Pearson College UWC provides two distinct two-year educational pathways for students aged 16-19: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the Climate Action Leadership Diploma (CALD), an innovative alternative to the traditional IB curriculum.

Average class size: 13

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Core components

Theory of Knowledge: Students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we claim what we know.

The Extended Essay: An independent, self-directed piece of research finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Students take part in a range of experiences and at least one project.

Subjects

• Studies in language and literature: English Language & Literature, English Literature, Chinese Literature, French Language & Literature, Spanish Language & Literature, School Supported Self-Taught Literature
• Language acquisition: English B, French B, French Ab initio, Spanish Ab initio

• Individuals and societies: Economics, History, Global Politics, Philosophy

• Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Marine Science

• Mathematics: Mathematics – Analysis and Approaches, Mathematics – Applications and Interpretation

• The arts: Visual Arts, Theatre, Performance
  

Pearson College UWC’s innovative alternative pathway is for students with a passion for tackling the most pressing issue facing humanity – climate change. The Climate Action Leadership Diploma (CALD) is an IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) for 16-19 year-olds wanting to specialise in climate leadership.

The CALD curriculum leverages unique programmatic strengths: the location on the shores of the Salish Sea and amongst the old-growth forests of Vancouver Island, a commitment to collaboration and community building with indigenous elders and knowledge keepers, support for local partnerships with outstanding educational institutions and community leaders and a deliberately diverse cohort of inspired students. The curriculum is designed in alignment with UWC values, the IBCP, partnerships with local universities – Camosun College, Vancouver Island University and Royal Roads University – and informed by an analysis of what the world and our students need through the lenses of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and global intersectional movements for change and solidarity.

Co-curricular

All students at UWC complete a co-curricular programme called Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) – an integral part of the IB qualification. Students get the opportunity to choose a physical, a creative and a social service activity.

In addition to classrooms, labs and a specialised marine sciences building, as well as trails and idyllic natural surroundings, Pearson has a number of amenities from meeting rooms and lodging, to bike, kayak and boat rentals.

Residential accommodation:

There are ten rooms in each residence house and each room is usually shared by four to five students from various countries. Each student has a desk, a bed and a closet. Each house has a place to relax and rejuvenate and were recently renovated to include fully equipped kitchens. Each residence has two houseparents who are responsible for the smooth running of the house.

Medical provision and well-being support

• Full health and wellness team 

• Two full-time nurses 

• Nurse practitioner

• Clinical counsellors 

• Pearson College Emergency response Team (PCERT)

Academic and emotional wellbeing

The Dean of Students promotes and preserves the health and well-being of students and community life at the College in collaboration with the health & wellness team, House Parents (parents providing residential support to students), adult residents, advisors, the host family coordinator and other community members.