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PSG - Career and Educational Guidance

CAREER AND EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE
 
WPGA is committed to helping students prepare for success in the next phases of their lives, helping them gain entry to the post-secondary programs of their choosing and giving them the skills to thrive beyond the classroom.  This requires top-notch academic and skill preparation, as well as individualized guidance along the way.  Steeped in the principles of Life Design, WPGA’s Career Education program helps students learn about themselves, make connections between their interests, values, and skills and the world of opportunity outside high school.  Each year, students are provided with the guidance needed to ensure smooth transitions through their years at WPGA and beyond.


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  • Grade 8

    • Integrated with PHE courses and the PEAKS program, Career Education 8 fosters self-assessment of and reflection on personal values and strengths.
    • Students are paired with Grade 12 “buddies” who serve as upper-division mentors through several events throughout the year.
    • Grade 8 students are introduced to the WPGA university counsellors who will give them suggestions on creating a strong personal profile for university applications in their senior year.
    Career Education 8 represents the initial steps into our Life Design program with an emphasis on Curiosity and Reframing.  In this year, we will help students to… 
    • Reframe their thinking by moving the conversation away from career titles and towards getting curious about problems they want to solve.
    • Learn more about themselves – their core values and personalities.
    • Participate in our annual Careers Week event where they will engage with interactive speaker panels.
    • Engage with WPGA university counsellors who will give them suggestions on creating a strong personal profile for university applications in their senior year.

  • Grade 9

    Career Education 9 will continue the Life Design journey, focusing on Empathizing and Flow.  In this year, we will help students to…

    • Participate in new experiences, such as clubs and sports, that match their interests and help them build strong university applicant profiles.
    • Engage in experiential career pathway investigation with Take Our Kids to Work Day – a nationwide event that encourages students to join the workplace of a parent or significant adult.  
    • Participate in our annual Careers Week event where they will engage with interactive speaker panels.
    • Work with the university counsellors to begin mapping their academic journeys.

  • Grade 10

    Career and Life Education (CLE) 10 will help students build on their experiences in Career Education 8 and Career Education 9.  As they move into the graduation program, CLE will continue the Life Design journey, moving students in the process of Ideation and Mind Mapping.  In this year, we will help students to…

    • Explore possibilities in the post-secondary world as they learn more about their identities and uncover individual passions.
    • Engage with universities around the world through participation in the CUE and VAIS university fairs, through the dozens of visits and workshops by various university representatives and through offered University Tour trips.
    • Begin working with the MaiaLearning platform to record their high school courses, build a resume, research universities and colleges and complete interest and personality surveys.
    • Develop a proactive course selection plan for their senior years through course selection assemblies. 
    • Participate in our Careers Week events where they will investigate potential career and post-secondary pathways by participating in small interactive workshops of their choosing led by community leaders and alumni.
    Begin working one-on-one with university counsellors through scheduled meetings and course selection reviews.

  • Grade 11

    Career Life Connections (CLC) 12 is a course spread over the final 2 years of a student’s life at WPGA.  In grade 11, students will begin the Life Design process of Prototyping, helping them move from ideation to action. To facilitate this, we will help students to…

    • Envision careers and education pathways as ‘experiments’ rather than ‘commitments to create a healthier approach to developing post-secondary pathways.
    • Continue using the Maia Learning Program for their program/faculty research as well as revisiting personality profiles, interest inventories, and core values.  
    • Prepare for PSAT exams that are written in October (scores available in December or earlier).  
    • Gain insight into their strengths and stretches when it comes to “college readiness”.
    • Engage with universities around the world through participation in the CUE and VAIS university fairs, through the dozens of visits and workshops by various university representatives and through offered University Tour trips.
    • Participate in our Careers Week events where they will investigate potential career and post-secondary pathways by participating in small interactive workshops of their choosing led by community leaders and alumni.
    • Learn about USA and International options and timelines through information sessions held in the Spring
    • Develop a thoughtful approach, through individual meetings with university counsellors, to course selection and pathway planning that takes into consideration personal interest and post-secondary options.
    • Learn about potential summer school and summer experience options.

  • Grade 12

    Career Life Connections (CLC) continues as students enter their final year at WPGA.  This final year will help students enter the Odyssey Planning and Wayfinding phase of the Life Design process as they prepare for the next steps in their journey.  In this year, we will help students to…

    • Work through the entire university and college application process through weekly university planning seminar blocks led by the university counsellors as well as one-on-one meetings with their assigned counsellors. (More information on this is below this section).
    • Use the Maia Learning platform to track and engage with the university and college application process.  
    • Engage with universities around the world through participation in the CUE and VAIS university fairs and through the dozens of visits and workshops by various university representatives.
    • Complete the SAT or ACT exams in either October or November.
    • Determine, manage, and meet various application deadlines.
    • Prepare for various aspects of the university and college application process, including preparation for interviews, accumulation of portfolio elements, and creating supplemental essays.
    • Find and apply for various scholarships.
    • Complete their transcript requests through the BC Student Transcript Service which authorizes the Ministry to send final marks and transcripts to schools they are applying for.
    • Complete the Capstone Project in the last half of the year, which involves choosing a topic, completing research, and working with a mentor to create a presentation which will be delivered to an audience.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

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  • Canadian Universities Event (CUE)

     
    All students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 will participate in the Canadian Universities Event (CUE) each fall in WPGA’s gymnasium or sometimes at another local independent school.  This event is key to exploring the Canadian university options available, requirements for entrance, and an opportunity to ask questions to the admissions representatives present.  This event is open to both students and parents. Dates to be announced in late spring or early fall.
     

  • Careers Week

    Students are invited to hear from industry professionals about their career and educational paths in concurrent morning sessions.  Drawn from our parent body and friends of WPGA, presenters give a firsthand account of the roles of skill, hard work, luck, risk tolerance, adaptability, teamwork, creativity and numerous other factors in career development and success.  Potential presenters are encouraged to contact Mr. O’Donnell.

  • Pathways Program

    Students in grades 10-12 are invited to apply for short, experiential work placements and job shadows throughout the year.  These placements are specific to the needs of the individual student and offer a fantastic way for students to begin exploring potential careers and educational pathways.  For more information on this program, please see the “Pathways” section below under “Enriched Experiences”.

  • PSI Seminar Blocks

    Grade 12 Advisory will incorporate seminar blocks to focus on university application and transition.   The following topics are covered in the Seminar Blocks:

    • Understanding the post-secondary application process
    • Maia Learning introduction & its usage
    • Choosing a program
    • Deciding where to attend
    • Introduction of educationplannerbc.ca, ouac.on.ca, commonapp.com, www.ucas.org
    • Completing the online Student Transcript Service request
    • Completing the self-reporting of grades forms online
    • Help with resume writing, personal statements, statement of activities, essays
    • Proofreading of statements & profiles
    • Provide video interview tips & strategies sessions (Commerce/Engineering applicants)
    • Scholarship opportunities and support
    • Some seminar blocks are used for individual time with a university counsellor.

  • The Vancouver Global University Fair

    This event is geared towards students in grades 9, 10 & 11 and is the largest university fair held in British Columbia. University representatives  from Canada, United States, UK, Australia, Ireland, Europe, Hong Kong and Japan are in attendance for students and parents to meet.  During the event there are also specific presentations for students & parents to learn and be more informed when the application process commences. We highly encourage all students/families to attend this event. The 2026 event is being held on Saturday, April 25 from 1:00-4:00 PM at Langara College (TBC).

  • Vancouver Area Independent School Fair (VAIS)

    Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 who are considering applying to the United States for college/university must participate in the VAIS Fair each Fall.  Approximately 75 US colleges attend and spend time with students and parents answering specific questions about their institution.  This is an excellent opportunity to get face to face with US college admissions representatives on our campus.  This year’s VAIS fair is being held on Thursday, October 8, 2026 , in the WPGA gymnasium.


SUPPORT AT WPGA

SUPPORT SERVICES
 
At WPGA, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We know that when wellbeing is prioritized, the quality of learning, teaching, and overall enjoyment in life improves. With this in mind, counselling services are available to all students and families when there are barriers, life circumstances, and struggles that are getting in the way.
 
WPGA has a full-time team of four dedicated counsellors, two in Junior School and two in Senior School, who offer safe, confidential spaces for students to address their academic, emotional, and personal challenges. Whether navigating the pressures of academic achievement, making tough decisions, or managing personal or family stresses, our counsellors offer personalized compassionate care and genuine support to help students thrive. Counsellors offer a range of other services in addition to one-on-one counselling sessions. These services include hosting parent education sessions, facilitating group workshops and in-class presentations, liaising with and referrals to outside service providers, and publishing informational newsletters
LEARNING SUPPORT

West Point Grey Academy offers a rigorous academic program and students must work hard to meet their academic potential. At times, students may experience difficulties with the learning process. WPGA’s dedicated teaching staff provides regular, flexibly scheduled assistance outside of class time to students enrolled in their classes; however, situations arise where additional learning support may be key to students’ success. In such cases, the school may recommend that the student receive dedicated support through The Study.
 

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  • The Study

    The Study provides academic support to students in the senior school as well as a space for students to work, study, write tests and ask questions. Scheduling and space allocation priority are given to those students formally identified with learning differences by a certified Educational Psychologist as outlined in an Individualized. The Study is an inclusive environment where all students are encouraged to develop, challenge and enrich their academic skills. It is the goal of The Study to provide a positive and caring environment to assist students in reaching their academic potential in collaboration with classroom teachers and the school community.

    One-on-one tutor support during a student's supervised support block is available to families through The Study for an added fee, with priority extended to students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

  • Library Learning Commons

    The Library Learning Commons (LLC), located on the lower level beside the Study, is open daily from before the first bell until after school. It provides print and digital resources to support the academic and personal needs of students and faculty, as well as an inviting, well-equipped space for individual study and collaborative work. Print materials are available to borrow, and digital resources and academic databases can be accessed through WolfNet or via our website at wpga.ca/library.
     
    Teacher-librarians collaborate with faculty to design and deliver curriculum that develops students’ research skills and their digital and information literacies, preparing them for success in rigorous postsecondary studies.  For more information, contact the Head of the Senior Library Learning Commons, Michael Brough, at mbrough@wpga.ca, or Learning Specialist, Marney Rosen, at mrosen@wpga.ca.

  • S-Block

    S-Block is a program that takes place Monday to Thursday afternoon from 3:30 to 4:30 in The Study. S-Block provides a time and place for students to study, as well as, receive assistance with their assigned homework and support with their organizational and time management skills and academic workload. Attendance in the S-Block program may be student or teacher initiated and is supervised by The Study teachers/tutors.

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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