The pursuit of academic excellence is a fundamental aim of the School. Students are expected, therefore, to reach levels of achievement that reflect their best in terms of ability, attitude, and effort.
To support these goals, class sizes are relatively small, and in subject areas where it is advantageous to do so, students are grouped according to ability. While addressing prescribed BC provincial learning outcomes, our academic curricula in all subjects and at all grades reflect our mission as a university preparatory school. Courses are developed and student programmes are shaped to prepare our graduates successfully for post-secondary education.
The pursuit of academic excellence is a cornerstone of the Brentwood programme. Teacher expectations are high. New students quickly recognize that academic progress depends on individual effort, persistence, focus, and respect for the learning environment, both in class and during "prep", the weekday evening sessions of supervised, silent study. They see that Brentwood teachers and students value academic success. They learn from Aristotle that "excellence is not an act, but a habit". Through the advisor system, teacher support and critique, and the evening prep routine, they learn that academic habits can be acquired. One hundred percent of our Grade 12 class graduates. Almost all apply to, and are accepted at university, from U.B.C. and McGill, to Berkley, Princeton, and MIT.
Exceeding prescribed B.C. provincial learning outcomes, the Brentwood curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses. All Brentwood students must take mathematics, a foreign language (with some exceptions), humanities, and at least one science up to and including Grade 11. Students are required to study English through Grade 12.
Elective streams in the senior school include challenging programmes in
- Science and Mathematics (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Geology, Science and Technology, Calculus);
- English and Humanities (Literature, History, Geography, Psychology, Art History, Global Studies, Comparative Government and Politics, Comparative Civilizations);
- Business and Technology (Information Technology, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Financial Accounting);
- Modern Languages (French, Spanish, and the opportunity to challenge the German, Japanese, and Mandarin provincial exams).
Academic skill development emphasizes critical thinking, writing, reading, using technology effectively, and working individually and as part of a team.
Full Year Academic Courses
|
English 9, 10, 11, 12, 12AP Mathematics 9, 10, 11, 12 Modern Languages Business & Information Technology |
Science 9, 10 21st Century Studies 9 |
Social Studies 9, 10, 11
* Denotes Grade 10 Electives |