Junior School - Crofton House School

Junior Kindergarten–Grade 7

A safe and joyful environment that fosters a love of learning

Our Junior School girls are enthusiastic and confident students who ask big questions, express their opinions and are excited to explore their ideas. Our youngest learners participate in projects and activities that fill our classrooms and halls with discussion, music and laughter. Amid all of this energy, self-reliant, inquisitive and reflective young thinkers begin to emerge, ready to take on the next challenge.

Each day at our Junior School is filled with wonder and discovery. The fundamentals of education, such as literacy and numeracy, are balanced with the importance of play. Field trips, building a website or racing through the School’s woods spark imaginations. Indoors and out become one inspiring classroom where girls are encouraged to apply their learning to real life.

Designed to complement the way girls learn best, the Junior School offers an intentional approach based on collaboration, curiosity and choice. Our educational program provides girls with a level of independence that increases over time from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7.

Teachers who are committed to their students and an educational program that is integrated throughout the School provide consistency in teaching the girls life lessons as they progress through the grades, helping to prepare them for their next steps.

Reading, Writing and Speaking

Math and Science

Teachers and students work with our resident mathematician, Carole Fullerton, to implement a math culture where understanding is at the core; students improve their math skills through a variety of problem-solving activities
Girls learn to be scientists through engaging hands-on units that cover a topic in depth – from butterflies to salmon – over a month
Middle School science students work in a lab with equipment, tools and designs to investigate scientific inquiries

Arts, Music and Design Thinking

Creative self-expression is an essential part of the Crofton House learning journey. Extensive art, drama and music programs provide a wonderland of creative opportunities for curious young minds
From Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5, we focus on all aspects of music development. This includes musical theatre in the classroom, dancing and creative movement, history, ear training, and instrumental and vocal skills. Girls also have the opportunity to join co-curricular choirs
From Grade 6, girls begin to take specialized music courses in beginner band and choral singing. In Grade 6 and 7, girls can participate in the Middle School musical and Intermediate Choir; from Grade 7, girls can choose between choir and band
Through our Artist-in-Residence Program, professional artists share their expertise and help students and teachers deepen their understanding of the arts
Our modern design program is delivered in unique, specialized spaces that promote design thinking, which is introduced starting in kindergarten by our resident design technician. Younger students bring their creative ideas to life with materials and equipment such as building blocks, arts and craft supplies, and small electronic parts and tools. Starting in Grade 6, girls work through the creative process by using with materials and sophisticated equipment
Field trips to cultural events, galleries and festivals

Physical Education and Athletics

Physical education and athletics in the Junior School are designed to encourage participation and skill development in a non-competitive environment
Through daily participation in physical activity, all girls develop confidence, competence, and a sense of community and connection
Daily physical education – including gymnastics, yoga and dance – instills a commitment to regular physical activity
Inclusive co-curricular athletic teams and intramurals extend our physical education program, allowing every girl to participate, whatever her athletic ability
In Grade 3–4, students can join fitness challenge, cross-country, and track and field. Starting in Grade 5, girls can also join the volleyball and basketball team, and in Grade 6, the field hockey team. 70% of girls in the Junior School participate in sports
Athletics facilities include a large playing field, dedicated Junior School gymnasium and movement room

All-Girls' Education

Campus and Learning Spaces

Inspiring
Every Girl

“The Junior School is a place where your daughter will be cared for and surrounded by wonderful role models who will ask the most of her and challenge her to be her best.”
Wendy Macken | Director, Junior School

Program Features

Intake years

While applications are accepted for all grades, our primary Junior School intake years are Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten and Grade 6 Learn more

The CHS difference

Our signature program, Ivy Compass, fosters personal growth, leadership and engaged citizenship through real-life experiences inside and outside of the classroom

Parent involvement

Regular parent/teacher communication, volunteer opportunities, coffee mornings, parent evenings and events

Small class sizes

Small classes led by caring teachers and specialists in art, design, drama, music, physical education and French

Enriching learning

BC-curriculum-based arts and music programs are enhanced with co-curricular activities, including Primary and Intermediate Choirs and an annual Middle School musical
Public speaking opportunities, including Debate Club
Many after-school activities, including:
- Co-curricular activities and clubs, ranging from Cooking Club to Reporters
- Program Plus activities (fee-based), ranging from Goh Ballet Academy to video production

Learning support

Learning resource support available to all students

Technology

iPad tablets provided in Grade 1–7 to support the learning experience and to ensure a healthy relationship with technology
Technology is intentionally introduced with digital literacy and the impact of screen time on young children in mind

Outdoor education

Starting in Grade 3, girls go on annual outdoor education trips to challenge themselves, connect with nature, and learn about sustainability and environmental stewardship

Healthy habits

Daily physical education and unstructured outdoor playtime
Daily healthy, hot lunch provided to all students through our Community Dining Program

School hours

8:35 am–3:05 pm (Kindergarten)
8:20 am–3:20 pm (Grade 1–7), with supervision from 7:50 am to 3:50 pm
Extended Day Program (7:30 am–8:00 am and 3:30 pm– 5:30pm) supports working parents who need an early drop-off or late pickup for their daughter

Exploring Design with Discovery Projects

Grade 6 and 7 shared their Discovery Projects with each other. Discovery is a component of the Applied Design Skills and Technology curriculum in the Junior School Middle School where students gain applied, hands-on experience. The projects require students to research, apply creativity, problem solve, and reflect, within the context of the learning. Students can participate in one of eight modules Future Builders (pictured), Jewelry, All the World’s a Stage, Let’s Code, Comic Book Creation, Scrapbooks, Keep it Calm, or Video Production.

Talking Trees Tour with Coast Salish Elders

On Tuesday, October 15, Grade 3 students joined the Talking Trees Tour, an interpretive forest walk in Pacific Spirit Park. This field trip was an opportunity to meet and engage with Coast Salish elders and learn about the traditional uses of plant species in our local forests.

Writers-in-Residence: Jennifer and Matthew Holm

This week the Junior School hosted Jennifer and Matthew Holm as Writers-in-Residence. They are an American sibling duo who collaborate on children's book series, most notably the 20-book graphic-novel series Babymouse, which has more than 3 million copies in print around the globe. Their other collaborations include Squish, and My First Comics graphic novel series.