Archie MontroseThe Top 5 High Schools in Vancouver
Looking for a good high school for your child? You’re in the right place.
We’ve already found the best high schools in Edmonton and Ottawa, so in this article we will review the top Vancouver high schools and discuss their pros and cons. Continue reading to find out which place is best suited to your needs.
How Much It Costs to Enter High Schools in Vancouver
The costs of entering high schools in Vancouver differ depending on numerous factors, including their facilities and acceptance rates. Luckily, there are cheaper schooling options such as public schools, which are completely free for permanent residents.
You can use the table below to give you an idea of the costs of education in the best secondary schools in Vancouver.
Top High Schools in Vancouver
There are more than a dozen high schools in Vancouver, so picking the best one can be difficult. We sifted through all of the secondary schools and found the best ones using the following criteria:
1. Lord Byng Secondary School
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Affordability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Opportunities for skill development | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Academic results | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
As a public school, Lord Byng is accepting students for free as long as they are permanent citizens of Vancouver. That may be its biggest strength as the school can welcome students from all income ranges.
The only fees you have to pay to get in are for the student agenda book and student activities, which cost only $30.
The affordable cost, however, does not affect the number of opportunities that the school opens for its students. Another strength of Lord Byng is that it has numerous extracurriculars that can help students improve upon their skills and explore their interests.
Lord Byng hosts over 40 clubs, from athletics, animation, and photography to more niche interests such as chess, cars, and robotics.
Lord Byng also opens doors for aspiring artists by having a coveted arts mini program. In this program, students can amplify their skills in fine arts, literary arts, music, and applied fine arts.
These strengths combined provide a great environment for students to succeed and develop which is evident in the school’s graduation rate of over 96%.
We interviewed a handful of students that attend Lord Byng, and they praise the school for its passionate teachers, well-maintained facilities, and a very inclusive environment.
All of these qualities combined with its affordability and number of opportunities earn Lord Byng Secondary School a spot in our list.
Pros
- Has an arts mini program
- Over 96% student graduation rate
- Multiple extracurricular activities
Cons
- May go over capacity
- Very limited slots for arts mini program
Student Reviews
Inclusive and supportive environment
I had a really nice time here. You can tell the teachers are passionate about what they do, I can’t say enough good things about my experiences with the staff. Well maintained for a high school. Inclusive and supportive environment. Just a nice place with nice people, feel lucky to have gone here – Ashley, Google Reviews
Excellent and caring teachers
My son loves his time at Lord Byng. He’s in the Arts Mini. Some of the teachers, notably Ms.Sheppet in the math department, are EXCELLENT. Some teachers are a little disappointing, though I suppose that is the case at many schools. Certainly none of the teachers my son has had have been any less than competent and many have been superb. We feel that the vast majority of the instructors and admin staff care deeply about the students. The trips and extra curricular activities are great, as are the many school clubs. The Arts mini schools are carefully run, and the kids are enthusiastic and well supported. – Karen, Google Reviews
2. Point Grey Secondary School
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Affordability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Opportunities for skill development | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Academic results | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Point Grey Secondary School is a historically significant high school in Vancouver with beautiful architecture.
Point Grey Secondary is popular for its Collegiate Gothic architecture style that causes TV show and movie productions to flock to the school to shoot their films. Fortunately, the school’s facade is as good as its education.
According to the Fraser Institute, Point Grey Secondary has had a graduation rate of no less than 97% since 2015. Point Grey students also score higher than average when it comes to the mandatory provincial exams.
The school also opens a myriad of doors for students to develop their skills. Point Grey has over 40 different clubs for students to choose from, including the debate club, philosophy club, and their athletics teams.
Aside from their students’ academic achievements, Point Grey Secondary is well-known in the area for being welcoming and inclusive. The school’s population consists of 45% native English speakers, with the remaining population composed mainly of Mandarin and Cantonese speakers.
With such a diverse population, you can expect that the school is doing something right when it comes to giving its students a safe, inclusive space for learning and growth.
In addition, Point Grey Secondary School also makes sure to teach indigenous history, culture, and current events to keep their students updated and open-minded regarding real-world issues.
Quality education, inclusivity, and number of opportunities combined with affordability earns Point Grey Secondary School a spot in our list.
Pros
- Very inclusive and welcoming
- Offers programs for students with specific needs
Cons
- Limited information can be found online
Student Reviews
Great teachers
My current school. Great teachers, very clean and students in the area provide a lot to local shops here. Near restaurants such as McDonalds. An ice rink, and community center. Multiple bus stations near by. – Krithik, Google Reviews
3. West Point Grey Academy
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Affordability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Opportunities for skill development | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Academic results | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Next on our list is West Point Grey Academy, a private coeducational school in Vancouver that was established in 1996. Despite being one of the youngest educational secondary schools, West Point Grey Academy has already made a name for itself as one of the leaders in education.
First, WPGA’s students have reached high academic success rates including a consistent 100% graduation rate from the school. In addition, WPGA students also score way above average when it comes to the mandatory provincial exams for grades 10 to 12.
To add to these achievements, WPGA also has over 50 established and well-managed clubs for students to join in and develop their skills. The school has courses and clubs for most interests, including film and television, robotics, and engineering.
To see how great WPGA’s clubs and teams are, all you have to do is look at the news. The school’s debate club and basketball team, for example, make headlines because of their victories.
If you take all of these into account, you will see that WPGA develops their students both in general education and their interests.
However, this high quality education comes at the expense of a high tuition fee. Getting into West Point Grey Academy costs upwards of $20,000, boasting one of the highest tuition fees in the province.
Although the school charges such a high price, we believe that the quality of their service makes it worth it. As such, West Point Grey Academy earns a spot in our list.
Pros
- 100% graduation rate
- Multiple high-achieving clubs and athletic teams
Cons
- Extremely expensive fees
Student Reviews
Exceptional staff and experience
Exception staff and learning experience. I have had the pleasure of dealing with staff and students at WPGA. The school is a model of educating minds as well a model of inspiring spirit. Education is more than addition and regurgitation it is an experience of how to think and work with team members and the community. If all schools could create this experience our next generation would be so much better off. – Bradley, Google Reviews
Combines achievement and compassion
Definitely the best secondary school experience I’ve seen. A strong ethos of achievement and compassion infuses the whole organization. Students are energetic, faculty are passionate and parents are supportive. It’s a privilege to be part of. – Aaron, Google Reviews
4. Little Flower Academy
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Opportunities for skill development | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Academic results | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
The next on our list is Little Flower Academy, a Catholic, girls-only high school in Vancouver.
Little Flower Academy currently has 480 students who had to go through a strict admissions process. Applicants have to pass an entrance exam from which the school picks only a handful.
This limiting process has its pros and cons. Its biggest disadvantage for students is that only a select few will get into the school.
However, that also means that those chosen will get more attention and support, since there is a smaller teacher to student ratio. The small population is also good for students that wish to avoid large crowds, either due to the pandemic or personal preference.
Little Flower Academy is well-known for the education they provide. The school’s website says that they produce great students by combining academics, Catholic values, and fun for a more holistic approach to education.
The result of their teaching is astounding. Little Flower Academy has maintained a 100% graduation rate over the years, with over 95% of their students receiving provincial honors.
With that in mind, we believe that the tuition fee that the school asks for is worth it. Despite being a private school, Little Flower Academy’s $8,500 tuition fee is relatively more affordable than other private schools in this list.
If you can pass the entrance exams, you can expect a mix of affordability and quality with your education. As such, Little Flower Academy earns its spot as one of the top high schools in Vancouver despite them being an all-girls Catholic school.
Pros
Cons
- Strict entrance requirements
Student Reviews
Supportive teachers
Amazing school, great teachers, very supportive with the counseling. – Sage, Google Reviews
5. St John’s School
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Affordability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Opportunities for skill development | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Academic results | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Last but not least is St. John’s School, a coeducational high school in Vancouver with one of the smallest class sizes. With a current population of 570, St. John’s School is able to meet their students’ needs better.
You don’t have to take our word for it. One of the students we interviewed praises the school for having an inclusive, tight-knit community.
St. John’s School does a great job at producing well-educated students, as evidenced by their 100% graduation rate. These students are also able to go to the universities that they choose after graduation.
This achievement is amplified by the school’s numerous activities for students. St. John’s School hosts over 70 clubs that provide high schoolers with multiple opportunities to grow and develop their skills in their own fields of interest.
In addition, the school also hosts regular outdoor activities for all their students. Students often go on field trips, hikes, fishing trips, and camping trips to help build camaraderie and encourage appreciation for nature.
We believe that these events are a good addition to the regular school curriculum because trips make learning fun and memorable.
These trips and co-curriculars are included in the school’s fees. St. John’s School’s teaching, however, does not come cheap.
The school’s tuition fee costs upwards of $25,000 for grades 8 to 12. Despite including the trips, textbooks, and swimming lessons, the costs of entering St. John’s School is still one of the highest in Vancouver.
Pros
- Over 70 clubs and organizations
- 100% graduation rate
- Smaller class sizes
Cons
- Highly expensive
Student Reviews
Great staff
It’s an excellent school with amazing teaching staff and a very inclusive community. – Jag, Google Reviews
