1. Glenlyon Norfolk School is situated in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Victoria is one of Canada’s most beautiful
and safest cities. Its location on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in a sub-Mediterranean zone keeps the climate
temperate—an average of 9°C in winter and 20°C in summer. It rarely snows in Victoria and rainfall averages 665 ml,
approximately half that ofVancouver, BC and Seattle,Washington.
With a population of 350,000, Victoria is a small city. But it is close to major cities: Vancouver is a 15-minute flight
away, and Seattle, Washington, is a 25-minute flight. It doesn’t take long to get from one place to another in Victoria. It
is home to the University of Victoria, one of the finest universities in the country, and Camosun College, which offers a
university transfer program.
History
The history of Glenlyon Norfolk School begins 100 years ago with the founding of Norfolk House School for girls in 1913.
Glenlyon Preparatory School for boys was started in 1935. Both were modelled on the British schools familiar to their
founders. In 1986 the two schools amalgamated to provide a continuum of a distinctly Canadian education for students
in Kindergarten through Grade 12.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme
In a world where technology can provide us with facts in an instant, the best education is about learning to ask the right
questions. It is about how to discern the truth and relevance of facts. An International Baccalaureate education teaches
both skills.
In 1996, GNS was accredited to offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP). The DP is recognized by leading world
universities as one of the best predictors of success for post-secondary studies. It is outstanding preparation for
university and is highly regarded globally. Universities frequently give IB students preference for admission based on
their high level of preparedness. At present, more than 175 Canadian and 1,600 US post-secondary institutions have
established IB recognition policies and 42 Canadian universities have scholarships specifically for DP students.
GNS also offers the IB Primary and Middle Years Programmes.
2. GNS Snap Shot
Academics, Debating and Public Speaking, Soccer and student
initiative all come to mind when people hear the name Glenlyon
Norfolk School. Families visiting the school often comment on the
warm, friendly environment and note that the students are engaged
and happy.
• 100% of students are accepted to the universities of their choice
• Since 1986, at least one GNS student a year has qualified at the
Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair to go on to the Canada
Wide Science Fair. One of our young scientists was recently
named one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 for an invention he began
working on for a science fair while at GNS.
• GNS is the only school in the history of BC to win the provincial
debate championships two years in a row.
• The Senior Girls and Boys soccer teams consistently win Island
and Provincial A championships.
• Senior school enrolment is approximately 300—large enough to
support many diverse opportunities, but small enough that each
student receives individual attention.The average class size is 15.
• At GNS there are many leadership opportunities including
positions in band and choir, student prefects, service projects
and the annual Change Conference, a student-led conference
empowering youth to make constructive change.
University Placement
GNS takes university placement seriously. University advisors work
closelywithstudentsinGrades10through12toguidethemthroughthe
universityapplicationprocessandscholarshipapplications.University
scholarships offered to our graduating students in 2012 totalled over
$550,000. Our counsellors also arrange for admission staff from
universities throughout Canada, the US and Europe to visit GNS in
order to provide information to students. Please refer to the adjacent
sidebar for a list of universities offering spaces to our graduates in the
last two years.
Admissions Process
Glenlyon Norfolk School is pleased to accept applications from
students who have the potential to be successful in a university
preparatory program, and who are keen to contribute to the life of the
school.
Application
Application is made by completing the application for admission form
thatmaybedownloadedfromourwebsitewww.mygns.ca.Pleasesend
the completed application to: Admissions, Glenlyon Norfolk School,
801 Bank Street, Victoria, BC, V8S 4A8. Include with the application
form, the application for admission and testing fee, a translated copy
of your last year-end and most recent school report, and a letter of
reference. Once these have been received we will make arrangements
for you to write the entrance tests. SSAT results are also accepted.
Positions are offered pending availability of space and the successful
completion of our admissions requirements. Family Boarding
placement is considered once the application is complete.
Universities that offered admission
to GNS graduates:
Acadia University
Carleton University
Cornell University (USA)
Dalhousie University
Georgia Institute of Technology (USA)
Harvard University (USA)
London School of Economics (UK)
Louisiana State University (USA)
Milwaukee College of Art and Design (USA)
McGill University
New York University (USA)
Queen’s University
Royal Holloway College, University of London (UK)
Simon Fraser University
St. Francis Xavier University
Swiss Hotel Management School (Switzerland)
University of Alberta
University of Boston (USA)
University of British Columbia
University of Calgary
University of California – Los Angeles (USA)
University of California – San Diego (USA)
University of Guelph
University of Saskatchewan
University of Toronto
University of Victoria
University of Waterloo
University of Western Ontario
Vancouver Film School
Durham University
Emily Carr University
L’Ermitage School
Neuchatel Junior College
New England Conservatory of Music
University of Connecticut
University of Salamanca
University of Southern California
3. ESL
ESL tutorial support is available for students who do not
speak English as a first language. Transitional support is
offered to students applying for Grades 8 and 9 and tutorial
support is provided to students applying for Grades 10
to 12. Ideally applicants to Grades 10 to 12 have spent
time studying in English in an English-speaking country.
Students requiring ESL support will be assessed and the
appropriate level of ESL support provided. Assessment
tools include the Secondary Level of English Proficiency
(SLEP) Test, Stanford Achievement (SAT) tests in Reading
Comprehension, a written assignment, and an oral interview
conducted in person or over the phone.
Family Boarding
For over 20 years Glenlyon Norfolk School has been
arranging family boarding for international students
attending the school. The mandate for the Family Boarding
Program is to provide a supportive, safe, nurturing, English-
speaking environment for international students.
Family Boarding Families
Family boarding families are very carefully selected. Every
effortismadetomatchthestudent’sinterestswiththoseof
the family. Students are usually placed with families whose
own children are attending, or have attended, GNS. These
families know the school, its culture, and its values. They
work with teachers and staff to ensure the best possible
learning experience for their student.
GNS looks for family boarding families who are interested in welcoming a new member to the family. They are open-
minded, appreciative of cultural differences and understand that the role they have makes a huge contribution to the
speedatwhichlanguageisacquiredandtotheoverallimpressionsandmemoriesastudentwillhaveoftheirtimeatGNS.
Familyboardingisoftenthebeginningoflong-lastingfriendships.Oneparentcomments,“WehadKazukiwithusforfour
years—Grade 9 to Grade 12. He quickly became a member of our family and remains so to this day. Our children continue to
teasehimaboutbeingthefavouritechild.”Anothersays,“Yukinawasawonderfuladditiontoourfamily.Shelivedwithusfor
fiveyearsforGrade8toGrade12.Wegainedaninsightintoanothercultureandbecamefriendswithherfamily.Wecontinue
to stay in touch with them. Having a family boarding student was an amazing educational experience for us all.”
The Students
Moving to a new city, a new school and into a new family
is a challenge. And if you add to this the challenges of
language and cultural differences, there is no question that
international students demonstrate great courage. They
leave the comfort and security of home for the adventure
of a new life and family. However, for those who take this
risk, the rewards can be huge. A whole new world of family,
friends, education and language is opened up.
Luqi (far left) moved to Canada from China in 2008.
He is pictured here with his GNS classmates who are
enrolled in the Outdoor Recreational Leadership 11
course. Outdoor skill acquisition, fitness training, community service and expeditions are all components of
the popular course. This photo was taken during an expedition to magnificent Strathcona Park, located in the
middle of Vancouver Island. “It was beautiful there. I loved it!” Luqi says.
4. For more information, please contact our Admissions Office: admissions@mygns.ca or 250.370.6801.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Fabian is from
Germany and came
to GNS for the IB
Diploma Programme.
“My family boarding
family has been
extremely helpful and
supportive. For sure
I would recommend
the GNS experience
to other international
students.”
Francina came to GNS from Majorca, Spain. She is
pictured here as Jacqueline Kennedy, the important
person from history she chose to research for her
Grade 8 Gallery of Fame project. “GNS is a family.
I’ve enjoyed everything about my experience here.
I feel very sad to leave.”
Akira, from Japan,
is an IB Diploma
candidate and a
valuable member
of our senior boys
basketball team.
He chose to do the
IB because of the
interesting courses
and because of the
many post-secondary
opportunities open to IB students. Akira comments,
“At my boarding school I didn’t have a lot of contact
with adults. I wanted to have interesting conversations
with mature people. That’s why the family boarding
situation appealed to me. My sister also attended GNS
and she had great experiences here.”
Yukina attended GNS for five years. She is pictured
here with her family boarding parents on the
occasion of her graduation from GNS.
Glenlyon Norfolk School: 801 Bank Street, Victoria, BC Canada V8S 4A8
www.mygns.ca
