1993 – The Vision

Mulgrave School sprang to life in September 1993, when the Board of Directors responsible for operating the West Vancouver Montessori School employed Linda Hamer as Head of School. The vision was to create a new independent, non-denominational school on the North Shore.

Under the leadership of the Head, the Board and fellow parents from the West Vancouver Montessori School sought to provide an education for their children that would match and continue the excellence of experience enjoyed in their pre-school and kindergarten years.  Life for Mulgrave began in a portable classroom on property adjacent to the Montessori facilities. Throughout the months that followed, the Board of Directors searched for a suitable site to expand the school.

1994 – The Early Years

During the school year of 1994/95, the student population expanded into a split Grade 1/2.  In September 1994, the Mulgrave Independent School Society became a separate entity from the Independent School Society of West Vancouver.  The newly established Board of Mulgrave School then began a series of complex municipal negotiations and hearings, which resulted in the securing of leased facilities at the North Shore Winter Club in North Vancouver in September 1995, where the school remained for the next five years. Throughout this time the Board of Directors worked diligently to fulfil its mandate of securing a permanent site to realise the Mulgrave dream of offering a complete school K-12 programme.

2001 – A Permanent Home In A Spectacular Setting

After an extensive search, the school purchased a permanent location at Cypress Bowl Lane and moved in September 2001. An exquisite property with extensive views of the ocean and the mountains, the stunning 100,000 square foot school has developed further to feature spacious and well-equipped classrooms, cutting-edge science labs, double and single gym, 25,000 volume library, and 400-seat theatre.

2004 – A look to the future

Having focused on establishing Mulgrave School as a strong consideration for North Shore parents, Linda Hamer retired from Mulgrave in 2002 to take on new challenges. The appointment of Mulgrave’s new permanent Head of School Tony Macoun in September 2004, ensured that Mulgrave reached capacity enrolment of 750 students in 2006. Together with the energy of the original dream and the experienced leadership and vision of Tony Macoun, Mulgrave, became a fully authorised International Baccalaureate World School.

2008 – Early Learning Centre

In 2008, Mulgrave expanded their programme to include an Early Learning Centre (ELC) for children aged 3 and 4 years. While a newly constructed state-of-the art facility was being built, the ELC was located off site in West Vancouver. Faculty and students moved into a brand new facility on the Mulgrave campus during the summer of 2010. Upon Tony Macoun’s retirement in 2010, the new facility was dedicated in his honour, and is now the Tony Macoun Centre for Early Learning.  

2010 – New Beginnings

The fall of 2010 marked the first year of the ELC on the main Mulgrave campus and the arrival of a new Head of School, John Wray, from Hong Kong.