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Our School

gns school mascott

GNS is comprised of 3 schools, 2 locations and 1 shared philosophy from First Steps to Grade 12.

Glenlyon Norfolk School students are fortunate to attend school on two historic campuses located in two beautiful neighbourhoods of Victoria, BC. At GNS, we believe that there is no single mould for students or predetermined idea of a graduate. Each student is given the opportunity to choose their own pathway and is supported in achieving success on their chosen journey.

The Beach Drive Campus

A magical waterfront setting in Oak Bay is home to our Junior School. Young students age three through Grade 5 learn at a school where the beach is their playground and sometimes even their classroom. The grounds include the original home of architect Francis Rattenbury. At the centre of the campus, this gracious, historical landmark hosts the French classroom, Learning Strategies, After School Care and offices.

In 2020, Glenlyon Norfolk School opened our state-of-the art 28,000 square foot Junior School main building and refurbished Coach House that includes the Grade 1 to 5 classrooms as well as these dedicated spaces for specialist instruction:

  • A high-performance gymnasium for physical education, co-curriculars, and assemblies
  • An art room with kiln
  • An open-plan Learning Commons
  • Gathering and break-out spaces
  • An Innovation Lab.

gns campus

The opening of this building marked the completion of a multi-year campus renewal project that began with the creation of new Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten spaces as well as the restoration of the Glenlyon boathouse. The grounds surrounding the buildings were also rejuvenated to incorporate additional playground space and an all-weather playing field.

The buildings were designed to create a school atmosphere that centres around inquiry-based learning and collaboration, a foundational element of the IB Primary Years Programme offered on this campus, which focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer in the classroom and the world outside. An award-winning Nature School program is also offered to our Junior School students.

The Pemberton Woods Campus

Nestled in the six acres of the Pemberton Woods Campus are the Glenlyon Norfolk Middle (Grades 6–8) and Senior (Grades 9–12) Schools. Buildings are connected by pathways that lead through small gardens, giving the campus a peaceful, university-like feeling. At the heart of the campus sits the historic Norfolk House Main Building, that was built in 1932.

Though separate, the Middle and Senior Schools share some facilities and programs, combining the advantages of age-appropriate approaches with an overall sense of community.

Facilities on-site include:

  • 340-seat performing arts hall
  • Art rooms, music and band rooms
  • Turf field
  • Gymnasium and fitness centre
  • Full-service Dining Hall
  • University Guidance Centre
  • Health and Wellness Centre
  • 2 learning commons and labs for science and design

Shared Educational Philosophy

The foundation of the GNS student experience is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. Comprised of three separate but complementary strands—the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) —this modern, inquiry-based approach to learning is designed to enable students of all abilities to find success in their studies and to develop the skills necessary to lead happy and rewarding lives. As an IB World Continuum school, we pride ourselves on delivering a program that ensures students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 learn foundation skills at a challenging level enabling them to develop higher-level thinking skills such as research, analysis, and synthesis.

Explore Our Campuses

How to Find Us

Middle and Senior Schools

781 Richmond Avenue
Victoria BC V8S 3Z2
Phone: +1-250-370-6800

Parking available in lots off Maddison Street or Richmond Avenue.

Delivery trucks should use 830 Maddison Street, Victoria BC V8S 4C2 and bring any packages to the Gryphon Door school store.

Directions From
Victoria Airport
Swartz Bay Ferry (BC Ferry from Vancouver)
Port Angeles Ferry
Victoria Harbour Seaplane Dock

Junior School

1701 Beach Drive
Victoria BC V8R 6H9
Phone: +1-250-370-6854

No parking available on-site.

Directions From
Victoria Airport
Swartz Bay Ferry (BC Ferry from Vancouver)
Port Angeles Ferry
Victoria Harbour Seaplane Dock