevant and interesting. Keeping students’ lives engaging helps them stay inspired and reach their full potential. They tackle real-world challenges like creating a small business, manufacturing and marketing products. The friendships, experiences, creative opportunities and academics that begin here last a lifetime, as every graduate becomes a successful, mindful global citizen.
Family Commitments
Involved parents support successful students. We believe in integrated education and parents and families are no exception. Urban Academy families serve 20 volunteer hours per year, contribute to our Parent Equity Program and commit to our Code of Conduct. Keeping families linked to their child's education sets them up for optimal achievement.
Our School Community
From business professionals to talented actors and community leaders, we draw on a multitude of skills and abilities to enrich our school community. Parents collaborate and share expertise with teachers to create unique learning opportunities that connect lessons to life outside the classroom walls. Every member of the Urban Academy community is committed to giving students the best learning experience possible.
Community Service
Urban Academy students understand that being of service can take many different forms. Their education includes gaining new perspectives and building character, teaching compassion for others and demonstrating the impact of positive actions. Tangible activities such as community service hours and Community Service Club allow for students to delve into various opportunities. We encourage all students to get involved, stand up for what they believe in and give back to their communities.
school houses
Representing aspects of New Westminster’s history, the Urban Academy house system is made up of four houses: the Anvils, the Sappers, the Hyacks and the Royals. Each house is co-ed and includes members of the student body from Grades 4-12 and faculty. Students from the same families belong to the same houses to keep house pride alive at school and at home. Each house is led by Senior House Captains with guidance from their two teacher house mentors, earning points throughout the year for effort, bravery, spirit and achievement.
Friendly competition between houses fuels students’ passion and ignites their sense of pride. Students develop a sense of team and an understanding of community, while being afforded invaluable opportunities for friendship, team building and commitment. At the end of each school year, the team with the most points is commemorated on the coveted Urban Plaque.
The following house descriptors and cheers were written by the houses themselves under the leadership of Urban Academy Senior Student House Leaders.
The Hyacks
Everyone in the Hyack house will empower their fellow students to become strong, confident individuals, to do a great job in whatever they are doing. Hyacks are always ready to step up and pitch in where help is needed, building a stronger school and a stronger community.
Hyack chant
Ready aye Ready!
Stand up and cheer
Ready aye Ready!
The Hyacks are here!
Leading as one!
get the job done!
We are here to have some fun
Ready aye Ready!
Let’s have some fun!
Out of the fire
blue will inspire
Our sea of blue will inspire you
Show the fire, show the fight
We come to show
What is right
Ready aye Ready the Hyacks are here!
The Sappers
Those sorted into Sapper House are born leaders. They are hands-on, focused and solution-oriented. Sappers demonstrate ability and leadership by recognizing everyone’s diverse strengths, working together as a community to achieve common goals and empowering others to make good decisions.
Sappers chant
Give me a hammer, give me a wrench
Inspiring each other to empower the rest
We are Sappers, we are proud
Sing our cheer and sing it loud
The Royals
Being a Royal means being a cut above - students in this house lead by example and uphold the ideas of Urban Academy education. Royals empower one another to become leaders by listening, helping each other and working together to make a difference.
Royal chant
We are Royal
Strong, brave, and Loyal
Here to unite
And demonstrate what’s right.
Lead with Grace
And keep each other safe
Empower to create
Inspire to be great!
We are the Royals!
The Anvils
All Anvils work together to achieve a common goal - strength and power in diversity. They are highly motivated and inspire one another to exude courage and confidence in all that they do, promoting creative problem solving and diverse perspectives to any challenge faced.
Anvil chant
We will, We will,
Rock you down,
Shake you up!
Like a volcano,
About to erupt!
We are Anvils,
Here to say!
We are gonna lead the day!
Go Anvils!
We built a brand new school
466 Rousseau Street in New Westminster has never looked so good. Through a partnership with Wesgroup Developments, we’ve created a space as dynamic as we are to support our vision and change what learning looks like.
get outside
Real-world learning from the ground up – literally. Outdoor experiences elevate lessons, challenging students to study the world beyond the classroom.
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60,000 square feet of learning space and 5 storeys of classes yield tremendous learning potential.
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see all newsHead of School’s Weekly Message
Hello UA families, If we’re lucky, on occasion, we get to experience an event or significant moment that you know will stay with you for some time. I have been fortunate enough to experience two this past week! The first was the UA Gala held on Saturday evening. Thank you to everyone who participated and […]
Head of School’s Weekly Message
Hello UA families, Last week staff and students at Urban Academy engaged in a number of activities in recognition of Canadian Mental Health Week. These included various mindfulness activities, daily body breaks, buddy walks where students from different levels of the school went together to the park, and a wonderful talent show on Friday. The biggest hit was […]
Head of School’s Weekly Message
Next week is Mental Health Week! A cross-Canada initiative, Canadian Mental Health Week encourages Canadians to explore mental health literacy and build their personal toolbox of strategies and systems for staying healthy and well. We are excited to launch our inaugural Mental Health Week at UA and are thankful to the teachers and students who have put together a variety of activities to […]
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School Spirit
Urban Academy students and faculty don't just like their school - they love it.
learn more +Student Leadership
Our program is designed to give students ample opportunities to develop confidence and leadership skills.
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Learning here extends well beyond regular class time, allowing students to cultivate their skills.
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We partner an amazing education experience with an amazing before and after school care experience.
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The physical and mental health of Urban Academy students is as important as their studies.
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Our students are smart and they look it too.
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