Nurturing Every Child’s Unique Potential at Pear Tree School Kitsilano

Curious About Our Approach?

We know choosing a school is a big decision. Our team is here to answer your questions-about our curriculum, values, and how we support each child’s journey.

• How long has Pear Tree School existed?

  Pear Tree Education was founded in 2011. Our school, Pear Tree Elementary, opened September 2016. In 2021, we migrated to the name Pear Tree School as part of our expansion to the middle/high school years.

• Is Pear Tree School licensed?

  Pear Tree School’s curriculum is based on the revised B.C. curriculum. However, we take a different educational approach. We do not teach subjects separately. Instead, Pear Tree integrates subjects around relevant and engaging educational themes. Not only is this a natural and captivating way of thinking and learning, but it also means that we can cover the requirements of multiple subjects in less time, which gives our students and teachers more time for deeper, broader, and more meaningful learning.

  Pear Tree School extends far beyond the expectations of the B.C. curriculum.

• Why do you have combined grade classes?

  Children are not homogeneous. Even within one grade, there are significant differences between your child and other children: academically, socio-emotionally (incl. maturity), and physically. In part, this is because of when your child was born, as well as their genetics and upbringing.

  There are a number of benefits to combined grade classes:

  • Developing a strong teacher-student connection
  • Teacher-parent relationships are stronger
  • Older students are generally amazing role models for younger students and learn to be much more empathetic
  • We foster a sense of community, not competition
  • With a greater range of abilities in the class, everyone feels they belong, regardless of their strengths and weaknesses
  • Different levels of maturity mean that children naturally make friends with others of different ages than themselves

  These benefits are ones we witness all of the time, and are similar to the experiences of the educational community at large. For more, read here.

• Does Pear Tree follow the B.C. curriculum?

  Pear Tree School’s curriculum is based on the revised B.C. curriculum. However, we take a different educational approach. We do not teach subjects separately. Instead, Pear Tree integrates subjects around relevant and engaging educational themes. Not only is this a natural and captivating way of thinking and learning, but it also means that we can cover the requirements of multiple subjects in less time, which gives our students and teachers more time for deeper, broader, and more meaningful learning. Pear Tree School extends far beyond the expectations of the B.C. curriculum.

• Are there report cards?

  Yes, Pear Tree School provides detailed digital report cards with written feedback on academics, socio-emotional development, and physical development.

  However, these report cards are designed to be read in conjunction with the student’s online portfolio and goal-setting document.