The Story of WPGA

In the summer of 1995, a group of friends—all young Vancouver professionals—got together to discuss an idea. The group included Dr. Peter Wong, Dr. Raymond Kwan, Jack Siu, Ronald Khoo, Raymond Yue, Bill Wan and Peter Tsang. After Dr. Wong chatted with his friend Andrew Chan, the wheels continued to turn. The group expanded to include Michael Choi, Jonathan Choi, Clifford Mirikitani and Caroline Sze, building a momentum that would alter Vancouver’s independent school landscape only nine months later.  

The group had met to discuss the logistics of starting an independent coeducational day school on Vancouver’s west side, an idea they’d actually been discussing for some time. Each individual had their reasons for considering an ambitious undertaking, but all felt this would be a way of giving back to the community and paying it forward. They all placed extremely high value on education, and moreover an education that prioritized the whole child, that gave children confidence in themselves and their ability to handle life’s challenges, and that promoted an open-minded, global perspective on the world.     

Finding a school location was key, and the group looked at three locations before leasing 18 acres on the Jericho Lands, the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. The group managed building renovations, set up the business office, procured equipment—most of it secondhand—and even designed the uniform (well, their wives designed the uniform—thank you, Simmy Wong, Rita Kwan, Anna Siu, Katie Khoo, Edna Yue and Eleanor Wan). In April 1996, Andrew Chan, Michael Choi, Elsie Sze, along with the original group of Dr. Wong, Dr. Kwan, Jack Siu, Ronald Khoo, Raymond Yue, Bill Wan and Peter Tsang, established WPGA as a school under the name West Point Grey Academy Independent School Society. 

School Leadership 
In June 1996, Clive Austin, then Director of Admissions at St. George’s School, was hired as Headmaster. That summer, Mr. Austin hired 24 teachers and staff for WPGA. Word soon spread in the community about this new, progressive school set to open in September 1996. 

The admissions plan was to enroll 150 students, yet by September 1, 325 children in JK to grade 8 had joined the “little school with a big vision.” In only five years, the school grew to a JK-12 school and proudly graduated its first grad class in 2001.

When Clive Austin retired from WPGA in 2013, Tam Matthews became the second Head of School, bringing 30 years’ leadership experience at independent schools across Canada. In July 2019, Tam Matthews retired from WPGA and Stephen Anthony, founding teacher and longstanding Head of Senior School, became the third Head of School. 

Since 2010, WPGA has been at capacity with 943 students, and now employs 185 teachers and staff. In June 2023, our 23rd graduating class joined a network of over 1,400 alumni worldwide.  

With our original school motto of Progredimini Confidenter, Go Forth With Confidence, WPGA celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2020-2021. Guided by our vision, our connection with the land, our community, and our mission of Shaping Lives of Inquiry, Action & Joy, we look ahead to 25 more years and beyond on the Jericho Lands and to many more generations of Grey Wolves.
    • WPGA Heads of School 1996-Present

      Stephen Anthony, Head of School; Tam Matthews, Retired Head; Clive Austin, Founding Head

West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750  

Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.