Glenlyon Norfolk School (格里扬诺克学校) | International Student Guide: 2026 Programs, Entry Requirements, Costs and Application Support — Ranking, Fees, Admission
Direct Answer
Glenlyon Norfolk School (格里扬诺克学校), commonly referred to as GNS, is an independent, co-educational, non-profit IB World School located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. For families researching a Glenlyon Norfolk School international student guide, the institution offers a complete International Baccalaureate continuum from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, combined with both homestay and boarding residence options for students coming from outside Victoria. UNILINK is suitable for providing application information and support based on your background, helping you navigate the admissions process for this school’s Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 programmes across its two campuses.
GNS operates two campuses: the Beach Drive campus at 1701 Beach Drive hosts students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5, while the Pemberton Woods campus at 781 Richmond Avenue serves Grades 6 through 12. The school provides campus tours, open houses, virtual tours, and virtual information sessions so that prospective families can understand the learning environment before submitting an application.
UNILINK provides application information and support based on the applicant’s background. We do not promise admission or guarantee a visa outcome. All enrolment decisions rest with the school, and offers are issued solely according to the institution’s current entry requirements and official documentation. When you submit your details through our platform, we aim to contact you within one business day.
IB Continuum and Academic Framework
Glenlyon Norfolk School holds authorization as an IB World School and delivers all three International Baccalaureate programmes in sequence: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). This makes GNS one of the relatively few schools across Canada’s 383 IB schools to offer a complete, uninterrupted IB continuum. The school has been the only institution in Victoria providing the full IB World continuum for over 25 years, which means students experience a consistent inquiry-based pedagogy from early childhood through to university preparation.
The academic structure is supported by what the school describes as four pillars: Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Service. These pillars shape co-curricular expectations and the broader student experience. The PYP at the Beach Drive campus includes two pre-school programmes—Junior Kindergarten 3 and Junior Kindergarten 4—before students progress into the elementary grades. The MYP and DP are delivered at the Pemberton Woods campus, where middle and senior school students engage with subject-group learning, interdisciplinary units, and the core DP requirements.
Because the school’s mission is “Truth and Courage in learning and life, enabling and supporting each student to do their best,” the curriculum design places emphasis on character development alongside academic rigour. The school’s five stated core values are Truth, Courage, Caring, Individuality, and Community.
Entry Requirements and the Admissions Process
Admission to Glenlyon Norfolk School is available from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school is both a day and boarding institution, and international applicants may apply for either the family homestay programme or Gryphon boarding, depending on age and availability.
The school does not publish a single, fixed set of entry requirements that applies uniformly to every grade. Instead, the admissions office evaluates each applicant based on age-appropriate criteria, previous school records, and evidence of readiness for an IB curriculum delivered in English. Families should expect to provide academic transcripts or reports from the applicant’s current school, along with any teacher recommendations or assessments the admissions team may request. English language proficiency is essential for success in the programme, but specific minimum test scores or grade-level language thresholds are not stated on the current official pages; applicants must confirm the exact language expectations directly with the admissions office for the entry year they are targeting.
The application process typically begins with an inquiry or campus visit. GNS offers campus tours, open houses, and virtual information sessions. Upcoming open house dates include a Junior Kindergarten event on October 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as well as elementary school and middle and senior school open houses on October 15, 2026. Additional open house sessions for the elementary school and the middle and senior school are also scheduled for February 12, 2027, and April 22, 2027. Virtual information sessions for the elementary school and for the middle and senior school will be held online on October 1, 2026, and again on February 4, 2027. These events allow families to meet faculty, tour facilities, and understand programme expectations before completing the formal application. International families unable to travel to Victoria can use virtual tours and online information sessions as a starting point.
UNILINK can assist you in preparing the application package and connecting with the admissions team, but the final decision rests with the school. You should treat all entry requirements as indicative until confirmed in writing by the institution.
Boarding and Student Life
Glenlyon Norfolk School offers two distinct boarding pathways for students who do not reside with their own families in Victoria. The first is a homestay programme, where students live with local host families carefully selected by the school. The second is Gryphon boarding, a residence option that provides a structured living environment with supervision, meals, and integration into the school’s wider community life. The availability of each option may depend on the student’s grade level and capacity at the time of application.
The school’s vision statement—“to develop citizens of character who contribute to the world through leadership, a commitment to service, and an understanding that we all have a responsibility for the future of our communities”—is reflected in the expectations placed on boarding students. Service as one of the four pillars means students participate in community engagement activities, and boarding life is designed to reinforce the school’s values of caring and community.
Victoria itself provides a safe, mid-sized urban setting on Vancouver Island. The Beach Drive campus sits in a residential coastal neighbourhood, while the Pemberton Woods campus is located in a central area of the city. Both campuses give students access to outdoor spaces, and the city’s mild climate supports year-round athletics and outdoor education components.
Tuition Fees and Cost Considerations
Glenlyon Norfolk School does not publish a single international student tuition fee on its public-facing admissions or about pages. As a non-profit independent school, GNS sets fees annually, and the total cost for an international student will typically include tuition, boarding or homestay fees, health insurance, and additional charges for co-curricular activities, uniforms, and learning resources. Because the school operates two boarding models—homestay and Gryphon boarding—the overall cost will vary depending on which accommodation type is selected and the grade level of the student.
Prospective families should request a current fee schedule directly from the admissions office. The school’s official pages direct applicants to contact the admissions team for detailed information about costs for the relevant academic year. UNILINK can help you initiate that inquiry and understand the typical components of an international boarding school budget, but all figures must be confirmed with the institution itself. Do not rely on third-party estimates when planning your finances; always work from the official fee statement provided by the school.
Given that GNS is a full-continuum IB school with boarding options, families should also budget for application fees, enrolment deposits, and any English language support or learning support services that may be recommended after the admissions assessment.
How UNILINK Supports Your Application
When you engage UNILINK for your Glenlyon Norfolk School application, the process starts with understanding your child’s age, grade level, English proficiency, and boarding preference. We then align that profile with what GNS requires at the point of entry and help you gather the necessary documentation. This includes previous school reports, identification documents, and any supplementary materials the school may request.
Because GNS offers multiple open house and information session dates throughout the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, we can advise you on which events to attend—whether in person or virtually—and what questions to ask about the IB programme, boarding options, and student support services. If you are comparing different Canadian independent schools, you may also find our pathway comparison resource useful. For a broader overview of how to prepare an international school application, see our application guide. We also provide document service support and maintain a clear follow-up commitment to keep you informed at each stage.
It is important to reiterate that UNILINK does not guarantee admission, nor do we make visa promises. All enrolment decisions are made by Glenlyon Norfolk School based on its own criteria, and any offer of a place will come directly from the school in the form of an official letter. Our role is to provide structured application information and support that reflects your background and the school’s published requirements. If you would like to understand more about how we operate, you can read about our approach on the about page.
FAQ
Q1: Does Glenlyon Norfolk School accept international students for all grade levels?
Yes. The school accepts applications from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. International students may apply for day school if they will be living with a parent or guardian in Victoria, or they may apply for one of the two boarding options—homestay or Gryphon boarding. Availability at specific grade levels depends on capacity at the time of application, so it is advisable to inquire early and confirm current openings with the admissions office.
Q2: What English language requirements must international students meet?
The school does not publish a fixed minimum English test score on its current official admissions pages. Because the entire curriculum is delivered in English through the IB framework, students must demonstrate sufficient proficiency to access the programme. The admissions team assesses language readiness as part of the application review. Families should contact the school directly to confirm the specific English expectations for the grade level and entry year they are targeting.
Q3: Is Glenlyon Norfolk School a boarding school?
Yes. GNS is both a day and boarding school. It offers a family homestay programme and a boarding residence option called Gryphon boarding. The homestay programme places students with local host families, while Gryphon boarding provides a supervised residential setting. The appropriate option will depend on the student’s age, grade, and personal circumstances, as well as availability.
Q4: What is the IB continuum and why does it matter?
The IB continuum at GNS means that students experience the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme in a connected sequence from early childhood through Grade 12. This consistency allows students to develop inquiry skills, critical thinking, and international-mindedness over many years. GNS is one of the few schools in Canada authorized to deliver all three programmes, and it has been the only school in Victoria offering the full continuum for more than 25 years.
Q5: How do I apply and what documents are needed?
The application process begins with an inquiry, campus visit, or attendance at an open house or virtual information session. You will then need to submit an application form along with supporting documents such as previous school reports and any teacher recommendations the school requests. The admissions team reviews each file individually. For international applicants, additional documentation related to guardianship, boarding preferences, and English proficiency may be required. All document requirements should be confirmed directly with the admissions office for the relevant entry year.
信息来源
- Glenlyon Norfolk School – “GNS – Best Private International Baccalaureate World School Victoria, BC”
- Glenlyon Norfolk School – “About – Glenlyon Norfolk School”
- Glenlyon Norfolk School – “Admissions – Glenlyon Norfolk School”
- Glenlyon Norfolk School – “Attend an Open House – Glenlyon Norfolk School”
- Glenlyon Norfolk School – “Visit GNS – Glenlyon Norfolk School”
Last updated: July 2026. Programmes, fees and entry requirements are subject to the institution’s current official pages and offer documentation.