Independent Schools
Maple Ridge is home to Meadowridge Independent School, a highly sought after independent, coeducational, secular, International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. One of only four in British Columbian and nine in Canada to be an IB Continuum World School, offering the IB Programme from Junior Kindergarten JK to Grade 12 (Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP). Meadowridge is also a member of the Canadian Educational Standards Institute (CESI), and the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and Meadowridge is now a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), one of only three such schools in Canada. CIS is considered the strongest accrediting agency, globally.
The secondary language acquisition programmes at Meadowridge are excellent – most students are able to complete their DELF (French) /or DELA (Spanish) A1, A2, B1, B2 by the time they finish grade 12 – this qualifies the students as completely bilingual.
There are a number of other excellent schools in the district both independent and public.
This variety offers families a wide range of unique programming to suit individual students.
For instance, there are two Christian independent schools in our area. One which offers grade 1-12 the other is a Catholic Elementary School offering grades K – 7. The associated Catholic High School is not far away.
Public Schools
The public system offers other choices. Public schools here are divided into elementary grades K-7 and high school grades 8-12. We have several French immersion schools, early immersion (K-7) and late immersion (grade 6/7) plus an immersion secondary school programme or the student may re-enter into the mainstream programme in grade 8.
An example of the range of programmes includes the Lap Top programme offered at two elementary schools in grades 6/7 and the continuation of that programme at Thomas Haney Secondary School. THSS is an award winning school and a member of the Canadian, Coalition of Self-Directed Learning (CCSDL), and dedicated to the personalization of learning. Maple Ridge Secondary offers comprehensive music and athletic programmes and the option of full high school French immersion. There are several others to meet the needs of all students and their families.