Why Choose Vernon?
All Canadian, English Speaking
Be immersed in a traditional English speaking Canadian community. In our community of over 50,000 residents, more than 90% speak English as their first language. In some of the larger cities in Western Canada the percentage of English speakers drops as low as 51% of the population. If you want to learn English, come to Vernon. You will hear it, learn it, speak it.
Safe and Secure
In our Homestay Program all of our students live with a Canadian family and become part of the family. Our families are carefully selected and monitored by 3 homestay coordinators and our Homestay Manager. Here students learn and practice even more English and learn about Canadian customs and culture. Most families live in their own home in a neighborhood they’ve lived in for many years. They know their neighbours, it is a safe and secure environment. Students will either walk to their neighbourhood school or take our district school bus.
Small City Charm
Vernon offers all the amenities you want and need. We have a large hospital, library and recreation centre with swimming pool, many gyms for working out, a public bus transportation system, basketball and tennis courts. Downtown you will find unique shopping and coffee shops, many restaurants as well as a large shopping mall, and grocery stores with a variety of ethnic foods.
Excellent Academics
Teaching English is our specialty! You will find a designated teacher for International Students at every high school and also one for elementary students. Our teachers support their students from the time they arrive and all the way through their graduation program. It doesn’t stop there…students will also receive help and support with their college and university applications.
Sports, Sports and More Sports
Our schools offer many opportunities to play a wide variety of sports like, basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, rugby, tennis, golf and swimming. Passionate about sports? Join our academy program where we offer high level coaching and skill development in soccer, baseball, swimming and of course, hockey. We have one of the most unique Snow Sports Academy offering competition level coaching for Nordic, Downhill Racing and Snowboarding. How about fencing, dancing, running, sailing, martial arts or gymnastics? Come and see the Vernon Vipers Hockey Team. All this and much more is available in Vernon.
The Arts
Vernon schools are bubbling over with talented artists, musicians and performers. Join a drama class and be part of the school production, learn about stage craft, lighting or set building. Our bands rank among the top performers in Jazz competitions in both Canada and the USA. In Vernon you can take a general art course, drawing and painting or ceramics. Visit our local gallery and museum.
University Preparation
Our teachers know that high school is just part of your dream. Our high quality academic courses will prepare students for the academic world beyond high school. We offer it all, from general sciences to physics and chemistry, pre-calculus, calculus and AP calculus. Our students can access the best universities in Canada. Our program takes students to visit colleges and universities in our region. Our teachers help students prepare applications for any post-secondary institution they want. For us it is not enough to just graduate, our goal is for our students to be as prepared for University as our local students.
Incredible Natural Environment
The city of Vernon is a place where Canadians want to spend their holidays. We are nestled in a valley and surrounded by 3 beautiful lakes. Our summer weather is hot and dry and our students love the time they spend at the beaches or hiking in the mountains. Just 20 km away from Vernon is the amazing SilverStar Mountain Resort offering the famed “champagne powder” for downhill skiing and snowboarding, Nordic skiing, snow shoeing and skating and in the summer the resort is a playground for the mountain biker. Lots to do in a moderate winter where students can experience the 4 seasons of Canada that is far from the extreme weather of central and eastern Canada.
