York House School – Annual Report

Annual Report

2023-24

A Year In Review

Creating Future-Ready Students

Last year included many achievements, not the least of which was the launch of our new strategic plan—Spark. Please read more here to see what parts of the plan have been implemented so far.

Human Capital and Unconventional Expertise

Guest Speakers and Experts

Broadening Perspectives

30 Guest speakers and experts to diversify voices and experiences that provoke deeper conversations about complex questions that broaden students’ perspectives.

Topics ranged from body science, social media, First People’s textiles, neurodiversity and tolerance, Indigenous plants, BIPOC representation in the film industry, composting, and sustainability and climate change.

Professional Learning

Faculty & Staff Professional Learning

140 Approved professional learning applications for 2023-24. Topics ranged from AI Education, Reggio-inspired Summer Institute, Truth and Reconciliation, Learning and the Brain, and Risk Management.

Professional Learning Speakers

Managing hopes and fears of children and parents, inclusivity, identity-consciousness and more:

Dr. Michael Thompson
Tanya Boteju, Faculty
Heather Morris
Chanelle Tye
Genny Lee, Principal of Senior School
Zuri Toppin ‘95, Faculty
Oliver MacDonald ‘16, Aria Druker ‘16 and Muhan Zhang ‘14

Research Grants

4 Research and Design teams with 24 faculty and staff to develop recommendations for our strategic priorities

Transformative Program
Dynamic Environment
Strategic Values & Life Skills
Human Capital & Dynamic Environment

2 Research Grants for faculty teams looking at student work placements and research internships

Transformational Program

Post Secondary Preparation

70% of the Class of 2024 received scholarships from post-secondary institutions

$930,000

in scholarship dollars offered to graduates

100% of applying students received an offer of admission to a post-secondary destination of their choice

396

Offers of admission from 92 world-class universities

Accepted to Canadian universities

Matriculated to US & International Universities

Gap Year (service, travel, or work)

Programs of Study

Class of 2024 University Destinations

Canada

Brock University – 1
Capilano University – 1
Emily Carr University of Art & Design – 1
Huron University – 3
McGill University – 10
McMaster University – 1
Queen’s University – 6
Simon Fraser University – 1
University of British Columbia – 13
University of Calgary – 1
University of King’s College – Halifax – 1
University of Ottawa – 1
University of Victoria – 5
University of Waterloo – 1

United States

Brown University – 1
Columbia University – 2
New York University – 1
Northwestern University – 1
University of California Berkeley – 1
University of California Irvine – 1
University of Michigan – 1
University of San Diego – 1
University of Southern California – 3

International

Oxford University – 1

Royal College of Surgeons Ireland – 2

New York University Shanghai – 1

Advanced Placement

90% of YHS students scored Level 3 or higher

Compared to 68% of global students.
Scores of Level 3 and above may qualify for university course credits.

Total number of students enrolled in AP in 2023-24: 112 students.
In almost all categories, YHS exceeded BC and Global AP results.
In Biology, Calculus, English, and Statistics we exceeded BC and Global scores by a significant margin.
YHS received Gold on the AP School Honor Roll. “The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success.” AP College Board

Enriched Academics and Life Skills

Foundational Skills Assessment Results

Every year, students in Grades 4 and 7 write the Foundational Student Assessment (FSA) in literacy and numeracy. The FSA is a learning assessment focusing on the areas of literacy and numeracy, and assesses how students think, communicate, and reflect on their learning.

Scores for Grades 4 and 7 far exceed the province and public’s scores.

When compared to other independent schools in BC, YHS scores are also higher across Grades 4 and 7 in both literacy and numeracy.

17 International and national exchanges and excursions

Exchanges with Australia and England
100+ students attended excursions to central Canada, Montreal, Spain, Seattle, and New York.

Senior School

211 of Senior School students participated in Outdoor Education experiences to Howe Sound, Alice Lake Provincial Park, Garibaldi National Park, Squamish, Red Heather Campground, and the Broken Group Islands.

Junior School

Junior School outdoor education experiences included Forest and Beach Days, Camp Fircom, YMCA Camp Elphinstone, Camp Summit, and Evans Lake Camp.

82 new participants

82 new participants in the academic year, with 167 students in total enrolled in the program.

44 have achieved their Awards

91% of students are involved in co-curriculars (not including music classes)

63% of students are involved in athletics

63%of students are involved in clubs or other activities

77% of students are involved in band or choir

Social-Emotional Health

"Caring and Welcoming"

York House participated in the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) Survey in March of 2024. The results were overwhelmingly positive, with the most common words students used to describe York House School:

“Caring and Welcoming”
“Family or Community”
“Fun”

(ICGS Student Survey, March 2024)

“Caring and Welcoming” was the most common category of words students used to describe York House School, followed by “Family or Community” and “Fun” – International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) Student Survey, March 2024.

4 / 5 Positive Perception

Student Perceptions of Teacher Care and Support

Teachers treat students with respect
Teachers think mistakes are okay
Teachers are willing to help students with homework
Teachers respect the opinions or beliefs of others even when different
Teachers think every student can be successful

(MDI Survey, Feb 2024)

84% Positive Experience

84% of students said they experience peer belonging and friendship intimacy, 6% higher than other ISABC schools (MDI Survey, Feb 2024)

75% Good Relationship

75% of students report a good relationship with an adult at school, in their neighbourhood or at home, which is 3% higher than other ISABC schools (MDI Survey, Feb 2024)

The Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) is a self-report questionnaire that asks children in middle childhood (Grades 4-8) about their thoughts, feelings and experiences. The survey provides data about our students compared to others in BC.

Dynamic Future

Reimagining Learning Spaces

The Caf Upgrade

The newly named Virginia Moore Mackay Dining Centre underwent a significant renovation. The layout, furnishings, fixtures, lighting and decor were modernized to enhance meal times and our students’ experience connecting over food.

Design Lab

The textiles room was transformed into a Design Lab where students can explore hands-on design and problem-solving. This new space encourages creativity and collaboration.

Gym Floor & Bleachers

We refurbished the gymnasium with a brand new floor and telescopic bleachers.

Playground

We upgraded the Junior School playground with a new play structure.

VR Headsets

Enhanced student learning with virtual reality headsets.

Pro-Scopes for the Junior School

Microscopes that turn an iPad camera into a digital microscope. Pro-scopes have been used in Junior Science and in the Atelier.

Microphones

Enhance school performances and musicals with new microphones.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Piloted YHS AI solutions for teaching and learning.

I knew that Spark meant more opportunities outside of the classroom. It's all about thinking outside of the box and all the new ways of learning that will get us prepared for what the future holds.

Lucy '25, Head Student

YHS Society Financial Summary

Total
Expenditures

Total
Revenues

Message from our Executive Director of Advancement & our YHS Foundation Chair

Nik Williams-Walshe & Margot Keate West '93

Giving Report

Participation in the Annual Giving Campaign, support for our learning spaces and donations to the YHS Foundation bring the community together each year. These contributions make a positive impact on the York House experience for all our students.

Funds Raised

$ 0

Total Funds Raised (including pledges)

$ 0

New donations to capital projects including pledges

$ 0

Annual Giving Campaign

$ 0

YHS Foundation Funds: total funds raised

$ 0

Alum Donations

$ 0

Gifts-in-Kind

Annual Giving Campaign

Snapshot 2023-24

Annual Giving Campaign

Number of Donors

Annual Giving Campaign Funds Raised

$ 0

Day of Giving 2023

Number of Donors

Day of Giving Funds Raised

$ 0

87% Current families participation increase of 6% to 81%

100% New families participation increase of 3% to 100%

100% Participation

Grade Challenge

Six grades received 100% participation – JK, SK, 1, 2, 3 and Grade 10