St. Anthony's School

St. Anthony’s School is a Catholic Elementary School located in West Vancouver, British Columbia, encompassing Kindergarten to Grade 7 with approximately 200 students.  It is a part of the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese and affiliated with the Catholic Parishes of St. Anthony’s and Christ the Redeemer.

Academic Program

Academic excellence is a vital part of the St. Anthony’s School philosophy.  The curriculum includes all topics required by the British Columbia Ministry of Education.  French, both written and oral, is taught in all grades.  Science includes class activities such as experiments in biology, dissection, chemistry, ecology and nutrition.  Social Studies integrates geography and history through discussion, research, project work and field trips.

Grade 7 students spend one week in the fall at Timberline Ranch, Maple Ridge, BC, where the core curriculum is enhanced by learning skills in inter-personal relationships, nature appreciation, arts and crafts, singing, and sports such as horse-back riding, swimming, canoeing, hiking and archery.

St. Anthony’s Student Centre is utilized by all students for computer science.  Teaching programs, writing and mathematical skills are incorporated into computer work.  Library material at St. Anthony’s School is computer catalogued and the West Vancouver Memorial Library may be assessed via computer.

Both enrichment material and learning assistance are available through a special needs teacher.  The dedicated staff makes every effort to guide and inspire each student to achieve his or her potential.

Report cards are provided three times during the year.  Personal interviews with parents are held at the end of the first term in November.  At any time throughout the year special parent-teacher/principal conferences may be arranged.

Religious Instruction

All students receive daily religious instruction and Holy Mass is celebrated in the school every Friday.  Students and teachers attend this celebration to worship and pray together as a family.  Parents are encouraged to attend Friday Mass.

Special school celebrations are held during Advent and Lent and at Christmas and Easter.  Children are able to participate as readers, altar boys, and in the school choir.

Grade 2 children celebrate the Sacraments of First Confession and First Holy Communion and Grade 7 students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Our students are always encouraged to demonstrate in speech and behaviour the Christian values upon which the school is founded.

Community Activities

St. Anthony’s students take part in many school outings to destinations such as the Aquarium, the Planetarium, the Art Gallery, Science World, the Museum of Anthropology, Lynn Valley Ecology Centre, Vanterm, Fort Langley and Burnaby Heritage Museum.  The school welcomes visits by groups such as the West Vancouver Fire Department, Opera in the Schools, Museum-mobile, Remembrance Day guest veterans, etc.  St. Anthony’s School participates in the annual West Vancouver Parade, community library events, and our Grade Seven students make monthly visits to senior citizens at Inglewood Lodge.

Fine Arts

Christmas PlayMulti-media art classes are taught in all grades with grades 4 to 7 supervised by a specialist art teacher.  Art projects such as paintings, graphic design, maps, models, pottery and sculpture are displayed throughout the school and submitted to art exhibitions and competitions in British Columbia. Students receive instruction in music theory and practice with a choral emphasis.  The highly regarded St. Anthony’s school choir is open to all students and participates in Masses, concerts and special celebrations.  Dramatic and musical productions are a highlight at St. Anthony’s School.  All students participate in Christmas concerts, pageants, plays and musicals such as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Scrooge and Virtue and Justice Triumph Again.  St. Anthony’s School has participated in the North Shore Catholic Schools Choir Festival, the Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee and classes take part in the Vancouver Catholic Schools, Coquitlam and Kiwanis Speech Arts and Music Festivals.

Sports and Recreation

St. Anthony’s School recognizes the coexistence of physical and mental well being.  All students take physical education and are encouraged to be active members of extracurricular teams or groups.  Our physical education specialist teacher instructs grades one to seven and offers extensive athletic opportunities: gymnastics, track and field, volleyball, basketball and badminton.

A Perceptual Physical Education evaluation program is carried out in Kindergarten to Grade 3.  Family Day provides students, parents and staff with an enjoyable day of games and sports.  School teams compete in Vancouver Catholic league games and tournaments are held with local public schools.

Parent Group

St. Anthony’s School Parent Group is involved in many school activities including our uniform committee, library management, weekly special lunches, fundraising, Fun Day, School Galas, and many other activities.  Our parents meet monthly and are a vital part of the tradition of family involvement at St. Anthony’s School.