Are you considering studying in Richmond, B.C.? Come discover the unique and exciting experiences that await you in this vibrant city!
About Richmond
The coastal city of Richmond is nestled in the mouth of the Fraser River, the longest river in British Columbia. Despite being a suburban community with a bustling city centre, Richmond is an island city consisting of Sea Island, most of Lulu Island and 15 smaller islands. Each of these islands makes up the city of Richmond, which is favourably located right next to the water, near downtown Vancouver and the U.S. border.
Richmond has undergone plenty of changes, especially during the period it officially became recognized as a city on December 3, 1990. Today, Richmond is an ethnically diverse, cultural and dynamic city with a unique mix of shopping centres, nature parks, beaches, and residential and commercial properties. Roughly 60% of the 231,000 residents in Richmond are Asian immigrants, mainly from China and other East Asian and Southeast Asian countries.
The city centre comprises shopping malls, restaurants, parks, community and recreation centres, libraries, and so on. But just minutes away, you’ll stumble upon over 200 local farms and a few beaches. Being voted one of Canada’s most liveable cities, Richmond is also home to 80 kilometres of walking and biking trails that offer beautiful mountain and ocean views. Popular locations include Steveston Village and the Iona Beach Regional Park.
Interestingly, a recent report by Statistics Canada has declared that people living in Richmond have the longest life expectancy in Canada, living an average of 85.7 years, four years longer than the national average of 81.1 years. So, you may want to keep this in mind when choosing your ideal city!
Why Study in Richmond?
The city of Richmond offers world-class education to students through its elementary and secondary schools. Every year, over 1000 students from all over the world come to Richmond to pursue their academic, technical, and extracurricular passions through the school’s various programs. Each program is designed to allow international students to study alongside local Canadian students under the B.C. public education system. And importantly, a B.C. graduation certificate is internationally recognized for its quality and is accepted by top universities worldwide.
The Richmond School District currently offers eight school-related programs for international students:
Richmond has 10 secondary schools, with a combined enrollment of just over 11,000. Each secondary school offers world-class education, with classes taught and activities run by B.C.-certified teachers and international student coordinators.
In all secondary schools (Grades 8 to 12), the following courses are offered:
- International Baccalaureate-Senior Years (IB-SYP) and International Baccalaureate-Middle Years Program (IB-MYP)
- Information Technology
- Business
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- Modern Languages
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Broadcasting and Recording Arts Technology
- Engineering
- All levels of Computer Assisted Design and Drafting (CADD)
- Environmental Biology
- Computer Animation
- Desktop Publishing
- Music Composition
Richmond has 38 elementary schools spread throughout different neighbourhoods. With a combined enrollment of approximately 11,000 students, international students (ages 5 to 13) are welcomed into their respective school communities as long as space permits. In school, students will participate in various courses, activities, sports and clubs.
This program is designed for K – 12 students who are interested in studying in Canada but do not wish to commit to a full semester or year at a Canadian school. The Short Term Program thus allows students to immerse themselves in an authentic school environment for a short period.
The 3-Week Summer Camp program is open to all students in Canada and focuses on interactive and informative lessons taught by certified teachers. The goal of the camp is for students to learn English while having fun exploring Richmond and Vancouver.
Summer programs are offered by Richmond International Education (RIE). Students can take English development classes that will help them learn English and understand the expectations for Canadian education and culture. Classes will be informative but interactive as well.
Professional Learning Programs
RIE offers learning programs for international education professionals and their groups. Learning programs are flexible and can be personalized to suit an individual’s or group’s unique needs. Programs will focus on ELL programming, academic offerings and curriculum development. They may also include teacher training, class observations, team teaching, workshops and seminars.
The Richmond School District offers a unique experience in which a program can be tailored to a group’s specific needs and educational goals. Groups of 15 or more students can choose specific options that will contribute to their involvement in a customized school program. They can choose from a wide range of courses, including ELL and other non-academic courses like Physical Education, Computer Studies, Art, Music and more.
6-Week Summer Academic English Program
Students looking to build their English skills will benefit greatly from this 6-week summer English program. Focusing on building English competency, classes in this program will assist students in developing the necessary skills and vocabulary used in academic settings in Canada, both at the secondary and post-secondary levels. For six weeks, students will read, write, listen and speak English to sharpen their skills, build confidence and become familiar with the language for academic success in Canada.
