Student Testimonials

ABOUT / STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

MEMORABLE QUOTES

William G.

“The small class sizes were very helpful. I got the chance to get involved and to truly learn. Thanks to CVA, I am one step closer to my dream of being an engineer.”

University of York (Engineering)

Greta K.

“The teachers at CVA saw the potential in me; and thanks to them, my grades improved. I was accepted into top universities! CVA paved my way to success.”

University of Toronto (Business Management)

Crystal C.

"I once doubted what I could accomplish, but my teachers never gave up on me. They are my instructors, mentors, friends. Here, I've learned nothing is impossible."

University Of British Columbia
(Commerce – Sauder)

HEARING FROM OUR STUDENTS

Brittany Zhang (2019)

1. What were some fun moments in CVA? I think the most interesting moments in CVA are the weekly student council meetings at noon, where we can put forward our opinions for a better learning environment for thestudents, and in the process of discussion, we can enhance our relationship with each otherand become more integrated into the school community. 2. Talk about a school activity day that impressed you. I think the most impressive school event was Halloween 2019, because I was a member ofthe student council so I participated in the whole event from planning to implementing and carrying out the event. Everyone in the school had their own costume theme, and some of my best friends and I dressed up as "Witch in Prison". I especially loved when all the teachers dressed up in their own costumes – the whole school was in a frenzy! 3. What was your biggest improvement in school? I think the biggest improvement I made at school is that I learned to fit in with the group. I used to be very withdrawn at school, not very fond of making friends and talking with teachers, and I felt that teachers were very far away from us. But after I came to CVA, I began to think of us as one big group. I loved my teachers and classmates, and I became lively and cheerful. It became a pleasure to come to school every day! 4. What do you like most about school so far? Because the school is a small class system of education, I think the teachers always cared about each student's learning situation. They really helped the students learn how to progress. 5. What was your favorite subject during CVA? Why? I think it was physics class. I remember in my physics class, Mr Sy gave us a project to make a device to protect an egg, so it was fun and we learned many things at the same time! He let us learn more than just information from books. 6. Who was your favorite teacher? What do you remember about him or her? I think each of my teachers is very good! Ms Q is the first teacher I knew in this school. The first English class is taught by Ms Q. She is very patient with us and will chat with us after class. I liked her very much. Ms Gao is a very caring teacher; she teaches math class that I liked very much. Mr Sy is a teacher I respect very much. I still remember I used to go to his class in the morning at 9am, and he always came to the classroom early to prepare, and he was very patient with us. And Mr Lou, I really like his English class; he made us read many novels, which made me increase my vocabulary. 7. Is there anything you regret during your school days in CVA? If you had the chance to come back to CVA again, what would you do？ I think I have no regrets at this school haha, everything is perfect! If I had the chance to come back to CVA again, I would like to take another year of classes, haha! And cherish every minute of it!

MORE GRADUATE STORIES

Dylan Louie

2022

What has been the best moment in CVA? I've had many great moments throughout the year and perhaps the most memorable moment took place during the graduation party. It was a nice and easy day to wrap up the stressful senior year. I was able to enjoy the games made by our fellow classmates and had nice conversations with people that I had thought to be quite distant. This simple yet heartwarming experience along with the realization that the gap between people not being a huge deal at all came to me as the perfect finale to my high school career

Henry Yu

2021

During my high school period, I had an extraordinary experience. Who would have thought my suggestions could impact a group’s decision one day. Who would have thought I could play an essential role in the school. I wouldn't have thought I could understand the importance of teamwork and enjoy the moment when everyone is willing to make an ultimate decision for a group. These things I believe will delight my path. For me, the student council was a name for exploiting our students’ time. Because as I understand it, teenagers yearn to be adults and be recognized. However, the student council is completely made to satisfy this mental vainglory, especially those participating. The student council basically wouldn’t receive any substantial benefits. However, this thinking has gradually changed after I played a role in the student council. I understand that a sense of accomplishment and having teammates to support me can lead to happiness and a sense of security. These are precisely what the school gave me. The moment we argued about how we should step and step to create a party and the moment we saw everyone enjoy our party, which are definitely the most memorable memories of my high school period.

Jason Zhang

2021

I think the best part of my experience at school was that there were a lot of activities where we could work with each other, like board games and group assignments (English12 Hamilton), and even though I wasn't good at working with people, I still learned a lot from it and I'm thankful for that. In CVA, there are so many funny moments. One of the most memorable is every year on Halloween, there is always someone wearing funny pajamas with me at school. This is what I think is the most fun moment and it's my most moving moment. And also, every year we have different activities for different days, I love it! One of the most impressive school days for me was having the students do board games. I know it may not quite be considered an activity day, but it was certainly the most impressive of my student career so far. In my opinion, my biggest progress in school is that I am disciplining myself step by step. Before I couldn't control my time, but with the help of school I can discipline myself step by step to understand what I should do now. One of my favorite things about the school is that the teachers come up with all kinds of activities to inspire the students, like the board games I wrote about earlier. In CVA, my favorite teacher is Mr.Sy, and my favorite subject is math. I did my best to get high marks under heavy pressure in math class. In the time of the epidemic, in Mr.Sy's class, there was only one teacher and two students, but Mr.Sy didn't relax because there were less students, but worked hard as always. At the same time, I believe that all teachers at CVA are the same. I didn't regret anything at school, I just hated the epidemic that separated me from my friends. Luckily James Huang was still around at the time.

Yifan Zhang

2020

My name is Yifan Zhang. I graduated from CVA two years ago. That was always a fancy place in my memory. It’s so amazing that I can write these words now as a graduate because I used to feel helpless and a failure in my own academic career. As a non-native English-speaking international student, it is pretty hard to fit into the learning environment, which is even harder than the high school course itself. For most students in CVA, there is no doubt that similar situations have been experienced. That was a period of darkness. Compared to completing the academic requirements, it’s much harder to overcome the psychological difficulties where I constantly wonder if I really have the talent for learning or If I do not deserve to graduate and go to university. Pain and helplessness were what I had to face every day until I came to CVA. I met the teacher who saved the rest of my life in this small school which only has a total of 5 classrooms, and it’s not an exaggeration. They use their special teaching ability to prove that I can also succeed through hard work. There’s no discrimination and prejudice here. All dreams might come true. I juggle both studies and dance at CVA, and while growing up, this school also recorded the most important time in my life. Now I have become a Kpop dance instructor and am studying at the University of Alberta. All this credit is inseparable from the support of CVA all the way. I will never ever forget what I have experienced in CVA, a place which heals and makes me who I am. Yifan Zhang

Jason Cao

2020

Hello, my name is Jason. I graduated from City Vancouver Academy in the summer of 2019. I spent two happy years of high school there. I really learned a lot of things here. I still remember I was very bad at physics. But in Mr. Sy's class, I found my interest in studying again. His class was really interesting. I still remember that I spent several nights making a rock throwing machine in the class about mechanics. I really want to thank Mr. Sy for giving me a lot of advice when I was at my most confused. In CVA, I feel that teachers and students get along with each other like friends. Besides studying, we can talk to each other about life, travel, and even games. This high school life will become the most precious memories in my life!

YuhanGao

2019

Studying at CVA meant a lot to me. People do not get many chances to study in a school where everyone is close. All teachers were kind to me. They make the school become more like a family. Since Mr.Sy is the principal right now, I can say Mr.Sy is my favorite teacher though he put an F mark on my physics. He is kind but he wants to make sure everyone learns things. There were tons of memories I have in CVA. They took me to many places I had never been. The school and student council organized many events, which were fun and meaningful. I appreciate that I have a chance to escape my classes early, just to run the small snack store in school. I hope everybody who goes to CVA can have the same feeling as I do. I Hope they can all find what they truly like to do during the beautiful time they go to CVA.

Michael Tan

2017

My time at CVA was the most unforgettable part of my student career. I genuinely appreciate Mr. Sy, Mr. Lou and Mrs. Kao for helping me through grade 12 with patience, wisdom and genuine care. It’s not all about the courses I learned and the knowledge gained but the life lessons and motivation for me to pursue other things. Above all, they taught me the mindset: ”the ability to Move The World.”

Chris Yu

2022

CVA is a small, private independent school that mostly focuses on higher grader academics. The school can provide me with a better, warmer environment and nurturing teacher to the students that can help build up their confidence. With so many fun activities you can participate in, focused one-to-one study, and welcoming, friendly classmates that support each other First of all, CVA has a variety of fun events and a warm school spirit. All the students are interested in all the activities. Sometimes, the school can get a day off for entertainment and relaxation. The student council will prepare ahead for fun, festive parties during every significant holiday. We decorate the classrooms and hallways and make the atmosphere of the school fit with the holiday. On that day everyone can enjoy the party. Unlimited snacks and drinks that you can serve yourself on that day also, you can laugh along and enjoy many games our student council group created. CVA is such a welcoming community, and during the party, you can interact even more with your classmates and enhance your relationships with them through the exciting games. Moreover, at City Vancouver Academy, you have excellent opportunities to gain experience and knowledge for your future. As you can see from Google Reviews, if you search City Vancouver Academy, you will see a high rating and many compliments about the school from graduated students. CVA has a smaller classroom size, making it easier for students to learn and feel comfortable asking questions. The significance of this system is to provide the shy or quieter students with a more comfortable and safe space to ask questions and benefit from one-on-one teacher attention to help them figure out problems. The teachers are always happy and patient to help students solve the questions and learn the material. This system will benefit your academic learning and boost your confidence. More importantly, you can campaign for great leadership opportunities, such as becoming a student council member. The advantage of these experiences at CVA is that they will make your university application stronger, develop your communication skills and expand your networking. Overall, City Vancouver Academy is the perfect school for students who prefer more one-on-one student-teacher attention and are looking to change their lives for the better. While the students are studying and improving academically, they can also enjoy a warm and fun school community. At the same time, they can discover themselves and become leaders within a smaller independent school.

Vicky Dou

2021

I am very honored to write about my experiences as a member of CVA. What impressed me most was the decorations and activities of each festival . We gathered together to celebrate Christmas and exchanged gifts with our teachers and classmates under the Christmas tree. My favorite teachers are Mr Sy and MsGao. Thanks to their earnest and responsible work, my academic performance in CVA has been greatly improved.

James Huang

2021

The best experiences would be meeting a lot of great people and teachers and sharing the same unique experience with them. There are no specific fun moments I would say because the overall atmosphere is great. My favourite teacher would be Mr. Sy and Mr. Lou ofc, they’re kind, willing to teach, and nice to talk to. They are the type of nice like I will never be able to find another nice teacher like them.🤔 If I had a chance to come back to CVA again, I would probably want to play more board games with Mr. Lou, Mr. Sy, and my friends at CVA again.😢

Vivian Huang

2020

My favorite subject in CVA is physics. I used to hate physics when I was in high school until I met Mr. Sy. He is a great teacher that really knows what problems the students are suffering from and will explain the content slowly and patiently. Even now, I still remember the egg project that we did in class, it was a fun way to let us understand the content. Ever since I took his class, I have not been so averse to physics.

Andy Meng

2020

For me, the most unforgettable thing in CVA happened in physics class with Principal Sy. We had a project called the egg project. Our task was to use limited materials (such as balloons, chopsticks, spoons, etc.) to protect the eggs as much as possible. After making the protection, we threw the eggs from the second floor to the ground to test whether the eggs were perfectly protected. It took us about a week or two to make models. Some people used balloons to dampen the shock, others used sponges, and I used rubber bands. Although my egg was cracked in the end, I still think it is a very interesting project

Carolyn Fan

2019

Hello, everyone! My name is Carolyn Fan. I used to be the student council president of City of Vancouver Academy. Although I have graduated from this school, I have many fond memories. The students and teachers in the school are very friendly. There is no sense of class between teachers and classmates, and classmates and teachers get along like friends. The learning atmosphere in the school is very strong. The students actively asked the teacher questions they did not understand during the break, and the teachers were very willing to help the students. During my time at this school, what impressed me most was that we held events on every anniversary. We didn’t have regular classes on this day, we can play like friends with the teachers. During my tenure as the student council president, I led the whole school to play on the snow-capped mountains. Everyone was very happy and I was very fulfilled as the person who organized this event. Every teacher at CVA is very friendly to the students. I like every one of them. However, I most want to thank Mr.Sy and Ms.Gao, who are my physics teacher and math teacher, respectively. Thanks for their patience in teaching me. It is also because of them that I like science. In the end, I chose this major in computer science. High school life in CVA is very happy. Time is fleeting. Thank you very much to all the teachers at CVA for cultivating our students, which I will never forget in my life.

Mandy He

2017

I really enjoyed my term at CVA and I liked both Mr. H and Mr. Sy who taught pre-cal 12 and chemistry 12, respectively. It is a small class so it's easier to learn and ask questions and build close relationships with the teachers and classmates. Classes were fun and informative and additional school activities made the term even better. I was the president of the student council and my term was in fall so I organized a Halloween party and encouraged students to wear customs and compete for prizes. We also went to EXIT and had a buffet at the Casino restaurant by the end of term. Sometimes we would also have after-school board games like Werewolves and Avalon if students chose to stay. I only joined for one semester as I was retaking some classes but I got to join the boat cruise and the one-day whistler trip in the second semester as I was close with many of the students and teachers. Overall, it was a memorable experience going to school at CVA.

Aimee Mai

2022

CVA is a school with a great learning environment. I enjoy every day studying at CVA. The teachers are very responsible to the students; they are very kind and patient to help us when we have difficulties. In the student council, I am fortunate to be elected as the president, which is a great opportunity for me to exercise my speaking and leadership skills. At the meetings of the student council, I have more opportunities to communicate with my classmates and teachers and express a lot of my thoughts on activities and learning. I have always been shy before; after that, I became more confident. I am very grateful to CVA for giving me these precious experiences and memories, I believe it will help me a lot in the future. CVA gives me an unforgettable high school time.

Tina Wang

2021

I loved all the holidays I’ve celebrated and planned with the student council. For every Halloween, everyone wore costumes and had our little catwalk at the end of the day to compete for the best costumes prized. For Christmas, we would decorate our big fancy tree. My favourite part was the gift exchange. Everyone had a chance to prepare a diligent gift for others. When it was Chinese New Year, we made a lot of traditional foods and art works like calligraphy, paper cutting and folding dumplings. Celebrating New Year with CVA has always given me a feeling of home. I can not pick a favorite teacher because all of them are my favorite. Mr Sy and Mr Lou are both professional and humorous teachers. They always have something new and fun to tell you. Ms Kao was always kind and caring. The only regretful thing was we never got a chance to have our grad boat cruise due to the pandemic, which was supposed to be a memorable part of graduation for everyone. Though, we had a meaningful mini gard ceremony in CVA but we can not do much about my regrets right? Best wishes for future and present CVA students, Tina Wang Grad of 2021 Student Council Vice President

Alyssa Zhang

2021

1. Fun moments: Spring festival party ! Eating, socializing, and chatting, we really have a great time. And we got awesome bubble tea after that! 2. School activity day: badminton 🏸! It’s the first time I realized that I can play sports! And that’s the time I began to become really close with my friends. 3. I learn how to communicate and lead a team in an efficient and caring way. Teamwork and management is what I learned the most in these periods, I began to learn how to deal with different types of people, how to take everyone’s emotion into consideration and be a patient leader. 4.The favorite part is our activities and parties, a lot of meaningful and educational after school activities, which we play and learn. 5. My favorite course is calculus as always. 6. Mr. Sy , who really helps a lot with student council stuff, very caring and patient! 7. I regret not practicing how to roll the coke can to land in the prize zone. I literally have no prize at all and even have 2 punishments in that game. Ehhh

Kerwin Wang

2020

Hi, CVA students! I am the previous student council president. I just want to talk about how incredible it is to study in CVA with a friendly and passionate study environment. We planned and accomplished lots of activities, such as Chinese New Year, Graduation ceremony, and Halloween party. Specifically, the Halloween party gave me unforgettable memories. We made our own bonus system in which you participate in various games like chopsticks challenge, pumpkin carving and more to collect your points and become the final winner of the competition. It was such a good time back in CVA. I wish I could be there again.

Andy Guo

2020

Every holiday party I had a pretty good time, like when we had a kind of show at the end of the Halloween party. We played some little games and exchanged gifts at the Christmas party. Also we had a lot of good meals. I remembered the 2019 Christmas party where we exchanged gifts that we can snatch from other people. Ms Kao got a calculator from Mr Sy, that was really dramatic. We had some field trips in each term. Every time we went to different places like Science World, zoo, PNE...... The most important thing was we had the bonus mark after we attended the field trips. And I learned a lot in the student council. That was a great experience for me. I know the taste of failure. I’ll never forget that day our group was defeated. I also organized a great party that made me feel so proud. I regret that my chemistry and econ scores were not that good. I really wanted to return to that time and be more hardworking! I had many good memories in CVA and I hope that everyone in CVA will get better and better!!

Jaden Cai

2018

After graduating from CVA and entering university, I realized that I genuinely miss the days at CVA. One of the best things I like about CVA is that it combines academic studies and entertaining activities and successfully balances those two elements. I always looked forward to the annual Halloween activity where every student and teacher dressed up and had those fun games. Math and physics were always my least favorite and weakest subjects, but still I improved those two a lot during the two years of studies at CVA. I greatly appreciate Mr.Sy and Ms. Gao, two of my favorite teachers who improved my weakest subjects, and all the other teachers and staff members in my two years of studies at City Vancouver Academy.

CITY VANCOUVER ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL