Senior School (Grades 8–12)
The Senior School at Urban Academy is a launchpad. Building on the foundation of our Junior and Middle School years, this is where students transition from being learners to being articulate, socially aware, and entrepreneurial thinkers.
We believe the real test isn’t just post-secondary; it’s life. Through the UA Pathway to Future-Readiness, every student is known and stretched in an environment that is responsive to the speed of change. Here, academic rigour meets real-world application. By fostering a community where students truly belong, we give them the confidence to be smarter, stronger, kinder, and braver as they navigate their journey toward graduation and beyond. We don’t just check boxes. We build humans.
Essential Reading
To learn more about our curriculum, specialist instruction, and the daily rhythm of life at Urban Academy, we invite you to explore the details of our program:
Grades 8 & 9
These transition years are designed to move students from guided learning to independent thinking. While mastering a rigorous core curriculum, students begin to define their own path through the UA ARC Program. The student experience expands beyond the classroom with more clubs, athletics, MUN and Grade 9 students begin their Duke of Ed journey. By the time they reach Grade 10, they aren’t just students; they are confident, well-rounded individuals ready to lead.
Grades 10–12
The graduation years are defined by specialization, independence and university-readiness. Students move from foundational discovery into a comprehensive range of elective pathways, tailoring their education to their future goals, supported by specialized post-secondary advising that ensures a 100% acceptance rate to top-choice institutions.
The Urban Academy Difference
Every Student is Known
Advisory Program: Dedicated teacher advisors serve as the primary contact for students and families, ensuring no student is just a name on a roster and that every individual is championed.
Teacher Support: By staying connected to each student’s progress throughout the Senior years, we ensure that as the academic rigour increases, the support system scales with it. Direct 1:1 discussions and opportunities with a Post Secondary Advisor allow students to be known and prepared for whatever comes next.
Wellbeing and Resilience: We prioritize social-emotional learning and healthy relationships, giving students the tools to navigate the senior years with confidence and a true sense of belonging.
Every Student is Stretched
A Culture of Excellence: Our comprehensive academic program ensures that 100% of graduates gain entry to their top-choice post-secondary institutions locally and abroad.
Pursuing Passions: Our students are encouraged to be multi-faceted, bridging the gap between rigorous academics and a vibrant life in sports and the arts. Whether they are competing in a provincial match or headlining a musical, our students are supported in every area of their growth.
Advanced Pathways: Every student benefits from a high-standard, enriched learning environment. Students looking to further stretch their boundaries can opt into our Advanced Placement (AP) pathways, gaining a competitive edge and university credits before graduation.
Every Student is Future-Ready
Bringing Learning to Life: We believe the best way to learn is by doing. By tackling technical and scientific projects, field-study opportunities, or hearing directly from professionals themselves, our students develop the practical grit and critical thinking skills needed to solve complex, real-world problems.
Service & Leadership: Our students take an active hand in building the school community. Whether they are mentoring younger athletes as coaches, welcoming new families as ambassadors, or running the tech behind a school performance, they are learning to lead with a voice that is both confident and kind.
Professional Launchpad: University-readiness is built through intentional independence. From completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award to navigating specialized post-secondary advising, our graduates enter the world with the confidence to lead in their chosen fields.
UA's Signature Program
The UA ARC Program
The cornerstone of our Grade 8 and 9 experience is The UA ARC Program (Applied Real-World Connections). One afternoon each week, students step away from the standard timetable to engage in immersive, project-based cohorts. Led by UA’s specialist teachers, this program allows students to apply academic theory to complex, real-world challenges and gain a deep understanding of the careers available to them.
- Impact ARC: A focus on social justice, community engagement, and systemic changemaking.
- Kinetic ARC: An exploration of the human body through the lenses of medicine, anatomy, and kinesiology.
- Studio ARC: A deep dive into the visual and performing arts, from the gallery to the stage.
- Summit ARC: Building character and resilience through outdoor leadership and environmental stewardship.
- TechEng ARC: An immersive experience in robotics, engineering, coding, and automated design.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
We offer a robust selection of AP courses that allow students to engage in university-level study while still in high school. This pathway provides a competitive edge for post-secondary applications and grants credits at universities worldwide.
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
UA is a proud participant in this world-renowned program. Students earn the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award by demonstrating consistent commitment to community service, physical activity, skill development, and adventurous journeys.
The Senior School Experience
Creative Learning
Creativity at UA is a continuous journey from foundational discovery to performance.
Music & Theatre:Students build on their musical foundations by joining ensembles such as the Symphonic Orchestra, Jazz Band or Show Choir. Beyond the stage, they can explore the modern side of the craft in Music Industry & Creative Entrepreneurship or find their voice in the Theatre Company, on stage or the technical aspects behind the scenes, where they develop the confidence to perform and collaborate.
Visual & Digital Arts: Starting with Visual Arts and Film 8/9, students move into more personal and complex creative work as they grow. In the graduation years, they take the lead as creators through Media Arts, where they produce the school yearbook and experiment with digital art and photography.
Innovative Learning
We cultivate a mindset that moves from “how things work” to “how to build the future.”
The Design Pathway: Early exposure to the MakerSpace and ADST 8/9 builds the technical literacy required for the graduation years. As students progress into Engineering 11 and 12, they move beyond theory to solve complex structural and mechanical challenges, using 3D modelling, coding, and fabrication to bring their original designs to life.
Competitive Science & Tech: Students across all grades are challenged through opportunities such as the Kwantlen Science Challenge, national math competitions, and Robotics builds that emphasize automated design and mechanical systems.
Experiential Learning
Through a tiered series of wilderness and global experiences, students build resilience.
Outdoor Education: Foundational skills are built through the Strathcona Lodge canoe expedition and day hikes, evolving into multi-day wilderness camps.
Global Citizenship & Travel: We believe that seeing the world changes how you see yourself. Our travel cycles are designed to broaden a student’s perspective, beginning with immersive regional trips to Québec and the Yukon before branching out to international rotations across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Real-World Integration
We bridge the gap between academic theory and professional application at every grade level.
Pathways to Success:We ensure students are prepared for the world beyond our doors. Through the UA ARC Program and the Model United Nations (MUN) club, students find their articulate voice and learn to navigate complex global issues early. This foundation is backed by personalized post-secondary advising, ensuring every graduate has a clear, strategic plan for their top-choice university and beyond.
Professional Exposure: Students move from community-based projects to high-level professional interactions, including University Tours and learning directly from guest speakers in fields like Anatomy & Physiology and Entrepreneurship.