York House School

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York House School is an independent day school for girls in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves students from junior kindergarten through grade 12 and has about 656 pupils. The school’s motto is Not for Ourselves Alone, with the guiding idea Onward and Upward.

History and campus
York House was founded in 1932 during the Great Depression by seven women. It began at 4355 Granville Street with 17 students and moved to its current site at 4176 Alexandra Street in 1939. The campus includes a Senior School, a Junior School, a gym and playing fields, and an underground facility that houses a music room, an art gallery, and a 350-seat theatre. The Little School on a nearby campus (about 1.5 km away) serves the kindergarteners and early grades. In the 1970s and 1980s, the elementary grades included some boys.

Academics and rankings
York House offers a complete JK–12 program. The Junior School is ranked first in the province by the Fraser Institute, and the Senior School ranks first among 252 BC schools. Core subjects include English, science, social studies, mathematics, modern languages, fine arts, and physical education. The school also offers courses in computer programming and graphic design.

Community, values, and traditions
The school emphasizes giving back through volunteer work, fundraising, international trips, and partnerships with organizations such as KidSafe Society, YWCA Munroe House, BC Children’s Hospital, and more. The school hosts several annual events, including Founders’ Day, a Candlelight Service, Grandparents’ Day, and Remembrance Day assemblies, as well as year-end Prizegivings and Graduation ceremonies.

Arts, music, and sports
York House has strong programs in music, drama, and the visual arts. Seniors Bands and Choirs have won awards, and the school regularly tours for performances. The drama program stages annual productions, including musicals and plays. In athletics, the teams are known as the Tigers. Junior School athletes compete in volleyball, cross-country, swimming, basketball, ultimate, and track and field, while the Senior School plays in the Lower Mainland Independent Schools Athletic Association and other competitions. The basketball program has earned multiple provincial championships.

Symbols and uniforms
The school colors are green and gold. The shield features a York Rose and a white open book with the motto Onward and Upward, while the crest shows a gold doe, symbolizing girls’ education and sportsmanship. Uniforms include a Black Watch tartan kilt, blazer, and a white polo shirt with the school crest; primary students wear a Black Watch tunic.