An Innovative Education From Early Childhood To Grade 12. Welcome to Unisus School in Summerland, BC Canada. We are a day and full-time boarding school with students from the local Okanagan area and from countries around the world. We are proud to be the unique school that truly commits to international-mindedness where students' daily life involves different perspectives, languages, and cultures.
Our school was founded to nurture the leaders and innovators of tomorrow. Our curriculum focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and inquiry-based learning. The opportunity for your child is endless and we look forward to meeting your family. Technology and innovation have transformed the way we live and work, yet the current education system and the classroom environment have remained virtually the same for decades. At Unisus, we are leading the change in education by integrating the latest and best practices in teaching and learning from around the world.
Our Students Will Be Equipped With The Tools And Skills To Excel In Tomorrow's World. Our trans-disciplinary focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) will prepare our students to take on leadership roles driving change and innovation. Our proximity to, and partnership with, cutting-edge technology companies in the Okanagan Valley create exciting opportunities for our students to experience and learn about entrepreneurship.
Striking A Balance Between Proven Learning Models And Providing The Freedom To Explore Passions And Interests. We believe our students should have strong foundational skills. They should be global-minded and collaborative thinkers. It is also important for our students to express their creativity and pursue their curiosity.
A key focus at Unisus is to foster your child’s understanding and appreciation of the global society that we live in today. Through our global partners, our students have an unparalleled opportunity to go abroad and experience deep cultural immersion. We also bring the world to Summerland by inviting international students and their families to come and experience all that we have to offer.
Unisus Junior School is a candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme and pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improving the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high-quality programs of international education that share a powerful vision. We welcome you to visit or contact us and learn about our program.
The program incorporates local and global issues into the curriculum, asking students to look at six related, transdisciplinary themes and to learn the links between them. The goal is for the student to take their learning out of the classroom and take action as a result of their learning. Another objective of the program is for students to develop positive personal attitudes towards learning, people, and the environment.
Learning goes beyond the classroom walls as subjects are taught in unison surrounding concepts that reflect real-life issues. Subject matter in various disciplines will be explored in unison and at a deeper level so that transfer outside the classroom may occur. Students will show their skills and knowledge in a final culminating exhibition. They will have an opportunity to showcase their collaborative efforts, communication, action, research, and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) skills. This project will delve into an academic interest that is of importance to the student.
Unisus School is a candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improving the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high-quality programs of international education that share a powerful vision.
At Unisus, students are guided to make practical connections between school and the real world, as they study in a more interdisciplinary environment. As active learners, students will culminate the program with the Personal Project and will explore an area of interest by completing an independent product that may be creative or research-based. In the middle years, community service is a focus and students can be seen making a difference in their community, abroad, and for the environment. The goal is to prepare young people to think critically, communicate effectively, innovate, and lead empathetically.
Focus on people and on technologies that enable people to realize their full potential. Our focus on people begins with a team of advisors who are experienced, strong, and diverse. These advisors share our values and are committed to our vision. They in turn hire the best educators from around the world who share our passion and commitment to improving the way we educate our students today. Please note: Unisus School is a candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). Unisus School is also pursuing authorization as an IB World School.
Our interdisciplinary inquiry-based approach to learning is enabled by the application of proven state-of-the-art technology to learning. Students are inspired to learn and to excel in areas of their interest. As part of our effort to educate global thinkers and leaders, competency in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese will allow our students to communicate with over 90% of the global population. We offer these languages starting from kindergarten.
Unisus School was founded on the desire to create an exceptional learning institution in the heart of the Okanagan. Significant resources have been utilized to ensure that from the beginning, Unisus is offering a world-class curriculum with dedicated and engaged teachers. To grow a new school takes patience, but we are sure that within a few short years Unisus will be recognized as a top BC School.
This growth requires dedication and perseverance, but perhaps it is the early arrivals to the school who benefit the most. We are still small and we can pay a great deal of attention to each student’s needs. Every child is known by all the staff. There is a great sense of community – and an entrepreneurial spirit of families who are benefiting from the strong learning environment.
The school is based on a few sound principles. First, our location and site create wonderful outdoor education opportunities. We will continue to develop this part of our curriculum so that students in all grades gain an appreciation of the environment and a sense of adventure as they try new activities.
Second, the collective experience of the founding team is rooted in the International Baccalaureate, the world’s top educational framework. We are on target to be fully authorized in all 3 programs in the shortest possible time: We are already a candidate school for both the IB Primary Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. We all believe that the overall philosophy of the IB provides us a global foundation.
It is that international experience that is our third focus. Our Senior School will attract students from around the world, who will stay in a new and welcoming residence facility. They will learn using proven innovative strategies that pay attention to independence and engagement. We are developing partnerships with schools around the world so that our outlook goes well beyond Summerland. The mix of local and international students will create a unique global perspective.
You can also see that we are emphasizing math, science, engineering, and technology, while at the same time understanding that students need strong foundations in humanities and the arts. Indeed, the IB itself ensures that students have a well-balanced education.
We believe that our mission is to prepare our students for an increasingly unknown future. We will create thinkers who can analyze information and determine what is useful, and what is not. Our graduates will have developed a personal and independent approach to their learning and will be able to approach problems and issues from a variety of perspectives, and through critical and creative thinking, come up with inventive solutions.
All of this is in a very nurturing environment. All of us care about every student and want to engage with parents as partners in this journey through primary and secondary education.
In the end, it is the quality of the teaching staff that makes the difference. We have been looking globally for the best teachers possible, and you will experience their special contributions daily. They have taught all around the world, and are trained as International Baccalaureate practitioners. The culture is collaborative and supportive, striving for excellence through constant reflection and commitment to modern approaches to teaching.
