"What do you say about a school that’s more than a school? A place that takes care of your child, nurtures their spirit and cultivates their love of learning? How can you possibly thank teachers who hold your child in their hands and their hearts, ensuring their overall wellbeing, day after day? You can start with a testimonial. While it’s a small testament to the work of the teachers of Madrona, it’s a little expression of our sincere gratitude. We moved to Vancouver in the middle of the Grade 6 school year, for one spot of 14 at Madrona School. The commitment, dedication, vision and expertise of the teachers were evident and key in our decision. Our son is a gentle, enthusiastic and sensitive soul who has travelled quite a path in his young life and we were in search for something extra-ordinary for him. His love for math, music and literature has been taken to another level. He has been challenged where before he was bored or disinterested. He strives for more when before he was content with average. He feels comfortable to express himself whereas before he could feel self-conscious. The gentle yet rigorous environment of Madrona is delivering a higher quality of education through a staff that is committed to excellence through a smaller classroom, attention to detail and higher standards. Madrona is a gem in the world of education and provides an opportunity for children to reach within and beyond themselves to develop both their strengths and areas for improvement. The team at Madrona deftly navigates the day-to-day challenges while remaining open and responsive to the students and families of Madrona. Our son was able to truly focus on his studies and explore areas within education that he would not otherwise been able. He was exposed to a different kind of learning environment and student group, nurturing skills that will be well utilized in the world beyond the classroom. Madrona is a place where a well-rounded education for the individual is provided, a place where respect is cultivated and where our son felt safe to be himself and to grow in his learning. We feel that his time at Madrona will be a defining moment in his life and a time that he will look back on with the warmest of memories.

― - Michael & Jenny Ross, Vancouver BC, June 2011

"Under the tutelage of Eric and Judy O’Donnell, both they and their quality staff have exceeded their ten commitments to teaching our son. Wherever he was academically or emotionally, the teachers at Madrona respected this as a starting place and helped him successfully build far beyond these beginnings. We strongly recommend Madrona to any learner and family that value a high quality and conscious learning environment that supports emotional, social and academic excellence."

― - JS & MS, June 2011

"Madrona has reignited in our daughter the flame of curiosity that had been all but extinguished by the public school system. Madrona’s skilled and dedicated teachers have transformed her from a girl who was struggling bitterly with remedial math to one who is mastering math a grade above her own, and loving it. Ample access to technology, a high teacher to student ratio, and caring engaged teachers help her to overcome her organizational and output challenges. Yet her need for intellectual stimulation is satisfied by an invigorated approach to the B.C. curriculum with considerable enrichment in all subjects, including French and music. Her thirteen classmates and the Madrona teaching staff have become her second ‘family’. How many ways are there to say, ‘Thank you’?"

― Sharon Koehn & Geoff Gilliard

"Madrona is an institution which embodies the rare balance between excellence in academics and personal character building of its students.  The staff work together to encourage out the best of each child, capitalizing on their strengths while working on their weaknesses.  The small class size permits precision and accelerated learning in core subjects while allowing time for unique extracurricular opportunities such as connecting with students in Africa, gardening, cooking, photography or music performance.  It is a joy to say that my child's year at Madrona has been time well spent."

― Julie Joe

"Madrona School has been an excellent fit for both of my children, who are currently in grades 5 and 6.  The small class size, the high staff-to-student ratio, the respectful atmosphere, and above all, the unwavering dedication and devotion of the O'Donnell's to each student's individual needs, makes Madrona School a rare and special place."

― R. Leibik

"Last year I hated going to bed Sunday night knowing I had to go to school Monday morning.Now at Madrona I wake up Monday morning with excitement knowing what is planned for me that day! SCHOOL IS FINALLY FUN!!"

― D.S - student