Bodwell began in 1991 with just six students, and has grown exponentially since then. It’s now one of the largest international boarding schools in the country. Throughout, the school has been developed to support learners arriving in Canada from overseas, including counsellors who can provide guidance on travel and visa requirements, and international credit equivalencies. The atmosphere in many ways in an expression of the surrounding city. Like Vancouver, the school is diverse, positioned to grant a global perspective. Graduates are encouraged to grow a sense of who they are in that wider world, both of the pacific rim and beyond. The ideal student is one preparing for university and, afterward, a professional engagement within an international context.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Bodwell High School stands out for its premier academic program alongside a cross-cultural boarding experience, guiding students to leading universities worldwide while giving families confidence in their child’s brightest future. Alongside Bodwell's rigorous curriculum, the school's boarding program provides a varied extracurricular experience that encompasses life skills, fine arts, and sports. Students are encouraged and supported to become well-rounded individuals that excel with their chosen passion."
Established in 1991, Bodwell has a proven history of success in boarding and university preparation.
Academic programming includes IB MYP (8-10), AP courses, and accelerated English learning
10+ counsellors bring global experience to provide academic guidance and university preparation
Our boarding team provides a well-rounded youth development program
Co-Curricular classes integrate clubs, sports, and after-school support into student transcripts
Bodwell's campus is fully equipped for student life, and is on accessible, waterfront property
Proven success - high rate of student offers to top universities in Canada and around the world
Diversity is our strength - our population of international students come from 40+ countries
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Bodwell has two key differentiators – cultural diversity, and expertise in university preparation.
Alumni often reflect on the diversity and structure of the Bodwell...(more)
"Bodwell has two key differentiators – cultural diversity, and expertise in university preparation.
Alumni often reflect on the diversity and structure of the Bodwell experience. With a boarding program that becomes home for peers from over 40 countries each year, students develop international and lifelong friendships that they cannot find at other schools in Canada.
Bodwell's campus culture and staff support helps students deal with differences and conflicts in a healthy and constructive manner, leading to graduates with multicultural communications skills and a genuine appreciation for diversity.
University preparation is a second key differentiator. With an expansive ten-person counseling team, students have much more personalized support and guidance for both their time at the school, and for university readiness. Bodwell supports each student with a combination of after-school tutoring, extra time with teachers, standardized test preparation, and English language support."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"We value a fast academic pace and high standard of discipline, supplemented with a wide range of academic and personal supports at the school. We recognize that this can be...(more)
"We value a fast academic pace and high standard of discipline, supplemented with a wide range of academic and personal supports at the school. We recognize that this can be stressful for some students, especially during early experiences, and try our best to balance this out with a strong offering of weekly activities and extracurriculars.
We also see learning as part of life outside of the classroom. We integrate healthy habits and development into our boarding schedule, which can mean that prospective day students may need to independently inquire and learn within a family or homestay context to keep up with peers."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"The ideal Bodwell student is a motivated learner that is ready to face the challenges of living independently within a boarding program.
"The ideal Bodwell student is a motivated learner that is ready to face the challenges of living independently within a boarding program.
Most Bodwell students are ambitious for their futures, and strive for both academic and personal excellence. The school provides, in turn, a wide breadth of academic, co-curricular, and activity-based opportunities for growth.
Students with an interest in a diverse community and the unique experiences that come with it will find a particularly welcome home at Bodwell. Each year, the school welcomes students from 40+ countries around the world. The school encourages its students to share their experiences with peers, ranging from cultural celebrations to class presentations and unique cuisines."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Students who need an intense amount of support to reach academic success may find it difficult at Bodwell. Although our personalized approach has successfully helped students in...(more)
"Students who need an intense amount of support to reach academic success may find it difficult at Bodwell. Although our personalized approach has successfully helped students in many difficult situations, we provide our academic programs on an intensive, accelerated schedule. This means that students who need foundational help or assisted learning may fall behind, or find it very stressful, to pursue our programs."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Bodwell is an all-inclusive package for the ambitious, university-minded student. With opportunities for accelerated graduation, supported by high quality academic support and a...(more)
"Bodwell is an all-inclusive package for the ambitious, university-minded student. With opportunities for accelerated graduation, supported by high quality academic support and a boarding program targeted at youth development, many of our graduates enter post-secondary with a head start over their peers.
Alongside this, we provide strong English language development for students who come from diverse backgrounds, and have worked very hard to develop a truly multicultural community that helps students to build a global perspective and an appreciation for inter-cultural engagement."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"Bodwell is a school built on three pillars – university readiness, a truly diverse community, and well-rounded personalized support.
"Bodwell is a school built on three pillars – university readiness, a truly diverse community, and well-rounded personalized support.
Our community knows us to be supportive welcoming. Although our programs can be rigorous and stressful, our staff are dedicated, experienced, and work directly with each student to foster success once they walk through Bodwell’s doors.
We have a proven history of success, and are a good bet for strong lifelong outcomes - our graduates within the past ten years are recognized by post-secondary institutions as competitive entrants, often earning scholarship offers and a strong range of options. Older alumni often stay in touch and have reported an inspiring range of successful high-level careers."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Something that prospective families might not know about is the openness of communication that we strive for. Our staff work hard to provide a well-rounded personal profile for...(more)
"Something that prospective families might not know about is the openness of communication that we strive for. Our staff work hard to provide a well-rounded personal profile for each student to reflect upon themselves, and to highlight to parents when further support may be needed.
This comes in the form of academic reporting, personal development (through boarding program), counselor recommendations, extracurricular reporting, and finally, regular school updates from our principal and communications team."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Although we like to share about it, the amount of personalized support that we provide to every student still takes many by surprise.
"Although we like to share about it, the amount of personalized support that we provide to every student still takes many by surprise.
Bodwell students benefit from an almost 1:3 ratio of staff to students. Every student can expect 1:1 meetings with their counselor every semester, as well as personal guidance from their Youth Advisor within the boarding program, and access to extra academic support to fit their weekly schedule."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"We have recently opened up a Canadian scholarship program, both to give back to the community that we have been part of for over 30 years, and to expand our local student body. We...(more)
"We have recently opened up a Canadian scholarship program, both to give back to the community that we have been part of for over 30 years, and to expand our local student body. We envision a strong Canadian cohort of students that will find an enriching and exciting opportunity to make friends from all around the world, without travelling too far from home."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"We are striving towards stronger university connections. Though we already boast healthy ties to institutions in Canada through the annual Canadian Universities Event hosted at...(more)
"We are striving towards stronger university connections. Though we already boast healthy ties to institutions in Canada through the annual Canadian Universities Event hosted at our campus, as well as through strategic partnerships with the Universities of Toronto and Waterloo, we hope to further our connections to universities in recognition of the strong performance of our alumni.
Over the coming years, we also hope to further develop our academic support programs in language learning and our honors/excellence cohorts, so that our students can further benefit from well-structured personalized support."
Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 — I had a positive lifetime-changing experience at Bodwell High School. I believe it influenced most if not all of the decisions which ultimately led me to be where I am right now and honestly, I am grateful for that. Had I remained in my home country (Kazakhstan) I would have not met half the potential of the gentleman I am today. The global friends I made, the dorm staff and not to forget the cafeteria crew really made my transition smooth and seamless. Going to Bodwell High School and meeting different people from different parts of the world really requires one to be willing to turn a new slate in life and mentality for data absorption because if not opportunity and lessons may pass you by as there is just a lot at one's disposal to grasp
Gr. 12 — My overall experience at Bodwell was a learning curve in my life. I learned that we are all the same in the world and no person can live on an island. We all need each other in order to grow healthy physically, mentally, socially and even spiritually. Coming from a developing country into an already established working system was eye-opening. For me, it presented itself as a window of vast opportunities for me to absorb as most of the experiences were solutions to the so called developing world problems and questions I had encountered previously. I only attended Bodwell for 2 semesters but I can testify that most of my personal traits and characteristics I carry to this day were molded in Bodwell. The level of equality and etiquette training they practice resonates highly among students.
Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 — My first experience at Bodwell High School was as a culture and academic exchange student coming from Zimbabwe. I was traveling with the Zimbabwe Under 16 National Basketball team for a 2-week program to promote relations between Zimbabwe and Bodwell High School. I don’t hesitate to say I was
wowed at the very first instance. From the welcome we got from the Bodwell hosting team from the minute we got off the plane till the very point we were boarding, it was all respect and honor among each other. I did not have to think twice if I wanted to attend the school. Before I left I had already initiated my
application process. A few months later I was back at the same school, ready to become part of the warm family I had met earlier and had taught me one thing, treat everyone with respect regardless of background or knowledge of who the other person is.
Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 — From the very first time I entered Bodwell High School and saw the glowing diverse faces of the students buzzing around and welcoming staff, I knew this was a turning point in my life altogether. At first, I was not sure if it was going to be the better or for the worse, and of course that was anxiety speaking. During orientation, which by the way was very helpful for first-time students as we got to get well accustomed before school started so as to know my way around and get some school basics, the welcome was incredible and befitting. Overall I got to make some really good friends who have been there for me when I needed them and even went to university with some of them furthermore worked with them. You then see that it was no coincidence going there at the end of the day, but I was to make life-long relationships.
Gr. 11 to Gr. 12 — Like any other person, change always makes one anxious as it is unknown what's to come. There is nothing constant in life except change itself. Moving halfway around the globe did not make my case any different especially travelling solo as a minor for the very first time. Mixed feelings of anticipation were a strong bother. However, the support that came through from the Bodwell Homestay team really eased a lot for me. I remember I had arrived at the school for the first time a week later than I was expected so everyone had already gone through orientation and I was sort of the odd one out. Honestly speaking after being taken to my Homestay, and left in the comfort of my new host family I could sense a warm feeling and it gave me hope for what was to come. In a couple days, I was already roaming around with some of the students showing me around. The "international family" spirit really did the thing for me. I was the first Zimbabwean student to attend there and up to today I wouldn't change a thing about the experience as it helped my global network grow and to this day I use those skills and connections in my almost everyday life. Going into Bodwell is unlike most schools. I'm sure it's a feeling when superheroes get called to Avengers. We all come there from different backgrounds, culture and ethnicities but with one goal in mind. To develop, grow and connect.
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
