The College: Our Unique Model Combining Academic Excellence and Personal Development
Cousteau Middle School builds its educational model on the French national curriculum, renowned for its high standards and the British Columbian program, blending the best teaching and learning practices from both French and Canadian approaches, all within a bilingual environment. Attending Cousteau Middle School is the best way to prepare for a bright, boundless future.
Middle School: Grade 6 to 9
Middle school at Cousteau represents the first four years of secondary education, where students strengthen their foundational knowledge while expanding into new areas of learning. Grade 6 serves as a transition year, bridging elementary and middle school. It consolidates essential skills while introducing students to new subjects and the structure of secondary education. Grades 7 to 9 deepen students’ academic understanding, foster critical thinking, and prepare them for high school and beyond—whether in French, Canadian, or international systems. At the end of Grade 9, students take the Diplôme National du Brevet, an official French national exam that validates their learning and marks an important milestone in their academic journey.
An Advanced and Bilingual Academic Program
Cousteau College offers a rigorous and advanced academic program based on a dual curriculum: the French Ministry of Education program and the British Columbia Ministry of Education program. Instruction is fully bilingual, with French and English as the primary languages of learning. Lessons are taught by a team of subject-matter specialists, allowing students to benefit from the expertise of a diverse group of teachers—typically around ten different educators throughout the school year.
The mathematics program is structured around four key areas: numbers and operations, data organization and analysis (including functions), measurement and quantities, and space and geometry. Through these areas of study, students develop essential skills such as problem-solving, modeling, representation, logical reasoning, calculation, and communication.
Special emphasis is placed on building mathematical reasoning and introducing formal proof—both foundational elements of middle school math education at Cousteau.
Life and Earth Sciences
Students explore three major themes: planet Earth, the environment and human impact; living organisms and evolution; and the human body and health. This subject helps students better understand the living world and today’s environmental challenges.
Physics and Chemistry
The curriculum covers the structure and transformation of matter, motion and interactions, energy and its conversions, as well as signals used for observation and communication. These concepts are explored through hands-on experiments and a scientific inquiry-based approach.
Technology
Students build skills across multiple dimensions: engineering and design to understand and create technical objects; social and cultural reflection on needs, uses, and the impact of technology; and scientific problem-solving, including modeling and simulating how systems and devices function.
At Cousteau College, students learn in both French and English—the two main languages of instruction.This bilingual approach helps students develop the ability to think critically, express themselves with precision, and understand others in a multicultural context.
French
The French curriculum aims to foster independent thinking through a strong command of the language. It focuses on three key areas:
– Developing oral and written communication skills, in both comprehension and expression
– Deepening linguistic knowledge (spelling, grammar, and vocabulary)
– Building a solid literary and artistic culture
English
English instruction covers language study (spelling, grammar, vocabulary), oral and written expression, and literature. Students engage with major literary works, helping them develop a rich cultural and literary background.
As part of our bilingual program, English is taught as a first language. Subjects such as Social Studies and Music are also taught in English.
Spanish
Introduced as early as Grade 4 (CM1), Spanish continues throughout middle school. Students build oral and written skills to understand, communicate, interact, and create in Spanish. A key focus is the exploration of Hispanic cultures.
Heritage Spanish speakers benefit from an enriched curriculum tailored to their level.
The Arts play a crucial role in the development of sensitivity, imagination, and self-expression. The study of artistic subjects allows students to explore various artistic languages, create their own works, and enrich their personal culture, all while promoting collaboration and critical thinking.
Visual Arts
This includes the study of art history and the acquisition of technical skills in various artistic domains. Students explore a wide range of artistic approaches and the diversity of works, gaining a deeper appreciation for the creative process.
Music
Students acquire the cultural and technical knowledge necessary for theoretical understanding, as well as the skills for listening, creation, and interpretation. Music is taught in English to enhance both language and artistic competencies.
Physical Education is a special time for learning through the body, effort, play, and respect for oneself and others. It supports the physical, motor, and emotional development of students, while reinforcing essential values such as mutual support, self-improvement, solidarity, and respect for rules. Sports become a space for socialization, where students learn to cooperate, face adversity, manage emotions, and build a healthy relationship with their bodies.
Physical Education and Sports (P.E.)
Students practice both individual and team sports, outdoor activities, dance, gymnastics, and develop coordination, endurance, perseverance, and teamwork skills.
Students also have the opportunity to engage in Cousteau Athletics, an extracurricular sports program that allows them to represent their school in regional competitions organized by BC School Sports. Through this program, students develop strong team spirit, tackle athletic challenges in a stimulating environment, and gain enriching experiences while interacting with other young athletes across British Columbia.
Friday afternoon sessions provide students with the opportunity to build and deepen their knowledge and skills, offering a different approach to learning the content. These sessions are project-based and often lead to concrete results through small group work. They are led by teachers from various subjects who collaborate around a specific theme or as part of educational pathways (health, citizenship, art and culture, excellence).
As part of the educational pathways and special events, we create opportunities for students to meet professionals from a wide range of fields, broadening their horizons and enhancing their learning experience.
Cultivating Critical and Analytical Thinking
Our students are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding of multiple subjects, to apply their knowledge, explore new ideas, solve problems, analyze information, and develop critical thinking. They strengthen their reasoning and argumentation skills both in writing and speaking. Their intellectual curiosity is carefully nurtured by our teachers, who encourage them to deepen their reflections.
At the college, students develop effective and autonomous work habits, along with time management skills.
French National Brevet
Middle school students prepare for the Brevet, a French national exam held at the end of the third year (Grade 9), which evaluates the knowledge and skills acquired throughout middle school. The exam is balanced between continuous assessment and final exams. Five subjects are assessed through written exams, which take place over two days at the beginning of June. The oral presentation of the work experience internship, presented in front of a jury, is also part of the exam.
In parallel with the Brevet, third-year students also take the Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF), level B1, which earns them credits for high school and some universities.
Perspectives after Cousteau Middle School
At the end of the third year (Grade 9), our students continue their journey in various secondary institutions:
-With instruction in either French or English.
-In programs such as the International Baccalaureate, Dogwood/Le Cornouiller, Advanced Placement, or the French Baccalaureate.
Their bilingual profile, advanced academic level, and strong work ethic open doors to the institutions of their choice, whether in Canada, France, or elsewhere in the world!
Our middle school students benefit from learning experiences beyond the classroom through day trips related to cultural, scientific, athletic, or ecological projects.
Each year, students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 take part in an educational trip within Canada or abroad, as part of inter-school projects organized through the AEFE network. These trips provide enriching experiences that combine cultural discovery, school exchanges, and interdisciplinary projects. Recent trips have included: sports and cultural events in Quebec, the “Maths en Jeans” conference in Los Angeles, a history-geography and sports project in San Francisco, a theater competition in New York, and a school exchange in Mexico.
In Grade 9, students travel to Tofino for a week of Brevet preparation, and after the exam, they discover the Rockies during a trip to the Lycée Français International de Calgary.
In addition to Physical Education (PE), which is part of the school curriculum, middle school students have the opportunity to take part in the extracurricular Cousteau Athletics program, which offers sports such as basketball, volleyball, cross-country running, track and field, golf, and physical training. Grade 8 and 9 students receive specific support to participate in competitions organized by BC School Sports.
These events give young athletes the chance to develop their athletic skills, take on challenges as a team or individually, and experience the intensity of competition in a spirit of respect and fair play. Through this experience, they build self-confidence, create strong bonds, and proudly represent Cousteau School on the provincial stage.
As part of our educational pathways (citizenship, health, arts and culture, excellence) and special events, we create opportunities for our middle school students to meet with professionals from a wide range of fields.
In Grade 9, a five-day internship allows students to discover the economic and professional world, experience the realities of the workplace, and begin shaping their career plans.
The oral presentation of this internship is part of the Diplôme National du Brevet (French national exam).
At Cousteau we foster independence to prepare students for future success.
Middle school is meant to prepare students for the shift from elementary to high school by fostering independence, time management, and organizational abilities. At Cousteau School we gradually develop students skills in a multicultural environment, at the end of middle school our students are ready to face high school wherever they want in the world.
Exploration of Interests:
We allow students to explore a variety of subjects and extracurricular activities, helping them identify and develop their interests and passions.
Academic Rigour:
Our program introduces increased academic rigor, challenging students to think critically and delve deeper into subjects, laying the foundation for the more advanced coursework in high school.
Character Development:
We contribute to develop character by providing experiences that shape resilience and empathy, nurturing individuals with strong moral.
Technology Integration:
We integrates technology, preparing students for the digital age and enhancing their technological literacy, a crucial skill for the modern workforce.
Multilingual Proficiency:
Our students are immersed in a multilingual environment and graduate as fluent, confident, and culturally aware young adults proficient in multiple language.
Individual Monitoring:
We emphasize individual monitoring, by providing personalized attention to students’ progress, ensuring tailored support and fostering a conducive environment for academic and personal growth.
Experience Cousteau’s academic excellence and bilingual education
Cousteau offers a unique academic experience through the teaching of rigorous bilingual education from Pre-K to Grade 9
Our students nurture a sense of curiosity and become lifelong learners while developing their personality, an international and multicultural mindset, and a willingness to protect our planet and to respect differences.
