Brookes Westshore, an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, envisions a future filled with self-confident, lifelong learners who are connected and inspired to help others. Brookes Westshore fosters an inclusive, multicultural community, with over 20 different nationalities represented across Grades 4 through 12. Small class sizes, engaging teachers, and a caring community support students in a personalized environment that develops their critical thinking skills and a passion for life-long learning. Brookes Westshore provides students with the tools they need to pursue their dreams.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Brookes Westshore is an IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. We are fifteen minutes from downtown Victoria on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Our small class sizes, engaging teachers and caring community support students in a personalized learning environment that develops critical thinking skills and a passion for life-long learning. Students have the opportunity to graduate with both the IB Diploma and the BC Dogwood Diploma."
International Baccalaureate (IB) DP and MYP curriculum
BC curriculum compliant (Dogwood Diploma on graduation)
100% University Acceptance
21+ Nationalities
Global Exchange and Leadership Programs
Personalized, Small Class Sizes
Day & Boarding School
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Brookes Westshore teaches all students the International Baccalaureate curriculum. We believe this is the most comprehensive curriculum available and provides students with the...(more)
"Brookes Westshore teaches all students the International Baccalaureate curriculum. We believe this is the most comprehensive curriculum available and provides students with the knowledge and skills to be their best selves in an increasingly globalized world. Students graduate from Brookes Westshore with the IB Diploma as well as the BC High School Diploma (BC Dogwood). The global perspective of the IB is enhanced through our commitment to having 50/50 local and international students."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"Brookes Westshore focuses our resources on a relatively small number of academic courses ensuring that we can provide the excellence in teaching and individualized learning...(more)
"Brookes Westshore focuses our resources on a relatively small number of academic courses ensuring that we can provide the excellence in teaching and individualized learning opportunities that best support our students. This means that we do not offer, for example, vocational courses, and that our facilities support academic subjects as a priority."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"In 2016 we dissolved our partnership with Dwight School NY - creating Brookes Shawnigan Lake School in the process. This moment marked the beginning of the expansion of Brookes...(more)
"In 2016 we dissolved our partnership with Dwight School NY - creating Brookes Shawnigan Lake School in the process. This moment marked the beginning of the expansion of Brookes schools worldwide - leading to affiliated schools in Moscow, the UK, India and the US. Brookes Shawnigan Lake moved to our current site in the Westshore of Victoria BC in 2018 - opening our purpose built, modern campus and enabling us to expand our offering to include Grades 4 and 5. Our global connections are at the heart of our school as we encourage students to broaden their horizons, connect with our international students, and develop the global mindedness that is central to the IB curriculum."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Students who get the most out of Brookes Westshore tend to be academically inclined, particularly those who have an interest in the wider world and a desire to learn more about...(more)
"Students who get the most out of Brookes Westshore tend to be academically inclined, particularly those who have an interest in the wider world and a desire to learn more about global events and issues. Students who thrive with us also tend to enjoy the small school atmosphere - building deep connections with their peers across the grades, having strong relationships with teachers and staff, and being part of a close knit and engaged community."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Brookes Westshore may not be the best fit for students who do not plan to attend university after graduation. The IB curriculum is demanding and may not be a good fit for students...(more)
"Brookes Westshore may not be the best fit for students who do not plan to attend university after graduation. The IB curriculum is demanding and may not be a good fit for students whose passions and interests are not aligned to academic subjects. Also, as a small school we do not have the resources and capacity to support students who have extensive learning needs."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families choose Brookes Westshore for our small class sizes, excellent teaching, and the International Baccalaureate curriculum. With a maximum of 300 places available we are able...(more)
"Families choose Brookes Westshore for our small class sizes, excellent teaching, and the International Baccalaureate curriculum. With a maximum of 300 places available we are able to maintain a strong sense of community, where students are noticed and recognized for their unique attributes, and are given individualized support in areas where they need it."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"Brookes Westshore is noted as a locally based international school that has high academic standards coupled with a strong community feel. Our neighbours and community see our...(more)
"Brookes Westshore is noted as a locally based international school that has high academic standards coupled with a strong community feel. Our neighbours and community see our students as polite and respectful, and our staff as warm and engaging."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Our international teaching staff. As an IB school we attract teaching staff who are highly qualified, motivated to support student excellence, and who have lived and worked around...(more)
"Our international teaching staff. As an IB school we attract teaching staff who are highly qualified, motivated to support student excellence, and who have lived and worked around the world. Our diverse teaching staff bring a range of skills and perspectives to the classroom that directly benefit students, and build on the global mindedness at the heart of the IB curriculum. Our senior teachers mentor our younger staff, and our younger staff bring new ideas and energy into our community."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"One of the things that we consistently hear from our families is surprise at the breadth of afterschool activities we offer, despite our small size. Students are able to take part...(more)
"One of the things that we consistently hear from our families is surprise at the breadth of afterschool activities we offer, despite our small size. Students are able to take part in ASAs every day of the week and can choose new activities each term. We take advantage of the many facilities available in our community, as well as the stunning natural environment of Vancouver Island. Students can choose to go rock climbing, play tennis, take action on the environment, create music and much more."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"In 2022 we opened our grade 4 and 5 classes - a first step in our goal of being an IB continuum school offering classes from kindergarten to grade 12. In 2024 we partnered with...(more)
"In 2022 we opened our grade 4 and 5 classes - a first step in our goal of being an IB continuum school offering classes from kindergarten to grade 12. In 2024 we partnered with Royal Roads University to offer classes on their neighbouring campus for our Diploma Students - strengthening the connection our students have with university life and expanding the range of spaces available for our students."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"A key goal for the next five years at Brookes Westshore is to solidify and extend our connections to our other Brookes schools around the world. We have an annual exchange with...(more)
"A key goal for the next five years at Brookes Westshore is to solidify and extend our connections to our other Brookes schools around the world. We have an annual exchange with our school in the UK and have plans in place to extend the available exchanges to our school in India. Combined with this goal we are also renewing our commitment to having 50% international students in our school - we believe that this creates a unique learning environment for our students and builds the core value global mindedness that is at the heart of an IB education."
Gr. 10 (current) — He enjoys most of the sports facilities, the availability of a gym, an indoor court at school, and the Juan de Fuca recreation center sports field. He has also made good friends, especially with the Mexican students so he is enjoying the multicultural atmosphere. He had a great time on the skiing trip, the weekend camping trip, and is excited about the upcoming surfing trip in May. He does not like the strict rules of the boarding school (being on time for classes and activities, leaving the school always with another student) but of course, we, as parents, are delighted that the rules are strictly enforced. He also complains about the food which he finds monotonous but of course, when you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at school, it is normal to get bored.
Gr. 5 (current),Gr. 4 (current) — Both my kids have been thriving since they started in Brookes Westshore in the 2020-2021 school year. Since the very first day, the school has felt like family, they have been welcomed with open arms and this feeling continues every day. They love going to school and spending time there with friends and with teachers. They love the academic challenges that come their way and how they are encouraged to explore, satisfy their curiosity, and learn more about the world around them. They are challenged to go beyond the minimum and really explore. They are also constantly engaged in activities within the community and our surrounding natural beauty, making every day a different day. They have so much fun in every aspect of life. They are continuously involved in nature activities, arts, and academic challenges. The school also has a great host of after-school activities for the kids to try new things.
Our son loves his school experience at Brookes. He has enjoyed the culturally diverse community and made many new friends from all over the world which has broadened his global views and understanding of different perspectives. Additionally, although he has found the workload and course content to be academically challenging, he has thrived particularly in French, Science, Math and Social studies. We, as parents, have been impressed with the depth and breadth of his knowledge base in all of his subjects. He spent hours engrossed in his grade 10 personal wildlife photography project (his choice of topic), where he applied salient principles to capture some outstanding nature shots, then less enthusiastically drafting his 1600-word report of the key lessons learned! In addition to the academic rigour of his school work, Tristan has thrived with volleyball and basketball-enjoying the team component of these competitive sports. Brookes has an excellent group of dedicated teachers who truly care and spend time with their pupils which has fostered his self-confidence.
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