Meet Our Heads
Welcome to West Point Grey Academy. Located on the beautiful Jericho Lands in Vancouver, the unceded territories of the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, we are proud to be a leading independent school of junior kindergarten through grade 12, with our growth and success rooted in our inclusive, spirited school community of students, teachers, families, staff, alumni and alumni families.
In one word, the WPGA experience is authentic. In our supportive learning environment, students are empowered to develop a growth mindset, with the goal of becoming the best versions of themselves. Guided by experienced and caring teachers, students establish a strong academic foundation that is enriched by our commitment to character development, global learning, social justice, environmental sustainability and emotional wellbeing.
The primary program lays the groundwork for learning at WPGA. Literacy and numeracy are the focus, with teachers using digital applications and kinesthetic/sensory tools to support learning. As students progress in the intermediate grades, they build analytical and problem-solving capacity through applied skills learning and electives tailored to their interests.
The Senior School offers students a seamless yet brand new experience on their WPGA journey. With personalized schedules tailored to their interests and postsecondary goals, students work both independently and collaboratively, developing the independence, skills and capacity to dive deeply into their passions and successfully pursue their post-graduation path of choice, from business, science, education and engineering to medicine, math, filmmaking, design, music and theatre.
Dedicated to fostering a rich and balanced educational experience, embedded with music, the arts, athletics, community service, and Indigenous learning, we endeavour to graduate open-minded, compassionate leaders who care deeply about each other, their local and global communities, and their own wellbeing.
As we celebrate our 28th anniversary in 2023-2024, we remain deeply committed to our mission, Shaping Lives of Inquiry, Action and Joy, and look ahead to many more generations of Grey Wolves.
Progredimini Confidenter. Go Forth With Confidence.
Sincerely,
Stephen Anthony
Head of School
Miles '18, Charlie '20, Sam '23
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Ciara Corcoran
Head of Junior SchoolCiara was among the first faculty members at West Point Grey Academy in 1996, before the school had opened its doors, and has been instrumental to the school's success, including its educational philosophy, student-centered vision and mission, and caliber of teaching and learning. Ciara oversees teacher hiring across all disciplines in the Junior School, ensuring teachers’ continued growth as educators through ongoing professional development. She is responsible for academic programming and assessment practices for JK–7, and developed our English, CARE (character education) and learning support programs. Ciara serves on the school’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors, providing strategic insight on best educational practices and future trends. She is also a member of the school’s Building Committee, and led and managed the Upper Gym facility build, an 8,000 square-foot full-scale gymnasium completed in August 2018.
Prior to joining WPGA, Ciara taught at the Canadian International School in Hong Kong and in the West Vancouver public school system. She holds bachelor's degrees in history and primary education and has a Master of Educational Administration with a research component on assessment practices.
A member of the ISABC Pro-D Advisory Committee and CAIS National Forum Advisory Committee, she provides leadership in Foundations Skills Assessments (FSA) marking for ISABC, developed the Newly Qualified Teachers Program for ISABC, and creates provincial exemplars for the Ministry of Education.Ciara and her husband, Andrew, have a son, Ben ’21. -
Jason Parker
Head of Senior SchoolJason Parker joined WPGA in August 2019 as Head of Senior School. He has over 25 years’ experience as a teacher and senior administrator in independent and public schools, in Canada and internationally. Prior to WPGA, Jason was Deputy Head at Meadowridge School, a fellow ISABC and CAIS school in Maple Ridge, since 2013, and Principal at Abbotsford Traditional Middle School. He holds a Master of Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University, a Master of Multidisciplinary Studies from Buffalo State University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria. An active member of CAIS and CIS (Council of International Schools), in 2018 he was part of accreditation teams at Toronto French School (CAIS) and Colegio Fontana in Bogota, Columbia (CIS).
Jason models WPGA’s philosophy of inclusion, diversity and continuous learning. His focus is on student and staff voice and empowerment, with collaboration, strategy and clarity of direction as the basis for meaningful change. He is an educational leader in curriculum innovation, student achievement data, instructional standards and teacher development.
Jason and his wife, Nancy, have a son, Liam '26.
