With deep gratitude and respect, we are honoured to be learning and unlearning on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) & səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). Renfrew Elementary Community School has been a proud member of the Renfrew Collingwood neighbourhood since 1928.  The school is in the heart of a residential community, within walking distance of Still Creek, the Renfrew Ravine and the Renfrew Community Centre and library. Like neighboring elementary schools, Renfrew is part of the Windermere Family of Schools.

Renfrew Elementary has a student body of over 450 students from Kindergarten to Grade 7.  Students reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community, comprising of families identifying with Indigenous and settler cultures, from within Canada and our global community.  Renfrew families are ethnically diverse and speak a variety of languages including Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Farsi, Spanish, Punjabi, Arabic and Hindi. This diversity is an asset to the school community, providing a unique and enriching environment for students to learn and grow. It also presents opportunities for cultural exchange, understanding, and appreciation among students, staff, and families.

We offer two distinct educational programs at Renfrew: the neighborhood program, a K-7 program for students residing within the school catchment, and a district Montessori program, a K-7 program utilizing the Montessori approach.  At Renfrew, many students receive music education under the expertise of a music specialist teacher.  Students and staff are privileged to have the assistance of a part-time Youth and Family Worker and an area counsellor. These staff members enhance the social and emotional well-being of students by supporting extracurricular activities, fostering social-emotional learning in classrooms and small group environments, and liaising with the Windermere Community Schools Team Coordinator.   The dedicated school staff work collaboratively to provide a positive and nurturing educational experience for all students. The emphasis on collaboration and creating an inclusive and equitable environment aligns with best practices in education.

Renfrew Elementary School boasts a large and accessible outdoor area, as well as a school garden.  These outdoor spaces provide opportunities for physical activity, recreation, and outdoor learning experiences.  School gardens provide a hands-on and engaging way for students to connect with nature and offer students a chance to learn about sustainability, biology, and healthy eating habits while instilling a sense of responsibility and connection to the natural world.

Renfrew School is deeply connected to its community, prioritizing not only the academic development of students but also fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.  We have a well-attended Strong Start Program that registers students from birth to pre-Kindergarten.   Many of the Strong Start students continue into Kindergarten at Renfrew. The partnership between Strong Start and our Kindergarten program is something we value, and we are committed to strengthening the early years to Kindergarten transition through collaboration and strong relationships. Every spring, our Renfrew staff collaboratively plan a Welcome to Kindergarten event with community partners welcoming incoming Kindergarten students and their parents to the school. We are home to on-site before and after school program facilitated by Collingwood Neighborhood House that provides care to 61 students.  Additionally, some after-school programming is provided at Renfrew by the Community Links Team (CST), and a variety of community groups.

 The Renfrew Parent Advisory Council (PAC) supports many opportunities and initiatives at Renfrew. They fund Saleema Noon’s Body Science workshops for all students, contribute financially to field trips, classroom funds, performances and specialized programs. PAC members help at many events for students including a PAC run hot lunch program, providing healthy snacks for students at our Sports Day, presenting at our Welcome to Kindergarten and Meet the Teacher Night and helping with our Winter Breakfast. The PAC is actively involved in our school community, holding monthly meetings and a variety fundraising initiatives to support school priorities.

We continue to invest in updated technology for student use, with the support of the Renfrew PAC. Intermediate students have utilized technology in their learning by accessing the school Future PLAY Lab for STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art and math), using laptops and iPads, Smartboards in some classrooms and robotics kits. The FuturePLAY Lab became fully functional in January 2021 and is an asset to student learning. This lab is used by intermediate teachers for their students to engage in a myriad of STEAM related activities.

Renfrew offers students the opportunity to take on many service and leadership roles and provides access to volunteer teacher sponsored extra-curricular activities in sports such as Track and Field, Cross Country, badminton and volleyball.  Students are responsible and keen to be involved in initiatives. We have a high level of participation in our Inclusion Club driving many student initiatives in addition to initiatives that are led by students through Student Council. There is excellent student engagement in teacher-sponsored opportunities such as Talent Shows, Chess Club, Running Club, Bookworm Club and fundraising bake sales.

Intermediate students can be counted on to positively contribute to the school and greater community through their participation in service and other leadership opportunities. In their learning, students report enjoying being at school and they understand and follow the school ‘Circle of Courage’ Code of Conduct, with a focus on taking care of themselves, each other and the community.

Renfrew Elementary has a comprehensive set of programs and partnerships to enhance the educational experience and support the needs of its students and families. The combination of traditional neighborhood schooling, Montessori education, early learning initiatives, and community involvement through partnerships contributes to a diverse and well-rounded educational environment for all students.