The Gardner School of Arts & Sciences, Vancouver | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

We have two extremely active and inquisitive young boys.  As parents, we were seeking a learning environment that fosters both gross motor and fine motor skills in equal measure.  By that I mean, we wanted our boys to learn the correct pencil grip and scissor skills but we also wanted them to be able to move freely in their natural environment running, kicking, digging in the mud.  We were seeking the perfect mix of focused inside classroom learning and unstructured outside learning.  The Gardner School was a perfect fit for us from the very beginning.

In addition to the amazing thematic based academics including weekly music, art and Spanish lessons, the boys spend quality time outside each day.  That could be exploring the frogs and creepy crawlies in the campus wetlands or learning ethnobotany and entomology in the Gardener garden.  My preschoolers particular outside favorite is digging and building in the enormous sand and mud dig area under the evergreens behind the school.

The staff does an excellent job of listening and observing the child at play in their natural environment and taking small moments to teach lessons.  Yesterday my child was observing a ‘yellow bird’ at the feeder and his teacher took the time to stop and talk with him about it.  They looked up the bird in a field guide book, learned its name (American Goldfinch), gender and its favorite food.  She photocopied that page and let him keep it so he could teach us (he loves to know something his big brother doesn’t).  That is just one of many instances of the Gardener staff teaching the boys how to become life long learners by encouraging their boundless energy and curiosity.

I could go on and on about the positive experiences we have had the last year and half at The Gardener School.   If you are looking for a well rounded, whole child learning experience The Gardener School does a fantastic job.
If you are even just a tad bit curious, schedule a visit.

I have two children attending The Gardner School and I couldn’t be more pleased with our choice. We transferred our son there when he was in 1st grade in February 2020 because he was struggling at school. Of course Covid hit soon after but Gardner managed to pivot to an online learning within 3 days. By Fall of 2020 it was open again full time and one of the few schools able to do so. My daughter started Kindergarten that year and I’m truly grateful that she was able to go to school in person.

Gardner is unique in that it treats children as individuals, allowing them to grow and learn at their own pace and uses a variety of learning styles because they know that not everyone learns best the same way. The teachers are truly caring and create a nurturing environment that encourages children to reach their fullest potential.

The outdoor spaces are a big part of what makes The Gardner School so special. Our children love spending time outside, participating in games and activities that are designed to foster their physical and mental development. The wetlands and garden provide really unique experiences that you can’t get at a traditional school.

The school also has a great culture that celebrates the value of learning and exploration. We have found the financial aid that is available to be a great help in making the school affordable for us to attend.

As a strong believer in the Gardner School’s mission and my desire for it to thrive far into the future, I have recently joined the Board of Trustees. I’ve found the Board to be a very professional and positive group of people which are all dedicated to making Gardner the best school possible.

Overall, we are very pleased with The Gardner School and highly recommend it to any family looking for a school that fosters academic and personal growth in their children.

I am a grandparent of three children who are all attending the Gardner School of Arts and Sciences. I have an interest in them receiving the best possible education in their formative years. This is a school which serves that purpose.

In my observations of some public schools lately there’s been a failure in educating kids to even average standards. I’ve seen unruly reprehensible and chaotic activities in our public schools. Lately we’ve seen in the media some teachers raising your kids are examples of instability, gender confusion, and lack of any real guidance. That’s not what happens at this school. Private school enrollment has increased because of this realization.

I feel at a private school like the Gardner school of arts and sciences, which is supported by the parents of the students and is intimately involved with the parents has an atmosphere of safety, comfort, support, and stability.
The teachers I know have a good skills and values to teach at high standards. My grandkids kids love to go to this school because it’s an exciting safe and inspiring atmosphere to pursue learning by their young and undeveloped minds in a comfortable setting. The children get support and encouragement from the skillful, kind and mindful educators. Positive feedback frequently given by the caring staff is possible because of the student to teacher ratio. I wish I could’ve gone to school like this when I was growing up, my grandkids have learned more at their age than I ever knew, and I am positive they’ll do well in the future because of receiving a solid foundation.