Academics

Junior School

List of 2 items.

  • 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.
     
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  • Junior School Leadership Team

    Ciara Corcoran, Head of Junior School 
    Sarah Fast, Assistant Head of Junior School 
    Karen Melville, Vice Principal, Instruction 
    Alex Ross, Vice Principal, Learning 
    Warren Lee, Vice Principal, Student Life

CIARA CORCORAN 
Head of Junior School 

Welcome to the Junior School!

We are delighted to have you peruse our website to explore the programs and people that make WPGA’ s Junior School so special. As one of the first K-12 schools in British Columbia to implement attachment theory principles and growth mindset practices into our educational philosophy, we pride ourselves on deep, meaningful relationships with our students and their families. Our culture of care is rooted in educational research and forms the foundation of exceptional learning: when children are known and loved, they thrive—their minds and hearts equipped with the confidence to challenge the limitless boundaries of learning in a safe, supportive environment.  

From our littlest learners in JK to our grade 7 graduates, every student is provided with leadership opportunities and the encouragement to nurture their interests and passions, from music and art to science, debate, languages and athletics—the options seem nearly endless! Whether collaborating in the classroom, lab, studio, library or on our beautiful lands, students unearth their innate curiosity to develop their critical-thinking skills, which are crucial to their learning and academic growth.

The curriculum integrates both practical and conceptual knowledge, designed to build children’s capacity and momentum each year throughout their Junior School journey. Our teachers are experts in the field of elementary education, and each one makes a remarkable positive impact every day in the lives of our learners, who are our North Star for all we do at WPGA.  

 


   

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  • Promoting a Growth Mindset in Children

    By Ms. Ciara Corcoran, Head of Junior School 

    As we navigate moving past the technology era and into the conceptual era, educators must be versed in what is purposeful for students as they pursue their educational journey. At WPGA, we teach and work from a growth mindset—this mindset is one of our school’s core principles and how we coach our teachers to guide their students. Educators, including those at WPGA, often reference Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset, which Dweck describes as the underlying belief that you can always learn and develop new skills. This leads to not only developments in the brain but also the inner capacity to adapt to change easily and to bounce back quickly from failure, i.e. adaptability and resilience. A growth mindset, which rewards effort and process, is at the heart of what every parent wants for their child: a passion for lifelong learning.

    The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset. When we take a fixed approach to learning, we are no longer curious and dynamic. We avoid challenges, give up easily, feel defeated by setbacks, and interpret constructive feedback as negative. For example, a child with a fixed mindset would approach a creative writing assignment with the outlook that they aren’t good at writing and wouldn’t score well on the assignment, and as a result would give up or not put effort into the assignment. The lack of belief in their abilities is reflected in a lack of achievement, which leads to decreased motivation—this negative cycle continues.   
     
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More to explore

Discover more about the Junior School experience, from the learning and milestones that shape each grade to the programs, spaces, and traditions that bring our community to life. Across every stage, students are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, explore new ideas, take meaningful risks, and grow in confidence alongside their peers.
Explore the pages below to see how curiosity, connection, creativity, and joy are woven into each student’s journey through the Junior School

Junior School Leadership Team

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Sarah Fast

    Sarah Fast 

    Assistant Head of Junior School
  • Photo of Alex Ross

    Alex Ross 

    JS Director of Learning
  • Photo of Karen Melville

    Karen Melville 

    JS Director of Learning
  • Photo of Warren Lee

    Warren Lee 

    Vice Principal of Student Life JS

Beyond the Classroom

Explore, contribute
and connect

Life in the Junior School extends well beyond the classroom. Through clubs and service opportunities, students are encouraged to explore their interests, try new things and build meaningful connections with their peers and community.

These experiences create space for curiosity, creativity and growing independence, while helping students discover how their ideas and actions can make a positive difference.

Explore Clubs Explore Service


   

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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