West Point Grey is a neighbourhood on the western side of Vancouver. It’s bordered by 16th Avenue to the south, Alma Street to the east and English Bay to the north.
It’s a compact area that makes it easy to get around. It also has a number of important east-west routes that run through it and connect to UBC on the south and Jericho Beach on the north.
Getting There
West Point Grey is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver and has many long-time residents. Its two beaches, Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks, provide great views of English Bay and the mountains. The area also has a historic shopping district along West 10th Avenue, with independently owned stores and cafes contributing to a village-like atmosphere.
There is a good bus service to and from West Point Grey, as well as several bike routes. The 99 B-Line express bus runs through the area and connects UBC with East Vancouver and the Skytrain.
The neighbourhood is surrounded by parks and beaches that offer plenty of recreational opportunities. The popular beaches of Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks, with their swimming rafts and volleyball courts, are great for relaxing on the sand and enjoying the view. The Jericho Sailing Centre is another popular spot for sailing and windsurfing.
For land sports, there is the Pacific Spirit Regional Park on Alma Street and Jericho and Locarno parks on West 10th Avenue. These parkland areas offer hiking and biking trails as well as scenic ocean views.
There are a number of public and independent schools in West Point Grey, including two traditional elementary schools and two high schools. In the public system, Queen Mary Elementary and Queen Elizabeth Elementary open their doors from kindergarten to grade 7. Lord Byng Secondary School is the only secondary school in the neighbourhood, and it consistently rates highly in the Fraser Institute’s annual ranking of local schools.
Students in the independent system can attend West Point Grey Academy, a private preparatory school with classes from pre-kindergarten to high school. There are also Montessori schools in the area, including Sunflower Academy and Family Montessori School Society.
West Point Grey is a calm, mainly residential neighbourhood with plenty of green areas. It has many exclusive luxury single-family homes and condos, some overlooking the waterfront.
There are a few shops and restaurants in the area, including Burgoo, which has been in business since 1986. The Provence Mediterranean Grill is another great spot for seafood and Italian dishes. Other notable eateries include Enigma, which is a favourite for brunch.
Transportation
If your child is planning to attend West Point Grey Academy, it is important to know what transportation options are available. This will help you make an informed decision about the best route to take.
The public transit system in West Vancouver is relatively well-developed and provides a number of bus routes that connect the neighbourhood to major parts of the city, including UBC. The area is also well-served by bicycle.
Many residents of this part of the city use both modes of transportation to get around, and most properties in West Point Grey are within easy walking distance of grocery stores and other essentials. A number of restaurants and cafes also are situated along the 4th Avenue shopping district.
This district is a great place for families to shop, with many local businesses offering a wide range of goods and services. In addition, the neighbourhood is home to a few popular attractions, including BC Place and Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
The University of British Columbia is also located in West Point Grey, and students can easily access campus on foot. Those who prefer to travel on public transportation can choose from the 99 B-Line, which runs through West 10th Avenue and connects this area with other areas of the city.
Alternatively, the Skytrain can be used to get into East Vancouver, where residents will find additional shopping and dining options. This is a relatively fast and easy way to get into the city, and it is an excellent option for those who have small children.
In the case that you do not want to drive to school, West Point Grey Academy has a bus service that will transport your child to and from the school. This will allow them to commute in style and save you a significant amount of money on fuel.
If you are not sure which bus will take you to the West Point Grey Academy, you can use Rome2rio’s travel planner to compare all available transport operators and find the best fare for your trip. The website will display all schedules, route maps and journey times as well as fares from all the relevant transport operators.
Education
Located on unceded Coast Salish territory on Vancouver’s Jericho lands, West Point Grey Academy is an independent, co-educational day school with 943 students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. The academy delivers the British Columbia Ministry of Education curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 and has received multiple accolades for its outstanding academic standards.
The school’s campus is set in three buildings on 18 acres of land overlooking English Bay and the North Shore mountains. It has two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, a fitness studio, tennis courts and sports fields.
It is the ideal place for young people to learn about the world around them, develop their creativity and build a sense of community. It is also an excellent place to engage with nature and become more environmentally conscious.
In addition to offering the standard curriculum, WPGA has an active Outdoor Education program that encourages students to explore and connect with the natural world. They can participate in activities such as wilderness expeditions, a range of backcountry sports (including wrestling, snowboarding, skiing and ice hockey), and a number of other outdoor experiences that build on their academic studies.
Moreover, the school is a leader in educating students with special needs. The school has a team of multi-disciplinary professionals who support students with disabilities in all areas, including academics, physical and emotional well-being.
The school’s dance programme is led by Goh Ballet Academy, which teaches children the fundamentals of classical ballet through movement exploration. The dance program helps students build their artistic expression, musical appreciation, self-confidence and body awareness.
For expats who are looking for a high-quality education for their children, there are a wide range of schools in Vancouver. Many are public, but enrolment at private and international schools is also available, and some are funded by the provincial government.
However, compared to other cities in Canada, education in Vancouver can be quite expensive, so expats should plan their budget carefully and make sure that they can afford to send their children to the school of their choice. While public schools are generally free, enrolment at private and international schools comes at a significant cost.
Safety
West Point Grey is a safe neighbourhood, with relatively low crime rates. It is also a beautiful area of Vancouver, with sprawling beaches and many large homes. The bluffs overlooking English Bay are particularly spectacular, and there is an abundance of parks and open spaces.
A few things to consider before choosing a home for sale in West Point Grey include the proximity to amenities, schools and daycares. Most houses and condos in this area are within a walking distance of grocery stores and restaurants.
Moreover, the area is located near major attractions like Robson Street and Pacific Spirit Regional Park. These places provide plenty of fun for the entire family.
When it comes to safety, there are many precautions that the school takes in order to keep its students and staff safe. For example, the school requires all its employees to take a boundary training program that teaches them how to protect their students from abuse.
The school also maintains strict policies that restrict access to student personal information. It is only accessible to authorized personnel who have a legitimate need for it, such as teachers and counselors.
For instance, if the school has an online database, the information is protected by passwords and encryption. This prevents unauthorized persons from accessing the database, which is important for protecting the privacy of your child.
Other measures that are taken to ensure the safety of West Point Grey include the use of a security guard, which is available 24 hours a day. The guards are well-trained and are responsible for ensuring that the students stay safe at all times.
In addition, the staff at West Point Grey are also highly trained in emergency preparedness. This is a good sign of the school’s commitment to safety, as it means that they are prepared for any potential disasters.
One of the most common questions parents ask is, “How can I help my child prepare for West Point?” The answer is simple: start talking with your child about their character traits and how they overlap with qualities that are essential for success at West Point. Then, encourage them to talk about what they want to achieve in their future careers and how being at West Point will enable that to happen.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.