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Community Analysis

School History

& Philosphy

School History and Philosophy

• The Vancouver Christian School (VCS) society was established in the 1930's by Dutch immigrants with a strong tradition of Christian Schooling

• Calvin Christian School, dubbed Vancouver Christina School in 1965, opened its doors in 1949 with 11 students and 1 Teacher and is recognized as one of the oldest Christian schools in British Columbia.

• VCS has a clear faith-based Mission: “Vancouver Christian School serves Christian families by providing an excellent Christ-centered education in a secure learning environment so that each student will be equipped to become a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.”

• The school is parent run and encourages caregivers to be active partners by volunteering and serving on the school board

• As an independent school, VCS receives 50% of the operational funding that public schools get from the government. The remaining 50% is covered by tuition

• Tuition is $4,890 for one student, $6,040 for two and $6,630 for three or more

• Fundraising pays for capital expenditures. VCS hosts one major capital campaign each fall

• Famous graduates from Vancouver Christian School include opera singer Karen Ydenberg White and Anna van der Kamp, a silver medalist in rowing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics

• The school website can be viewed at http://www.vancouverchristian.org/page.php

School

Structure

School Structure

• There are over 360 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 at VCS

• There is a primary wing for K-3 classes, an intermediate wing for Grades 4&5, and a middle school wing for Grades 6-8 with two classes at every grade level

• VCS is committed to the middle school concept, as research shows that this grouping is most effective for students between the ages of 11-13

• VCS runs a full-day Kindergarten program in accordance with recently implemented government guidelines

• 9 students in the school receive government funding for special needs and have SEA’s

• There are 48 staff members, 22 of which are teachers

• The affiliated high school, Carver Christian High school, is at a different location in the neighboring city of Burnaby. Students can ride a shuttle between campuses

• VCS has a working partnership with John Knox Christian School, as both are feeder schools for Carver Christian High school

School

Community

School Community

• VCS is located in the Renfrew-Collingwood area of east Vancouver near the boundary with the city of Burnaby

• The school is surrounded by low to middle income housing and has substantial business within close proximity to the school

• According to the most recent census, the surrounding neighborhood had a population of 48,885 in 2006 with 42.7% claiming Chinese as their mother tongue

• The school population itself is comprised of many commuter families who come from other parts of Vancouver and surrounding cities including Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, North Vancouver and Coquitlam

• VCS is a very ethnically diverse community with a high number of students speaking more than one language including: Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, French, Hindi and Spanish

• As an interdenominational organization, 110 different churches are represented at the school

• According to the Fraser Institute report in 2009/2010 the parent’s average income at VCS was $53,100

Professional

Accountability

Professional Accountability

• Teachers at VCS must hold a valid BC Teaching certificate, are required to take a course every two years, and are continuously involved in professional development

• The BC Ministry of Education performs a thorough evaluation of the school every six years and a monitoring visit every 2 years

• The Society of Christian Schools of B.C. also performs evaluations of the administration, board, and school programs on a regular basis; the most recent being an evaluation of the Learning Assistance program in 2010

• Students participate in standardized testing in Grades 4 & 7 and consistently perform at a higher rate than provincial norms

• The Fraser Institute report for 2009/2010 ranked the school 237/875. The 5 year average ranking was 96/751

School

Library

School Library

• The Library staff consist of a Teacher Librarian and Library Clerk, with help from a number of parent and student volunteers

• The school has had a working TL since 1989 and is committed to the library program

• VCS Library is both on a fixed and flexible schedule with K-5 classes having assigned time slots and Grades 6-8 signing up at teacher discretion. Grade 6-8 students can visit individually during class time with a library pass

• The library is also open in the mornings, lunch, and after school

• All classes begin the year with an orientation and the TL offers book talks and lessons to classes throughout the year

• The TL is open to, and frequently engages in, collaborative planning and teaching with classroom teachers. The TL also supports teachers by selecting resources for specific units of study

• The middle school grades research regularly in the library and also use the library as a quiet work space and to sign out books for pleasure reading

• In addition to the computers available in the library, students can also use the neighboring computer lab for research purposes

• Copy and printing services are available on site

• Special programs run through the library include the Red Cedar Book Club, Book Month, DEAR, an annual book fair, and occasional author visits

• The library staff attempt to select resources that reflect the Christian Philosophy of the school

• The library clerk has been working on creating web links for students based on major curricular topics by grade

• Students can access the library catalog online from home via the website found at http://www.scsbc-destiny.ca/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home

School

Curriculum

School Curriculum

• VCS follows the learning outcomes provided by the BC Ministry of Education while endeavouring to teach children that faith and learning go together, helping students develop a distinctive Christian worldview

• School wide educational programs include: Spelling into Reading and Math to the Max

• Parent training workshops are offered each fall to educate parents on both the spelling and early literacy programs

• VCS cycles through yearly school-wide curricular themes such as geography, reading, writing, science, fine arts, etc. This year’s theme is physical education

• Each year the school also focusses on one of the key words of the student motto- STARS: Stewardship, Teamwork, Achievement, Restoration, and Servant hood

• The school has a French Specialist who teaches Grade 4-8. The Elementary VP teachers French for grades K-3. Both use the Accelerated Integrated Method or AIM Program

• The school also employs a part-time Art Specialist and full-time Music Teacher

• VCS offers a variety of extra-curricular activities such as sports teams, chess club, drama club, gymnastics, strings, choir, and writing & reading clubs

Fine Arts

Fine Arts Program

• The arts are an important part of VCS and students have many opportunities to express themselves musically, dramatically and artistically

• In music, the K-5 students receive solid instruction in the basics of musical theory and are exposed to a variety of musical genres and instruments

• Music electives are also offered outside of the school schedule such as strings and choir

• VCS hosts two music concerts a year, couples with John Knox and Carver Christian for an arts gala in the spring, and present a Fine Arts Festival once every five years

• For 19 years students in Grade 5-8 have received art classes from an Art Specialist

• Students in Grade 6 take mandatory band and art with the option of continuing in the elective of their choice in Grades 7 and 8

• Students can pursue other fine art mediums such as photography, textile arts, and sculpture during both the Exploratory Program and Theme week offered annually

• Currently the school is working with an Artist in Residence on a BC themed mural for the back wall of the school; one component of an overall School Beautification Project

• The Visual Arts Blog can be viewed at http://vcsart-memmott.blogspot.com/2011/09/weclome-back.html

Grade 7

Grade 7

• There are currently two Grade 7 classes comprising a total of 40 students

• Each class has a homeroom teacher, but also is taught subjects by speciality teachers in the areas of French, Music, Art, PE, and Science

• Mrs. Con has taught Grade 7 at the school for 9 years and has acted as the part-time Middle School VP for 3 years. Her background is in biology

• Mr. D has been at the school for 6 years and has a background in geography, counselling, and physical education. He has taught Grade 7 for 3 years and also works as the Athletic Coordinator

• The students use text books for both Social Studies and Science

• The Grade 7 classes currently access the library for research on the following topics: Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece) in Social Studies; Ecology, Rocks & Minerals, and Earth’s Crust in Science; Biblical characters in Bible

• The major units of study for Grade 7 Art include the Principles and Elements of Design, and the Art of Ancient Egypt & Greece. They do three projects that require research during the year: Egyptian masks, Endangered Species Poster, and Art History Pop Cans

Community

Contacts

Community Contacts

• SCSBC: The Society of Christian Schools of British Columbia is an association that supports independent Christian schools by providing curriculum handbooks, board workshops, staff development, and school evaluations. They offer an online library catalog of professional resources available at http://www.scsbcdestiny.ca/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home

• Other Christian Schools: A network of other Christian Schools has been created through the sharing of a common automated software program known as Destiny. All SCSBC Destiny Library Sites can be accessed at http://www.scsbc-destiny.ca/

• Vancouver Public Library: Renfrew Public Library, located walking distance from the school, is used frequently by the current TL; she has a good existing working relationship with the librarians there, as she borrows books for school use on a regular basis. The VPL Catalogue can be viewed at www.vpl.ca

• OPUS Framing & Art Supplies: OPUS is the largest art supply dealer in the Lower Mainland. Their ware house is located blocks from VCS. Part of their mission statement reads: “We are committed to supporting and advancing the visual arts in our community.” They currently offer many programs to support school art education including: an online How-to Library with free downloadable materials, a Visual Arts Newsletter, Artist & Store Demonstrations, Community Workshops, and a Community Support & Donations program. Visit their website at http://www.opusframing.com/

• Vancouver Art Gallery: The VAG, located 10 minutes by car from VCS, offers programs for school groups from Grades 2-12 which include guided exhibition tours, art making workshops, and full-day residency programs. Their website also offers downloadable Teacher’s Study Guides. The gallery also offers family programs on weekends and a new Teen Art Group. For more info visit http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca

• ArtStarts: ArtStarts is an organization that offers a range of programs and resources that support arts and creativity for students in BC. Programs include: school performances, artist visits, activities for students, educator conferences, funding opportunities and more. ArtStarts also offers free weekend activities for students and their families. Visit their website at http://artstarts.com/programs-at-a-glance)

• Over 360 students K-8

• K-3 Primary, 4&5 Intermediate, 6-8 Middle School- double tracked

• 21 teachers, 9 EA, 3 support staff, 16 Business Office/Admin

• Full Day Kindergarten

• Partnership with John Know Christian- bot feeder schools for Carver Secondary 9-12

• The high school has a different location and students can ride a shuttle between campuses.

• We are committed to the Middle School concept as the best research shows that this grouping is most effective for students between the ages of 11-13.

References

Artstarts. (2011). Educators & Students: Programs at a Glance. Retrieved from http://artstarts.com/programs-at-a-glance

Dowber, Dan. (2011, September 26). Vancouver Christian School Looks back at 60. Canadian Christianly. Retrieved from http://canadianchristianity.com/bc/bccn/0210/24school.html

Fraser Institute. (2010). School Reports Cards: Report Card for Vancouver Christian. Retrieved from http://britishcolumbia.compareschoolrankings.org/elementary/Vancouver_Christian/Vancouver/Report_Card.aspx

O’Connor, N. (2009, October 30). Class Notes. Vancouver Courier. Retrieved from http://www.vancourier.com/news/Class+Notes/2897062/story.html

OPUS. (2011). Art Education & School Account Services. Retrieved from http://www.opusframing.com/

SCSBC. (2011). Destiny Online Resource Library. Retrieved from http://www.scsbc.ca/

Statistics Canada. (2006). Community Statistics Census Data: Renfrew-Collingwood. Retrieved from http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/census/2006/localareas/renfrew.pdf

Vancouver Art Gallery. (2011). Schools and Education. Retrieved from http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca

Vancouver Christian School. (2011). Course Overviews.

Vancouver Christian School. (2011). School Website. Retrieved from http://www.vancouverchristian.org/page.php

Vancouver Christian School. (2011). Vancouver Christian School Directory.

Vancouver Christian School. (2008). Vancouver Christian School Library Handbook.

Vancouver Christian School

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