The 5 Benefits of Attending Bodwell High School

Mika Iwai
February 3, 2023

About Bodwell

Founded in 1991, Bodwell High School has quickly become well-regarded among international students as a leading, co-educational private boarding school with plenty of resources for university preparation. Offering education to students between Grades 8 and 12, Bodwell’s diverse student population of local and international students contributes to a rich learning experience. With students from over 40 countries, Bodwell is a place where everyone can build long-lasting friendships and lifelong memories.

Bodwell’s purpose is to “provide a culturally diverse environment for students from around the globe and enable them to become active learners and well-rounded citizens who contribute positively to the world.” Certified by the British Columbia Ministry of Education, the school follows the provincial curriculum. At the end of Grade 12 academic program, students will receive the B.C. Certificate of Graduation or “Dogwood Diploma,” just like any other graduating Grade 12 student in the province.

Benefit #1: English Success

Many people come to Canada to broaden their horizons and get to grips with a new culture. But students, in particular, often come here to learn and improve their English. Students at Bodwell will not only learn English in a classroom setting but will be able to explore the language in various forms of hands-on learning.

Bodwell pinpoints 8 elements that contribute to English success:

2 semesters with an optional course in July

An optional summer course will allow students to strengthen their English skills.

Small class sizes

With an average of 18 students per class, there is an enhanced focus on each student’s unique needs.

Experienced teachers

B.C-certified teachers are experienced with teaching a wide range of students and can provide individual support.

Active learning

Learning English will be developed through community work, field trips and hands-on studies.

Saturday Enrichment

A three-hour class on Saturday mornings that focus either on English, Global Citizenship, Career Exposure, Outdoor Education & Sports, or New Media and Performing Arts.

Use of technology

Students can enhance their learning by using Office365, Adobe Creative Cloud and Lynda.com.

Co-Curricular

Involvement in various clubs and activities will shape students into well-rounded graduates as they prepare for their future.

Outdoor Inspiration

Students can participate in educational trips and outdoor activities throughout the year to enhance their education.

Benefit #2: A Beautifully Modern Campus

Bodwell High School isn’t your typical school. After all, their campus features:

Two multipurpose gyms
An indoor swimming pool
A theatre
A state-of-the-art multi-media auditorium
Music rooms
A split-level library
Two spacious cafeterias with rooftop patios
High-speed wireless internet

Bodwell’s campus also sits by the water, offering views of the Vancouver harbour, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains.

Benefit #3: Preparation for Post-Secondary Learning

While most high schools have a career counsellor to help them navigate their future goals, Bodwell has an entire team of professionals to help students figure out what they want to do after graduation. The University and Career Guidance Team has developed strong relationships with numerous post-secondary institutions across Canada, the U.S., and other countries to maximize the potential of Bodwell students.

As of 2022:

86% of graduates are accepted to either university or college
94% of graduates are attending a university or college in North America
145 graduates received 502 offers of admission from 100 universities and colleges in 8 countries
The top five universities Bodwell students are admitted to include The University of Toronto, York University, The University of Alberta, The University of British Columbia and Western University

Benefit #4: International Baccalaureate (IB)

Grade 8 and 9 students who feel they can take up the challenge can enroll in Bodwell’s Middle Year IB program. Accelerated learning is the primary focus of IB, although students will also engage in high-quality, challenging education.

Subject groups for Grade 8 and 9 students in IB include:

Language and Literature
Language Acquisition (French and other languages)
Individuals and Societies
Sciences
Mathematics
Arts
Physical and Health Education
Design, Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)

Benefits #5: A Wide Range of Co-Curricular Activities

Being well-rounded means that students are often involved in other areas of their school life, such as competitive sports, clubs, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and so on. At Bodwell, students have access to all of these activities, with many of the school’s sports teams and clubs winning awards at various levels.

Competitive sports include:

Basketball
Volleyball
Track & Field
Soccer (Boys)
Swimming
Badminton (Co-Ed)
Cross-Country Running
Skiing
Snowboarding

Creative activities include:

Fine arts (painting, clay sculpting, etc.)
Music (DJ-ing, choir, band, etc.)
Performance (acting, dance, etc.)

As leaders and global citizens, students can volunteer at places like:

The Vancouver Aquarium
The Stanley Park Ecology Society
Aunt Leah’s Place
BC SPCA
North Vancouver City Library
4CATS
Sunrise Senior Living
…And more

For general information on academics, admissions, programs, boarding and other services, please visit the official Bodwell High School website or consider attending their upcoming open house for more information.