Ciara Corcoran Bio

Ciara was among the first faculty members at West Point Grey Academy in 1996, hired before the school had opened its doors. Her vision and child-centered mission has been instrumental to the school’s success, creating a school environment rooted in attachment theory and the limitless potential of each individual child. Often, she refers to students as her North Star.
 
As Head of the Junior School, Ciara developed the school’s educational philosophy—fundamental to these principles is the high caliber of teaching. Ciara oversees teacher hiring across all disciplines in the Junior School, ensuring teachers’ continued growth through internal and external 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 practices and curriculum research. A member of the Board’s Building Committee, she led and managed the Upper Gym facility build, an 8,000-square foot gymnasium completed in 2018, as well as the Early Childhood Education Centre, fine and performing arts wing, visual arts room, STEM lab, Learning Commons, the Discovery and Reflection Studio, and the junior school playground.

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.

Ciara is a representative on the Federation of Independent Schools Association’s Early Learning and Childcare Committee and the Reconciliation and Equity in Action Project. She is a founding member of Independent Schools Association’s Professional Development Advisory and a mentor for new leaders. She served on the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools’ National Forum Advisory on Inspiring Excellence in Learning and assisted with the BC Principals Vice Principals Association Management Foundations Pilot and the Ministry of Education Foundation Skills Assessment. 

As a role model, Ciara hopes to inspire her students to be service minded and step into leadership and community initiatives as part of their growth. She believes that inclusive opportunities that allow children to share their voice are essential in a school environment, such as presenting at assemblies, monitoring younger students, and leading community outreach events. Ciara has lunch with grade 7 students regularly and meets with younger students often to explore their perspectives and ideas on enhancing the school experience, knowing that there is no limit to children’s brilliance and imagination.  

In March 2025, Ciara received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented by the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. This prestigious award recognized Ciara's 35-year career in education and her significant contributions to child development and curriculum research, which have positively impacted thousands of students—at WPGA, across Vancouver schools, and through education access initiatives in Africa. 

Ciara and her husband, Andrew, have a son who graduated from WPGA in 2021. 
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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.

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West Point Grey Academy

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