Why are we here?

Our Guiding Values

STEM Focus

Science and technology will be crucial to addressing society’s future challenges.

  • We believe Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) will play a crucial role in addressing the world’s challenges in the foreseeable future. VISST’s STEM focus equips our students with the ability to think logically, analyze and interpret data, and perform complex calculations. We believe these skills will be necessary not only in STEM careers such as mechanical engineering and AI research, but also other areas. If (or when!) VISST graduates become the next generation of business leaders, lawmakers and politicians, we will regard them with pride as they apply their foundational STEM skills to make evidence-based decisions that improve our society across sectors. STEM skills will also open doors for our graduates in almost any career path.

Striving

We believe in striving and continuously challenging ourselves, even if this means being uncomfortable along the way.

Character

Success is more than just good grades. Our students build both strong skills and a strong character.

  • At VISST, we work to cultivate not only academic success but also character traits like curiosity, grit, and humility. Our approach promotes justified self-confidence through a rigorous program that is delivered with the support students need to succeed. We cultivate curiosity through open-ended explorations and projects that don’t always have right answers. We cultivate grit by ensuring that failure is a normal, even celebrated, part of school. We cultivate humility by example: we are fallible human beings who admit when we’ve made mistakes, apologize where it’s due, and treat each other with respect.

Diversity

We believe science and technology should be for everyone.

  • We believe STEM is for everyone. VISST is a welcoming school where students from many backgrounds and walks of life come together to share their love of learning. That’s also why we’re on a mission to ensure that all students who are admitted to VISST are able to attend. With our sliding scale tuition model, supported by philanthropists, VISST’s outstanding education is made available to a very diverse group of motivated learners,

Student Buy-in

We respect students’ valuable time and involve students in decision-making.

  • Students often ask, “Why should I care about learning this?” Given the significant time and effort that school demands, we feel this is a fair question. At VISST, we make a point of being transparent about what we teach and why, explaining to students how the subject matter fits in to the real world and their future lives. Outside of the classroom, weekly school meetings provide an authentic opportunity for students to make their voice heard and vote on important issues impacting them and the school.

Dialogue

A place where students and teachers feel safe to express views and engage in constructive debate.

  • In our increasingly polarized society, having honest conversation is becoming increasingly difficult. At VISST we value diversity of opinions. Real learning happens at the intersection of opposing and divergent beliefs, and the best learners are those who can alter their thinking when they’re exposed to new knowledge - ideally knowledge that they welcome and even seek out rather than shy away from or discount. We want our graduates to feel comfortable with disagreement, be able to speak their minds, and stand up for what they believe in, and that starts with a safe space to talk, to disagree, and to debate.

What makes VISST different?

  • A progressive tuition model that accounts for each family’s circumstances - we don’t want tuition to be a barrier to a great education.

  • An integrated curriculum where teachers forge connections between subjects.

  • Transparent and open communication between the school, students, and parents.

  • A place where students take responsibility for, and take care of, the facilities and each other.

  • Cultivating curiosity and having fun as explicit goals of the school — learning new things is not the only metric for success. 

  • A learning environment where all students want to be there and are excited to learn.

  • Clear connections between school subjects and life outside of school; students won’t be left wondering, Why am I learning this?


*Listen 🔊 here to VISST co-founder Dr. Mike Gelbart and interviewer Jas Johal discuss what makes VISST different! From the Jas Johal Show, CKNW Radio, September 2022.

Our Commitments

Our Commitment to…

Students

To collaborate with and respect you, and equip you with the justified self-confidence to pursue what delights you.

Teachers

To support you in doing work you are proud of, understanding that this will sometimes be with support and resources and at other times with trust and autonomy.

Parents

To partner with you in the important work of guiding your children with integrity and respect, and support you as a member of our village of families, educators, and learners.

Society

To nurture future leaders who will inhabit their stations with compassion and humility, with an understanding of their important roles in the betterment of our society.