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Lowell High School

Canada, Vancouver

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$20,400 - 25,900
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum
Taught languages English, Mandarin, French, Spanish
Typical class size 11
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Lowell High School sits in downtown Vancouver and offers a clear path to post-secondary study. The school delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Grades 11-12 alongside the British Columbia Graduation Program for Grades 10-12, enabling an internationally focused two-year curriculum while meeting local graduation requirements. Small class sizes and BC-certified, IB-trained teachers support personalized learning in a campus that includes 7,000 square feet of dedicated learning, studying, and socializing space. The Diploma Programme provides rigorous, globally connected content with a strong emphasis on inquiry and university preparation. A Pathway Program helps students earn BC graduation credits through carefully managed coursework. Lowell is accredited by the BC Ministry of Education and is an associate member of the Federation of Independent School Associations. Beyond academics, field trips, arts programs, and student-led clubs foster creativity, wellbeing, service, and real-world skills. Field trips to nature centers, museums, and local sites enhance learning experiences.

#210 6 - 750 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6B 2R5

The Essentials

Lowell High School has typical class sizes of 11, instruction in English.

Location

Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Address: 210-750 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2R5.

Stages

Grades 10–12. BC Graduation Program for grades 10–12 and the Diploma Programme (DP) of the International Baccalaureate for grades 11–12.

Type

Independent high school; IB World School.

Country affiliation

Canada
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

The Lowell Homestay Program offers international students the opportunity to live with local families while they are studying at Lowell High School. Host families provide a safe, nurturing, English-speaking environment at a relatively affordable price. Host parents look out for the students' best interests and help them stay safe and healthy and encourage them in their schoolwork. Students have their own room with a study area, and meals are provided as part of the homestay.

Food Options

Three meals per day are provided through the homestay program.

Governance and Ownership

Lowell High School operates as an independent school in British Columbia. It complies with the Independent School Act Bonding Regulations and is bonded by the BC Ministry of Education. It is a member of the CBCIS international schools network.
Fees

Annual tuition at Lowell High School ranges from CAD 20,400 to CAD 25,900 for 2026/27.

Application Fee

- A one-time, non-refundable application fee of CAD 300 is required at the time of application.

Tuition fees (by student type / programme)

- IB Diploma Programme — Domestic students: Tuition CAD 15,500 per academic year. Consolidated Fees CAD 4,600 per academic year (School Supplies & Facilities fee CAD 1,900; Extracurricular & Activity Service Fee CAD 2,700). Total for domestic IB students listed as CAD 20,400.

- IB Diploma Programme — International students (example year listing): Tuition CAD 21,000 per academic year; Consolidated Fees CAD 4,600; Total program charge CAD 25,900 (this reflects the published international-student fee schedule shown for the 2025 listing). Additional international-specific charge (where shown separately) is CAD 4,000 in some fee schedules.

- Grade-level / year-group note: The school publishes tuition by programme and by domestic vs international student category rather than separate tuition amounts for Grades 10, 11, and 12; the IB Diploma Programme and BC Dogwood (high-school diploma) tuition figures above apply to the applicable senior high programme.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- An official tuition invoice is issued after acceptance. To confirm placement, school fee payments (tuition deposit or required payments on the invoice) must be submitted within ten (10) days of issuance. The tuition fee must be paid by the specified deadline in the invoice in order to secure the student's place.

- The school operates on a semester calendar (first semester and subsequent semesters); refund and withdrawal rules reference the start of the first semester. Parents/guardians are required to follow the invoice deadlines for deposits and remaining balances.

Boarding / Accommodation (Homestay) fees

- There is no on-campus boarding; a Homestay program is provided for international students through the school's homestay arrangements. Homestay fees are published as a weekly rate, starting at CAD 500 per week (full board). Custodianship and homestay placement services are available and may incur separate charges (custodian documentation fee CAD 500 where applicable). Airport pick-up is published as an additional, per-trip fee (example: CAD 150).

Other costs and fees (examples and typical items)

- Consolidated Fees (see above) typically cover school supplies, facilities and extracurricular activity services. Consolidated Fees are shown as CAD 4,600 per year in published schedules.

- IB examination fees for Grade 12 are charged by the IB Organization in addition to school tuition; approximate IB exam fees are listed at around CAD 1,300 (actual cost depends on the number of exams taken).

- Uniforms: Uniforms are required and the basic uniform package cost is shown at approximately CAD 650.

- Student support / service fees: Example item shown as CAD 2,700 (may appear in consolidated or as a separate optional/mandatory support-service fee depending on the published schedule).

- Contingency / deposit: Example refundable contingency deposit shown as CAD 200. Medical insurance examples are shown at CAD 400. Transportation (Compass Card) example fee CAD 740. These and other optional fees (tutoring, trips, workshops, optional excursions) are listed as additional costs.

Refund information

- General refund rules for tuition: 1/2 of prepaid tuition will be refunded if a student withdraws prior to the start of the first semester. If a student withdraws within one week from the start of the first semester, 1/3 of prepaid tuition will be refunded. No refund is granted for withdrawals after one week from the start of the first semester (with stated exceptions).

- International-student visa refusal: A full refund of prepaid tuition, minus a processing fee (example: CAD 600), is issued to an international student whose study-visa application is rejected, provided the original embassy rejection letter and required refund request documentation are submitted.

- No refund conditions: No refund is granted for students expelled for disciplinary reasons, for students who withdraw after the one-week period following the first semester start, for students providing false information, or for certain other specified circumstances. Refunds are issued via the original payment method and are subject to an administration fee.

Fee payment options and transaction charges

- Accepted payment methods include bank drafts addressed to LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL INC., bank transfers (international wire transfers may incur an additional bank charge, example shown as CAD 50), credit card payments (credit-card payments are accepted but are subject to a transaction fee — example shown as 3.6%), and third-party e-pay methods such as AliPay / WeChat Pay (example transaction fee shown as 1%). Bank account details for wire transfers and instructions are provided on the school's payment forms.

Notes on typical billing items and timing

- Application fee (CAD 300) is payable with the application submission. An invoice is issued on acceptance and payment within ten days confirms the spot. Consolidated fees are charged annually alongside tuition in the published schedules. Certain items (IB exam fees, homestay, airport transfer, optional excursions) are charged separately as they occur. Refunds follow the school's documented refund policy and may be subject to administrative or processing fees.
Academics

Lowell High School teaches IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum.

Curriculum

Lowell High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12 and the British Columbia Graduation Program for Grades 10–12. The DP provides a two-year, internationally focused curriculum with six subject groups and core components. The BC Dogwood Graduation Program requires at least 80 credits, including 52 required and 28 elective credits, with at least 16 credits at Grade 12. The Pathway Program assists students in earning BC graduation credits, with specific credit limits. Small class sizes and BC-certified, IB-trained teachers support learning.

Student Teacher Ratio

Approx. 10:1

Exam Results

University/College Admission Rate: 100%

Higher Education Progression

Graduates receive offers from universities around the world.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Lowell High School supports social and emotional learning through its character-driven culture, which emphasizes empathy and integrity in daily conduct. The Vision describes graduates who are engaged, innovative, and compassionate, guiding interactions with others. The Values reinforce belonging and community spirit, with a focus on balancing academics, athletics, arts, and social life to support well-being. The school emphasizes global awareness, inquiry, and collaboration as part of student development. The environment is intentionally balanced to foster healthy social engagement and personal growth. These elements underpin everyday interactions, student life, and programs that nurture students' social-emotional development.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Lowell High School provides inclusive education with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for students identified with special needs. Inclusion means equitable access to learning and meaningful participation, with supports determined on an individual basis. An IEP is developed—typically in fall—with goals that reflect each student's strengths and growth areas and with parental and student involvement; in some cases the plan may involve external specialists. Adaptations occur through differentiated instruction, assistive technology, and alternative assessment approaches as outlined in the IEP. The policy emphasizes ongoing collaboration among home, school staff, and the student advisor, and requires progress reporting and annual reviews.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Lowell High School requires an adequate level of English proficiency to participate and succeed in the learning process. The Admissions Policy states that applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of English to participate in the learning process. This standard applies to both internal and external candidates applying to Lowell High School programmes.

Mental Wellbeing

Lowell High School offers a safe, nurturing English-speaking homestay environment for international students. Host families support students' safety, health, and academic success. The homestay environment helps students improve their English through daily interaction with host families. Lowell High School has an excellent team of advisors who communicate with students to monitor their academic and personal success. The program provides information on health and safety resources, including the BC Helpline for Children, Kids Help Phone, and the Kelty Mental Health Resource Center.

Safeguarding

ERASE Report It Tool provides a secure online service that allows students to send an anonymous and confidential message about worrisome or concerning issues. The tool lists a range of reportable concerns, including Bullying/Cyberbullying, Harassment, Mental Health Concern, Suicide, and other safety issues. The service guides users through a series of questions to share information and to request assistance. Lowell High School uses ERASE to support a safe, inclusive, and caring school community.
Parent Experience

Community

Lowell High School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and a university preparatory school located in downtown Vancouver. It offers the Diploma Programme (DP) for grades 11-12 and the BC Graduation Program for grades 10-12. The school is accredited by the BC Ministry of Education and is an associate member of the Federation of Independent School Associations, welcoming students from around the world. A homestay program is offered to support international students; brochures are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean; the student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 10:1 and teachers are BC-certified and IB-trained.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The school has 7,000 square feet of learning, studying, and socializing space.

Academic Facilities

The school offers the Diploma Programme (DP) for grades 11-12 and the British Columbia Graduation Program for grades 10-12. The IB provides an internationally standardized, enriched curriculum that includes first-year university concepts and materials. Lowell High School is accredited by the BC Ministry of Education and is an associate member of the Federation of Independent School Associations.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Field trips enhance coursework with trips to nature centers, museums and other local sites around the Lower Mainland. Clubs and outdoor activities include student-led clubs and outdoor events designed to develop life skills and well-being. Community engagement activities involve students in empathetic, innovative service within and beyond the classroom. Arts programs encourage creativity, self-expression, and critical thinking through student art.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Field trips enhance courses by connecting classroom learning with real-world settings around the Lower Mainland. Field trip sites may include nature centers, local businesses, museums, and amusement parks. These experiences allow students to apply classroom concepts and reflect on their learning. Field trips support experiential learning as part of Lowell High School's approach to education.

Arts & Creative

Arts at Lowell High School encourages students to create art to nurture creativity, self-expression, and critical thinking. This work helps students develop technical skills and a deeper understanding of the world. It also aims to build confidence and foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Social & Hobbies

Clubs and Outdoor Activities provide essential life skills. They give students opportunities to unplug from daily routines and engage in experiences that support well-being. Students identify, apply, and reflect on strategies that enhance and maintain their well-being. These activities also promote teamwork and social connections outside the classroom.

Community & Service

Community Engagement emphasizes empathy and integrity in actions. Students participate in activities that are engaged, innovative, and compassionate within and beyond the classroom. The program encourages community-minded service, collaboration, and social responsibility.

Leadership & Professional

Activities are designed to develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills. The goal is for students to utilize their talents and exercise their leadership abilities in real-life situations. Students gain leadership experience through participating in clubs, student activities, and community projects. Lowell High School prepares students for post-secondary education and professional settings.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Clubs and Outdoor Activities support students' well-being by providing opportunities for physical activity and reflective practice. Field trips broaden horizons and provide context beyond the classroom, contributing to balanced well-being. These experiences encourage balance between academics and personal growth. Lowell High School fosters a safe, inclusive environment that supports students' social and emotional well-being.
Languages

Language Provision

Brochures are available in multiple languages.
Admissions

Admissions

Step 1: Complete and Submit an Application Form. The Application Form must be filled out by a parent or legal guardian if the student is under 19. Submit the Application form along with the non-refundable application fee of $300 to admissions@lowellhighschool.ca. Step 2: Submit supporting documentation. Provide a passport, official transcript or report card for at least the last two years, a one-page personal statement describing the student's qualities and goals, a digital passport-size photo, medical insurance policy if applicable, a custodian declaration form if applicable, and a study permit if applicable. Step 3: Attend an admission interview. After reviewing the application, the Admissions Office will reach out to schedule a student interview. Step 4: Welcome Package. Accepted students will receive a welcome package and their fee schedule for the school year. Step 5: Tuition Fee Payment. The tuition fee must be paid prior to the specified deadline in order to secure a spot in the accepted grade. Step 6: Letter of Acceptance. For international students, a Letter of Acceptance will be issued for the Study Permit application. Dates and Deadlines: Applications and enrolment are accepted on a rolling basis, subject to space availability. For international students, it is recommended to apply 2–3 months before the intended start date, or earlier depending on visa processing times. See also Scholarships for details on financial awards.

Scholarships

Diversity scholarships offer up to $2,000 CAD, available to admitted international students. Merit-based scholarships offer up to $6,000 CAD, awarded for achievement in academics, the arts, or sports. See the Scholarship Flyer for additional details.
School Events
The school has not added events