Admissions
Families that believe the uniqueness of each student should drive the focus of an educational program should apply. Our student-centered approach integrates multisensory opportunities, Orton-Gillingham methodology, 1:1 tutoring, co-taught classrooms, and social development to support learners.
Applicants must have the following supporting documentation as part of their application:
- Psycho-educational assessment (dated within the last three years)
- Original diagnostic reports that support special education services category identification, such as:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Chronic Health/Physical Disability
- Mild/Moderate Mental Health/Behaviour Supports
- Cognitive standardized testing that demonstrates average to above average intelligence
- Medical/Para-medical and/or school history reports that demonstrate that the primary impediment to a student’s learning process is learning differences
Any behavioral, physical or emotional needs must be of secondary concern*
*KGMS does not provide Educational Assistants for students in need of 1:1 support
A Life Changing Experience
Welcome to Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School (KGMS). We are pleased that you are considering KGMS and are here to help you along your journey of understanding the best educational supports for your student and their learning needs. We look forward to sharing the benefits that KGMS offers students with learning differences and neurodiverse learning needs who learn differently and are happy to share more about our services and tailored educational program with you.
At KGMS, we believe in developing the whole student and our students are the heart of our program. Together we foster a community built on compassion, caring and connection. Our dynamic educational approach equips students to gain the confidence, skills and abilities to be self-advocates and be successful in navigating the world around them. KGMS is a life-changing experience for many of our students; the bonds formed here last throughout the school years and beyond.
Let’s connect to get the conversation started about the application process. Should you like to learn more please email admissions@kgms.ca directly. If you think KGMS is a good fit for your child, we encourage you to apply. We are excited to share more about our services and tailored educational program with you, to assisting you with admissions at KGMS and meeting you soon!
Warmly,
Stella Tsiknis
Director of Admissions / Vice Principal
Tuition
K-7
$34,545
8-12
$35,595
The school is able to keep tuition significantly below the actual cost of educating students through a combination of government grants and fundraising.
Additional Fees
- Application Fee: $150*
- School Supplies Fee K-7: $300 / 8-12: $600
- Technology Fee: $300
- Activity Enhancement Fee: $500
- New Student Registration Fee: $600
- Volunteer Commitment Deposit: $500
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School is a Group 1 Independent school and receives a portion of our funding through the Ministry of Education and Child Care. These funds are essential and enable KGMS to provide educational services to our students. If your child is deemed ineligible for Ministry of Education funding, if you reside outside of provincial jurisdiction, or are not a permanent resident or citizen of Canada you will be responsible for covering the cost of basic and special education grants.
*The $150 admission application fee is non-refundable. This application does not automatically guarantee an admissions interview or automatically admit my/our child to Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School. Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School reserves the right to make a final decision as to whether to proceed with the Admissions process based on the school’s assessment criteria.
How Do I Apply?
Step 1: Learn About Us
Thanks for stopping by! Choosing a school for your student is a big decision. We want to ensure that you are equipped with the information you need to make an informed decision. We invite you to connect with us by emailing admissions@kgms.ca or by calling us at 604-985-5224 to find out more about KGMS before you complete an application.
- Attend an an in-person or virtual open house
- Book a private tour
- Learn more about our community through social media
Step 2: Apply
KGMS offers placements from grades Kindergarten through to Grade 12 for students with adapted learning plans based on the Ministry of Education’s requirements. We accept applications for all grades; however, space is limited and typically based on attrition. Please note at the time of application, there is a non-refundable $150 application fee.
First
Depending on student designation, the following documents should be included in a student’s application:
- Psycho-educational assessment (dated within the last three years)
- Original diagnostic reports that support special education services category identification, such as:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Chronic Health/Physical Disability
- Mild/Moderate Mental Health/Behaviour Supports
- Cognitive standardized testing that demonstrates average to above average intelligence
- Medical/Para-medical and/or school history reports that demonstrate that the primary impediment to a student’s learning process is learning differences
- Current Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Last three summative report cards
- Grade 10-12 only: a current transcript including a list of completed courses to date
Then
- A member of our Admissions team will reach out to you with the next steps.
Step 3: Application Review Process
Members of the school-based team will review your application and a member of our admissions team will reach out with the next steps. Application review includes the following steps: student application review, contacting current school-based team to query about current learning profile and an interview with our Head of School.
Step 4: Enrollment
If we feel KGMS is an appropriate educational placement for your student, they may be offered enrollment or waitlisted if space is limited.
- Accepted: once your Admissions package is offered, families will have two weeks to submit their deposit and secure placement.
- Waitlisted: acceptance from our waitlist is based on best fit for the program and not first come, first served. If a suitable opportunity becomes available, KGMS Admissions will be in contact.
- Declined: decision details are communicated directly to the family.
Changing Schools
Making the transition to a new school can be a challenging process. KGMS is an independent school and we understand that the processes may be unfamiliar. Please reach out and we will be happy to support you through the transition.
We make every effort to ensure that you’re not alone throughout the exploration and application process. We work closely with families to share information, recommend resources and discuss our academic program.
Bursary Program
KGMS has a well-established Bursary Program intended for families that may feel the cost of a KGMS education is unattainable. At KGMS, we attempt to increase accessibility for many families who may not otherwise be able to participate in the education we provide. We work to ensure that our tuition is affordable, and that financial assistance is available for families that may require it.
KGMS’ bursary applications are administered by Apple Financial. Apple Financial is a third-party service providing confidential, equitable and fair financial application evaluation.
Bursary applications will open on February 1, 2024. You can find more information and access the application here.
Your ongoing support, collaboration and investment in your child’s education are integral to our community’s growth and success. Thank you!
* Some families have had success applying for external grants from CKNW Kid’s Fund and Variety — The Children’s Charity.
Admissions FAQs
Do you accept students in the middle of the year?
Yes, we offer rolling admissions throughout the year.
Does KGMS accept international students?
At this point of time KGMS does not accept international students.
What are the admissions fees?
There is a non-refundable $150 admissions application fee.
Do you have a waitlist?
Yes. Depending on available space at each grade level, prospective students may enter a waitlist.
How many students are enrolled at KGMS?
There are approximately 185 students enrolled at KGMS.
My child requires 1:1 support from a teacher or teaching assistant for their learning needs. Would KGMS’s program be suitable for their needs?
1:1 learning is only provided during Orton-Gillingham tutoring. If a child benefits from 1:1 learning throughout their school day, KGMS’s program would not be suitable for their needs.
Does KGMS have a bursary program?
Yes, once a student has been accepted, families may apply for the KGMS bursary fund for tuition assistance. Apple Financial Services is our third-party service provider. For more information, please see www.applefinancialservices.ca/.
Program FAQs
How do you engage students in academics?
Students are engaged in learning through an adapted academic program that integrates and normalizes student services needs. The instructional approach draws from the principles of Universal Design for Learning. This is a multimodal approach that seeks to enable students to engage with, represent and take action with and express their learning in a way that draws upon their strengths. For further information, please see Academics.
Does KGMS follow the BC curriculum?
Yes, KGMS follows the BC curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12 with the exception of second language instruction; students receive three report cards a year covering all subjects.
Does every student have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)?
Yes, every student at KGMS has an IEP developed at the beginning of the school year based on the pertinent learning goals for that school year. It is officially reviewed and revised twice a year. IEP goals and objectives may be revised outside of these times as well, as we often see many students’ skill development accelerate upon receiving effective instruction and intervention for their learning needs.
Outside of the classroom program and Orton-Gillingham tutoring, what other supports are available to students?
KGMS employs a number of student service professionals to support in the development of a student’s IEP goals. Student service professionals include: Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, School Psychologist, Developmental Consultant, and school-based counsellors for elementary and high school.
Do students need a specific diagnosis to access the support of student service professionals?
No, KGMS believes in Universal Design for Learning. All students will be considered for a student service referral in line with IEP goals and objectives.
What is your class/course composition?
Junior and middle school is co-taught with less than 20 students per class. An additional resource teacher supports Language Arts and Mathematics classes. Senior High School (grades 10-12): Course sizes are approximately from 1 – 18 students in larger classes. Our larger classes still make use of the co-taught model.
What time does school start?
Classes begin at 8:15 AM.
Do you have combined classes?
KGMS is organized into junior, middle and senior departments. Within these departments, students may be in straight grade or mixed grade groupings.
What extracurriculars are offered?
We currently offer leadership, SOGI & DEJI initiatives, arts clubs, intramurals and basketball. Most extracurriculars occur during the lunch hour in order to accommodate those commuting from outside the Maplewood community.
Do students wear uniforms?
Elementary students wear school uniforms. High school students are expected to follow a dress code but aren’t required to wear a KGMS uniform.
Does KGMS provide bus service?
Yes. Our bus program has dedicated pick-ups in Coquitlam, New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver and North Vancouver. The service is available for a monthly fee depending on full-time (AM/PM) or one-way transport, or a daily rate.
How are parents involved at KGMS?
We work closely with families to ensure Individual Education Plan’s (IEP) fit the needs of their child. In addition to regular progress updates, we are committed to consistent communication and collaboration.
We also hold parent education evenings on topics that encompass academic programming, demystification, safety and finance.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
We are grateful to be living, working and learning on the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Coast Salish territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations.
