After-school
Afterschool Program
North Burnaby after-school program near Kitchener Elementary offering Chinese class, art and drawing, games, crafts, and other extracurricular activities.
ChineseChildcareArt
Back to schools
Rating
4
5-year avg
4.2
Rank
894/1032
2026 report · 2024-2025 school year
Quick take
School review information
Thunderbird Elementary is a deeply community-focused inner-city school that prioritizes student well-being, inclusivity, and holistic support. While its academic ratings on standardized tests are low, the school excels in providing essential services—such as food programs, specialized learning support, and after-school care—to a diverse population. It is an excellent fit for families who value a nurturing, community-hub environment with strong extracurricular and social-emotional supports, though parents seeking top-tier academic rankings may want to look elsewhere.
Editorial review summary
Public parent reviews and discussions are limited, but community signals highlight the school's deeply caring environment and strong wrap-around support for families. Parents and community members appreciate the dedicated staff and the school's seamless integration with the attached Thunderbird Community Centre, which provides easy access to preschool, before/after-school care, and day camps. The daily breakfast and hot lunch programs are frequently praised for supporting student well-being. While some discussions note the socioeconomic challenges of the surrounding neighborhood, they emphasize the school's vital role as a safe, welcoming, and inclusive hub for its diverse student body.
Common positives
- Comprehensive wrap-around services, including daily hot breakfast and lunch programs.
- Strong community integration, physically attached to the Thunderbird Community Centre for easy access to childcare and recreation.
- Dedicated support staff, including a Youth and Family Worker, Neighbourhood Assistant, and Literacy Teacher.
- Valuable community partnerships with organizations like the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.
- Robust athletics program with high participation in city championships.
Common concerns
- Low Fraser Institute academic rating (4/10) and below-average standardized test scores.
- Located in a neighborhood with higher socioeconomic vulnerability.
- High proportion of students requiring additional English language (ELL) or specialized learning support, which can impact classroom dynamics.
Who this school may fit
Recommended for families who prioritize a supportive, inclusive community environment with excellent wrap-around services, on-site childcare, and strong extracurricular programs. Not recommended for families whose primary focus is high standardized test scores or top provincial academic rankings.
Ratings and data
Academic information
Thunderbird Elementary holds a Fraser Institute rating of 4/10, ranking 894 out of 1032 schools in British Columbia, with a 5-year average of 4.2. As a designated Enhanced Services Tier One Inner City school, it serves a highly diverse and vulnerable student population, with approximately 50% of students being English Language Learners (ELL). While standardized test scores are below the provincial average, the school's academic approach is heavily supported by specialized staff, including a full-time Literacy Teacher, a Youth and Family Worker, and partnerships with the Learning Disabilities Society (LDS). The school focuses on holistic education, foundational literacy, and providing inclusive learning spaces like a sensory room and a Learning Lab to address individual learning barriers.
Sources include Fraser Institute data and InsideVan School Guide summaries. Ratings do not represent the full quality of a school.
School-run details
Special programs
Enhanced Services Tier One Inner City Support (Breakfast and Lunch Programs)KidSafe and Kid's First After-School ProgramsIndigenous Education and Truth & Reconciliation InitiativesSarah McLachlan School of Music PartnershipLearning Disabilities Society (LDS) PartnershipExtensive Athletics (Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Track & Field)
Common questions
Where is Thunderbird Elementary located?+
Thunderbird Elementary is located at 2325 Cassiar St, Vancouver, BC, V5M 3X3 in Vancouver.
Does Thunderbird Elementary have after-school pickup options?+
InsideVan currently tracks 0 programs that explicitly serve this school and 2 nearby after-school options.
Are there tutors near Thunderbird Elementary?+
InsideVan currently lists 5 nearby tutor or academic enrichment options that may work for families around this school.
Are there kids classes near Thunderbird Elementary?+
InsideVan currently lists 4 nearby kids class or activity options.
After-school programs and classes near Thunderbird Elementary
0 after-school programs explicitly serve this school, 2 are nearby within 3km, plus 5 tutors and 4 class options.
Find pickup programs
Nearby within 3km, no pickup provided from this school
Tutors near Thunderbird Elementary
Find math, reading, language, and academic enrichment tutors around this school.
Nearby tutors
Classes near Thunderbird Elementary
Shown within about 3km of the school, excluding dedicated after-school and tutoring programs.
Nearby classes and activities
After school
2
pickup or nearby
Nearby tutors
5
nearby options
Nearby classes
4
nearby options
After-school pickup
See pickup and nearby options first
0 explicitly serve this school, plus 2 nearby within 3km.
What this page covers
Thunderbird Elementary school information
Thunderbird Elementary is a elementary school in Vancouver. This page brings together school ratings and rankings, school programs, 2 after-school options, nearby tutors, and kids classes so families can compare the school and after-school fit in one place.
Sources & data context
AI research sources
Researched: 2026-09-28
The AI summary uses public sources. Public parent commentary is separate from parent reports submitted to InsideVan. Ratings and history are supplied by our database.
Search website
Check programs, admission requirements, and day-to-day arrangements with the school.
Fraser Institute · 2026 report
The rating dataset used here covers 2024-2025. The five-year average belongs to that historical report, not the five years ending today.
Academic ratings do not capture the whole school experience, including belonging, support, or fit for your child. A nearby care provider does not necessarily offer school pickup; confirm with the provider.