Academics
At UNISUS, the pursuit of academic excellence is seamlessly integrated with a distinctive approach to education, setting the stage for students to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.
As an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, UNISUS is dedicated to nurturing well-rounded individuals who possess both a solid academic foundation and a deep understanding of the world around them. What sets UNISUS apart is the seamless fusion of its three pillars - Outdoor Education, Technology and Innovation, and Entrepreneurship - into the IB curriculum, creating a transformative learning journey.
Book a Tour or a Virtual Meeting
Interested families can book a personal tour of Unisus School or book a phone meeting with us to learn more about the IB programs, our enrichment programs, the Scholar-Athlete pathways, and how our class sizes enable teachers to connect with each learner, tailoring instruction to spark curiosity and foster deeper understanding.
You will also learn more about the opportunities and the doors that open with a dual diploma from Unisus: an IB Diploma and the British Columbia Diploma.
During your meeting, you’ll learn about the school, the campus, and the classrooms, and you will discover what attending Unisus School can mean for your child!
Here are some other ways in which UNISUS is leading the way in terms of academics:
- More ideal class sizes
- Personalized attention
- Project-based learning
- Differentiated instruction
- Inquiry and concept-driven learning
- Connecting learning to the real world
- Understanding how each learner learns
- Through our Academics+ program (incorporating student interests and passions into their school day during dedicated times)
The Class Size Difference: Why It Matters
Within our exceptional educational framework, UNISUS recognizes the paramount importance of personalized attention which can only come with smaller, more ideal class sizes.
With a commitment to ensuring optimal learning conditions, the school maintains a deliberate focus on keeping a smaller class size within any given class. This deliberate choice cultivates an environment where every student receives individualized support and engagement from educators, fostering a meaningful and personalized educational experience.
This also means that teachers can identify and help students who need extra support in a subject, and they can also identify students who are excelling beyond the subject material and provide them with further instruction/lessons to continue to grow and learn.
How We Succeed at Differentiated Instruction
Central to this individualized approach is differentiated instruction, which thrives in the intimate class sizes at UNISUS. With fewer students in each class, educators can tailor their teaching methods to suit diverse learning styles and preferences. This personalized approach not only enriches students' understanding but also ignites their passion for learning.
In such an environment, identifying students' strengths and challenges becomes more seamless. This personalized insight allows teachers to adapt their strategies creatively, catering to various learning preferences and needs.
With this, lessons can be very project-based, whether through interactive presentations, multimedia, or collaborative discussions, educators can engage every type of learner effectively and connect what they are learning to the real world.
Academics+ | Where Excellence Meets Opportunity
At UNISUS, Academics+ is more than a curriculum — it’s a philosophy.Our foundation is built on delivering the gold standard of academics, ensuring every student receives a future-ready, globally recognized education. But we don’t stop there.
We offer our students Academics+, where the “plus” in represents the pathways and opportunities we layer on top of academic excellence — tailored to each student’s interests, strengths, and ambitions.
Academics plus can include:
- The Scholar-Athlete Program including Hockey, Snowsports, Motorsports and Soccer
- Enrichment Programs that explore innovation, creativity, and leadership through fine arts, music, entrepreneurship, outdoor education, leadership, multi-sport and more
- The IB Diploma Pathway, where students graduate with both the International Baccalaureate and the British Columbia High School Diploma, or "The Dogwood Diploma"
Academics+ allows students to grow their passions alongside a strong academic foundation, and our school days are designed around supporting this.
This is a Pathway Enablement Program — where your child will be guided toward top universities, professional opportunities and market readiness with confidence and purpose. By the time they graduate, your child won’t just be academically strong — they’ll be prepared to thrive in whatever path they choose.
What does Academics+ look like in each grade?
In Kindergarten-Gr. 5, Enrichment opportunities are built into their day (music, art, drama, outdoor education, technology...etc) so students are exposed to all options.
Beginning in Grade 6, academic classes are scheduled in the mornings for three days a week of their weekly schedule, with those afternoons dedicated to discovering and pursuing passions (see below). For those 3 afternoons a week, students can choose from our Scholar-Athlete programs in Soccer, Hockey, Snowsports or Motorsports, or, they can explore Enrichment electives within the areas of fine arts, music, outdoor education, entrepreneurship, multi-sport, leadership, and world languages.
Once students are in Grades 11-12, students may be able to continue to pursue their Enrichments or Scholar-Athlete programs depending on their academic schedule.
Gr. 6-10 Weekly Schedule
*Once students are in Grade 10, they may only be able to access these afternoons twice per week depending on their schedule.
Integrating Soft Skills into Education
The most valuable skills - the soft skills - which ultimately lead to fulfillment in life, are rarely taught deliberately. Instead, they are often learned by accident, through trial and error, failure, and hardship.
Many of history’s greatest leaders and innovators, from entrepreneurs to change makers, developed these skills not in a classroom, but through struggle, setbacks, and perseverance.
What if students could learn these essential skills intentionally, instead of leaving them to chance?
Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford Research Center has all concluded that 85% of job success comes from having well‐developed soft and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills).These statistics were extrapolated from A Study of Engineering Education, authored by Charles Riborg Mann and published in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation.
It should also be noted that research conducted with Fortune 500 CEOs by the Stanford Research Institute International and the Carnegie Melon Foundation, found that 75% of long-term job success depends on people skills, while only 25% on technical knowledge. (The American Management Association)
The UNISUS Future Ready Program is designed to prepare students for success in an evolving world.
Integrated into learning are socio-emotional skills, inner mastery, digital literacy and physical self-care, which are all skills required to navigate life, ensuring students develop self-awareness, ethical grounding, and practical competencies.
In essence, UNISUS represents more than just an educational institution; it's a holistic journey that seamlessly integrates academic rigor, personalized attention, global perspectives, and practical experiences. As students navigate their educational path, they're immersed in an environment that equips them not only with knowledge but also with the skills and character needed to thrive in a dynamic world.
Learn more about our school!
ECE Ages 2.5-5
Junior School K-Gr. 5
Middle School Gr. 6-7
Senior School Gr. 8-12
Discover our Scholar-Athlete Academies and our Enrichment Programs!
Scholar-Athlete Academies
Enrichment Programs
