Stratford Hall (school)
| Stratford Hall | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
3000 Commercial Drive Vancouver, British Columbia, V5N 4E2, Canada | |
| Information | |
| Head of school | Dr. Jim McConnell |
| Administrator | Contact reception |
| School type | Independent IB |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Language | English with Spanish, French (Mandatory until gr.12) |
| Area | Vancouver |
| Team name | Stratford Sabres |
| Colors | Burgandy with navy blue and white |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Enrollment | 511 |
| Homepage | http://www.stratfordhall.ca |
Stratford Hall, an independent coeducational school located on the east side of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, opened on September 5, 2000. Stratford Hall is one of five Western Canada schools to complete International Baccalaureate experience with IB offered from Kindergarten through Grade 12 to all students. The school teaches the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programmes. In accordance with the IB philosophy, the school emphasizes multilingual ability and a global perspective. Graduates obtain an IB diploma recognized by universities worldwide.
Stratford Hall is an 'urban' school located on Commercial Drive, with a separate building for each IB program, and each has characteristics specially designed for students. Common to each building is a sense of openness and student spaces, and for collaboration. When you walk into the buildings, you see learning happening everywhere: it is public and celebrated.
History
Stratford Hall was founded in the late 1990s by two Burnaby mothers, Elaine Lee and Cindy Leung, who wanted a university preparatory option for their own children. They formed a not-for-profit society, the Burnaby Independent School Society (now the Stratford Hall (School) Society), and in October 1999, they appointed James McConnell as Head of School. They also secured a temporary site, the Italian Cultural Centre, which served the school for its first nine years.
In September 2000, classes began for 40 students in kindergarten through to grade 6. Since then, the school has added about 40 new students each year. A second kindergarten class was created in 2001, and in May 2007, the first set of students graduated from grade 12. Stratford Hall's current enrollment is 511 students in kindergarten to grade 12.
The founders chose to embark on the International Baccalaureate Programme in October 1999, and Stratford Hall was one of the first schools in the world to establish itself using all three IB Programmes. In 2003, the school was awarded authorization for the IB Primary Years Programme, the first school in Western Canada to do so. In 2005, it achieved authorization for the IB Diploma Programme, ensuring that its first graduating class would be Diploma candidates. It achieved full authorization for the Middle Years Programme in 2009. We are now one of 5 schools in the lower mainland, one of 12 in Canada, and one of 185 in the world to offer the IB Continuum Programme.
Stratford Hall was accepted into the Independent Schools Association of BC in 2003, and into the Canadian Association of Independent Schools in 2005.
In September 2005, the grades 6 - 12 program was moved from the Italian Cultural Centre to its current building, the former Ailanthus Centre on Commercial Drive. The DP Building, located in a state-of-the-art facility that formerly housed a performing arts centre for youth, offers its students an enriched academic curriculum including music (taiko drumming), performing arts (circus activities), and outdoor education.
The first Stratford Hall grade 12 class graduated in May 2007. There were only 6 graduates. The smallest graduating class, consisting of 1 student, graduated in 2008.
In 2007, Stratford Hall purchased a lot on the same block of Commercial, and in 2008, construction began on the new Primary Years facility. The new building, designed specifically for the IB Primary Years Programme, opened in November 2009.
In 2012, construction began on the new purpose built Middle Years Programme building for grades 6 - 10 students, located at 3150 Commercial drive. This building was opened in January 2014 providing additional space. The school has now three distinct buildings for each of the IB programmes. Each building has been thoughtfully designed for learning today and in the future, rather than learning in the 20th century.
Experiential education
Stratford Hall emphasizes educating the whole child through a balance of academic and experiential courses – courses that require less ‘book work’ and more ‘hands-on’ activities.
In the Primary Years Programme, the formal experiential courses are physical education and music until grade 4, when outdoor education is added. Physical education is designed to focus on fitness and skill development, and is taught by a specialist from grade 1 on. Music utilizes Orff concepts, beginning at kindergarten. Specialist teachers engage students in activities that are related to music and that encourage creativity. Outdoor education exposes students to wilderness-related experiences, beginning with age-appropriate introductions.
In the Middle Years Programme, the experiential program plays an even more important role. Outdoor education becomes a three-hour-per-week time for sea kayaking, snowshoeing, sailing, climbing, and hiking. Social service activities are also included. Each grade has at least one overnight trip.
Music focuses on Taiko drumming, taught by a professional Taiko player. Taiko is a Japanese art form that combines music and action. By grades 9 and 10, students perform complex pieces.
Theatre is based on Cirque du Soleil-style activities. In grade 6, students are introduced to some of the basics, like tumbling, juggling, and building human pyramids. As students progress through the grades, they learn more complex skills, such as flips and aerial work. In grade 10, students may choose either theatre or music, or both, as an option.
Physical education, taught by a specialist, includes traditional sports and fitness, and it complements the outdoor education and fine arts programs. There is a fitness room at the school.
A final course, called Connections, involves itself with community building and personal planning. Part of the course helps students create links between their different courses.
In the IB Diploma Programme, the experiential component is accomplished through Creativity, Action and Service. Students are required to do 50 hours of each, spread over the two years of the program.
Athletics and co-curricular programs
Stratford Hall offers many clubs, beginning in the Primary Years Programme and increasing through to the Diploma Programme. These clubs offer opportunities for students to participate in activities that interest them, and broaden their experience. Examples of existing clubs are Model United Nations, rock climbing, music (choir, rock band), Mission Kipevu (a school in Africa that Stratford Hall supports) and debate.
Athletics play an important part at Stratford Hall. Beginning at grade 4, students may participate in a number of school teams including cross-country running, soccer, volleyball, basketball, ultimate, track and field, badminton, floor hockey and softball. Stratford Hall is a member of a number of independent school leagues.
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