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Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School

Canada, North Vancouver

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$37,720 - 38,490
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1973
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, SEN focussed
Typical class size 3
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School is an independent, BC curriculum based school for students who benefit from personalized support and a neurodiversity aware learning environment. Located on a tree lined campus by Seymour River in North Vancouver, the school emphasizes small classes and individualized instruction under British Columbia Ministry of Education framework. Universal Design for Learning guides teaching, with Orton-Gillingham literacy support ensuring reading and writing approaches meet each learner's strengths. A student services team includes an Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Developmental Specialist, and counsellors, providing integrated supports throughout the day. The school offers Dogwood Certificate graduation and leverages partnerships with Emily Carr University of Art and Design and Maplewood Farms for real-world learning. An expanding Makerspace and ADST program delivers hands-on design and technology experiences, while outdoor education and a bus program extend opportunities beyond the classroom. The culture values curiosity, resilience, and collaborative problem solving every day at KGMS.

420 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7J 1S8, Canada

The Essentials

Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School has typical class sizes of 3, instruction in English.

Location
KGMS is located at 420 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1S8, Canada. The campus sits on the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Stages
K–12 with Junior (Kindergarten–Grade 6), Middle (Grades 7–9), and Senior (Grades 10–12).

Type
Independent school.

Additional learning support
In-house specialists include an Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, and Developmental Specialist, with daily individualized instruction and literacy supports (including Orton-Gillingham-based literacy).

Country affiliation
Canada

Bus service
Yes. KGMS partners with a local bus provider to offer morning and afternoon transportation on select routes. Routes and availability are reviewed each year based on demand.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform. Kindergarten through Grade 6 wear white or navy polo shirts (long or short sleeve) and navy/khaki pants, shorts, skorts or jumper; KGMS hoodie or logo apparel is available through the office. For Physical Education, students wear a white or navy T‑shirt with navy sweatpants or shorts; hats are permitted outdoors but not worn inside.

Food Options
The school has a Hot Lunch program. Lunch orders are placed through MunchaLunch (the school's hot lunch ordering is managed via MunchaLunch).

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Directors. It is a registered charitable trust. Funding comes from tuition, a provincial government grant for independent schools, and charitable giving.
Fees

Annual tuition at Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School ranges from CAD 37,720 to CAD 38,490 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- A non-refundable application fee applies when submitting an application. For the 2026–27 admission cycle the fee schedule shows differing amounts by application round: Early Admissions: USD/ CAD 300; Regular Admissions: USD/ CAD 350.

Tuition fees (by year group)

- Kindergarten to Grade 7: CAD 37,720 per year (annual tuition).
- Grades 8 to 12: CAD 38,490 per year (annual tuition).

Per‑installment / per‑billing illustration

- Families may choose an installment plan that spreads the annual tuition across ten equal installments; therefore, a ten‑installment payment would equal the annual tuition divided by ten. This ten‑installment billing option is an available payment arrangement. (Example calculation is a direct division of the published annual tuition; the school offers ten installments as a payment option.)

Mandatory and one‑time fees (charged in addition to tuition)

- School / Course Supplies Fee: K–7: CAD 300; Grades 8–12: CAD 600.
- Technology Fee: CAD 300.
- Activity Enhancement Fee: CAD 500.
- New Student Registration Fee (one‑time at entry): CAD 600.
- Volunteer Commitment Deposit: CAD 500 (refundable if the family completes the stated volunteer hours commitment). A refundable $500 deposit is required each year upon registration; it will be refunded if the volunteer hour commitment is met.

Transportation / bus fees (optional)

- Full‑time (AM & PM route): CAD 422 per month.
- Part‑time (one‑way): CAD 211 per month.
- Occasional (AM/PM day rate): CAD 13 per day.

Uniforms and ordering

- K–7 students wear the school uniform (navy pants/skirts/jumpers and white or navy polos/blouses). Grade 8–12 students are not required to wear the uniform. Official uniform items can be ordered using the school's order form; families are not required to purchase the official uniform. No blanket uniform price is published in the fee materials.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- A non-refundable deposit is payable upon acceptance of an offer of admission; the deposit is generally due within two weeks of the offer and, upon receipt, the student is enrolled and the family assumes responsibility for full tuition. Tuition fees are due after an offer of admission has been made; all dates and payments must be met to secure placement. Families may pay tuition in ten installments following the published tuition schedule; options fees may be paid in full upon acceptance or by arrangement.

Refunds and withdrawal policy

- Cancellation of an accepted placement results in the loss of any fees paid to that point; accepted placements require written notification to cancel. If a family withdraws or a student is dismissed before the end of the school year, all tuition for the entire year becomes immediately due and payable and fees already paid are non‑refundable. The volunteer deposit is refundable if the volunteer hours requirement is met.

Other notes on incidental fees and payment handling

- Certain incidental or grade‑specific charges (for example extracurricular activities, field trips, specialized assessments or materials) may be billed separately from tuition and may be required at enrollment or billed with the first installment. Agreements where a third party (for example a grandparent) pays fees do not release the parents/guardians from financial responsibility to the school. Installment arrangements and options for payment timing are administered through the school's billing procedures.
Academics

Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School teaches Canadian Curriculum, SEN focussed.

Curriculum
KGMS follows the British Columbia Ministry of Education curriculum, adapted to each student's strengths and learning needs using Universal Design for Learning. All educators use Orton-Gillingham methodologies to tailor instruction for every learner, with an integrated student services approach that builds the tools and confidence to learn.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average educator-to-student ratio is 1:3. Class sizes are intentionally small to allow individualized support; exact numbers vary by grade and program.

Higher Education Progression
KGMS graduates are prepared for post-secondary education. Students develop individualized transition goals after high school, including university or college, certification programs, or work. Career Life Connections explores post-secondary options and includes visits to local universities and colleges and assessment of prerequisites for future programs. Graduation is by the BC Dogwood Diploma with 80 credits across Grades 10–12 (52 required, 28 elective; 16 of the credits must be from Grade 12; Indigenous-focused course options).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school places a major emphasis on Social-Emotional Learning to help students with social interactions and understanding the social world. Through explicit modelling, prompting and one-on-one guidance, students are given an opportunity to explore relationships with their peers, raise their self-confidence and improve interpersonal skills. Our professional counsellors also help students reflect on issues like bullying, body image, and healthy living.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
KGMS is a K–12 independent school dedicated to neurodiverse learners. In-house specialists include Occupational Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Developmental Specialist, counselling, and learning support.

Mental Wellbeing
Social-emotional learning is embedded across the school; teachers explicitly teach skills such as self-advocacy, emotional regulation, problem-solving and healthy relationships. Our counsellors and support team provide additional 1:1 and small-group support to foster a safe, connected and capable environment.

Safeguarding
KGMS has a Child Protection Sexual Abuse Policy. Employees have a legal duty to safeguard students from harm and to report suspected abuse to a child protection social worker. The school cooperates with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the police in investigations and maintains procedures to safeguard student safety and confidentiality.
Parent Experience

History
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School was founded in 1973 by Ann Rushforth and named after her son who had trouble progressing in public school. She began tutoring sessions in Burnaby, which led to the Burnaby campus opening in 1980 and designation as a Group 1 Independent School. After the Burnaby lease expired, KGMS moved to the North Shore in 2012, and the school grew with a building expansion and its first official graduating class in 2016.

Community
The KGMS campus is located near the Seymour River in North Vancouver, about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, on a tree-lined acreage beneath Mount Seymour, with a bus program to ease commuting. KGMS engages in community partnerships with Maplewood Farms for experiential learning, Emily Carr University of Art and Design for shared learning experiences, and Ron Andrews Community Recreation Centre to support fitness, health and access to community resources. KGMS students are often recognized for their community contributions across local media. We acknowledge the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Coast Salish nations Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh).

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The KGMS Parent Association (PA) includes all KGMS parents and guardians as members. The Planning Group is a core group of volunteer parents/guardians who oversee activities, planning and finances for the PA, with members serving one-year terms to lead events. The PA organizes events and fundraising and aims to strengthen KGMS's sense of community through parent engagement and volunteering. Parents volunteer through the OnVolunteers platform, and the KGMS Policy Manual includes a Parent Association Policy.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The KGMS campus is located at 420 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1S8, about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver. It sits on an expansive tree-lined acreage beside the Seymour River, beneath Mount Seymour, with spaces that cater to the sensory needs of neurodiverse learners. The campus is designed to provide outdoor learning opportunities and a calm, engaging environment. A bus program supports commuting for families from outside North Vancouver.

Sports Facilities
Senior students have access to fitness and conditioning programs at the Ron Andrews Community Recreation Centre.

Academic Facilities
KGMS operates with a low student-to-educator ratio to support individualized instruction. The BC prescribed curriculum is followed, and students have the opportunity to graduate with a Dogwood Certificate. In-house specialists provide student services, including an Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Developmental Specialist, and counsellors, along with Orton-Gillingham literacy tutoring. A future Makerspace and ADST program are being developed with donor support to offer hands-on, design-focused learning. Partnerships with Emily Carr University of Art and Design and Maplewood Farms enrich academic experiences and provide shared learning opportunities. Outdoor Education is offered in the Senior School (grades 11–12).

Extra Curricular Facilities
A Makerspace and ADST program provide hands-on, project-based opportunities beyond traditional instruction. Partnerships with Maplewood Farms and Emily Carr University of Art and Design offer experiential learning experiences beyond the classroom.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Maplewood Farms provides students with opportunities for experiential learning through KGMS's annual membership. Professionals bring their expertise to KGMS, enhancing Arts, Technology and Applied Skills programs. The North Vancouver campus is served by a bus program that makes commuting convenient for students from outside the area.

Arts & Creative
Emily Carr University of Art and Design brings its skills and experience to KGMS through shared learning experiences. KGMS actively engages in partnerships to enhance Arts programs. These collaborations provide students with real-world artistic learning opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Ron Andrews Community Recreation Centre provides senior students the opportunity to learn fitness and conditioning, and to access community resources. This partnership supports health and wellness as part of a balanced lifestyle. The campus location near the Seymour River in North Vancouver supports outdoor and wellbeing opportunities.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit an Inquiry. Begin by contacting KGMS through the Inquiry Form. The Admissions team will follow up to answer initial questions and learn more about the child's learning needs. For the 2026027 school year, KGMS uses rolling admissions, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis while space remains available; families are encouraged to complete an inquiry form or book a school tour to learn more.

2. Book a School Tour or Attend an Open House. After submitting an inquiry, book a personalized school tour to explore the campus, meet members of the team, and learn more about the programs and individualized approach. Open House events provide additional opportunities to engage with KGMS staff and learn about the school's offerings.

3. Submit an Online Application. Ready to move forward? Complete the online application form to begin the formal admissions process. Upload the following documents with the application: psycho-educational assessment or diagnostic report; most recent report card (include the June report from the prior school year); current IEPs or student learning plans; additional specialist reports (e.g., occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, pediatric reports). A one-time, non-refundable application fee is required, and KGMS cannot begin reviewing the file until the fee is received.

4. Application Review. The Admissions team will review the completed file and will reach out if any additional documentation is needed.

5. Student Visit Opportunity. If the file suggests a good fit, KGMS will arrange for the student to spend time at the school to participate in class, meet peers and teachers, and experience life at KGMS.

6. Parent Meeting. A meeting with the Director of Admissions or Head of School is held to discuss the child's strengths and challenges and how KGMS can support growth.

7. Admissions Decision. Following the visit and meeting, KGMS follows up with an admissions decision and provides guidance on the next steps for enrollment.

Scholarships
KGMS offers a Bursary Program that provides limited tuition assistance based on demonstrated financial need. The financial aid process works in three steps: 1) Apply for Admission; 2) Submit a Financial Aid Application; 3) Review the Tuition Structure. Apple Financial Services evaluates the application and provides a recommendation to the KGMS Bursary Committee. The deadline for Bursary Applications is May 17, 2026, for September 2026 enrollment. In addition to the bursary, families may access other forms of financial support, including the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the Child Disability Benefit (CDB), Autism Funding, and external grants such as the CKNW Kids' Fund (up to $1,500) and Variety—the Children's Charity (up to $4,000). KGMS is a non-profit society and encourages families to explore what is possible.
School Events
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