Warmland Arts Academy is an arts-integrated school in Duncan, BC, offering students in Grades 3–12 the rare opportunity to pursue serious performing arts training while receiving strong academic support.
Our program nurtures confidence, creativity, collaboration, and a deep sense of belonging, helping students grow both artistically and academically within a vibrant learning community.
Quality Performing Arts Training Meets Academic Excellence — now you can have both.
A Day in the Life at WAA
Located on Kenneth Street in the heart of downtown Duncan—neighbouring the iconic City Hall clocktower and beside the Duncan Farmers Market Square—Warmland Arts Academy (WAA) offers a unique in-person educational experience for students in Grades 3–12.
Our program combines strong, teacher-led academics with exceptional dance and performing arts training. Through an interdisciplinary, arts-integrated approach, students develop creativity, confidence, and strong academic foundations in a nurturing, community-based environment.
Students learn in our beautiful sunlit classroom and large, modern sprung-floor studios, designed to support both focused academic learning and high-quality performing arts training.
At Warmland, students experience a balanced day that blends dance training, academics, movement conditioning, and creative exploration. Learning moves fluidly between the studio and classroom, keeping students engaged both physically and intellectually.
Throughout the week, students participate in a variety of learning experiences including:
- Dance technique and choreography
- Movement conditioning and physical literacy
- Interdisciplinary academic studies
- Performing arts and creative expression
- Rotating exploratory courses such as woodworking, visual arts, cooking, and other hands-on skills
- Community-based learning projects
These subjects are woven throughout the day, creating a dynamic rhythm where academic learning and the arts support one another.
An Official Service Provider for SelfDesign Learning Community
How SelfDesign Integrates with Warmland Arts Academy
Warmland Arts Academy is an official service provider for SelfDesign Learning Foundation, a BC Ministry of Education-accredited independent school. This relationship allows us to offer students in Grades 4–12 a recognized, flexible educational pathway that blends academic excellence with exceptional dance and performing arts training.
Through SelfDesign, students are enrolled in a personalized education program that meets all provincial learning outcomes. Warmland delivers the day-to-day academic instruction and enrichment, while SelfDesign provides the official school registration, Ministry oversight, and certification.
Each student is paired with a BC-certified Learning Consultant through SelfDesign who:
- Supports the student’s individualized learning plan
- Conducts weekly check-ins with families
- Oversees documentation of learning progress
- Ensures alignment with BC curriculum standards
At Warmland, core subjects are taught through an arts-integrated lens by our experienced in-house faculty, including M.Ed. and Waldorf-trained educator Leah Burley. Students engage in rich, interdisciplinary studies with options like Anatomy of Dance (Science), Dance History (Social Studies), and Lyrical Dance Studies (Language Arts).
As an official service provider, Warmland:
- Delivers all instruction, resources, and documentation required for student success
- Collaborates directly with families and Learning Consultants to ensure smooth communication and oversight
- Provides a supportive, community-centred environment where students thrive both academically and artistically
This model ensures that students receive a well-rounded, BC-accredited education in a setting that encourages creativity, individuality, and lifelong learning.
All students are welcome to pair with a different DL provider, Homelearning Program, School, Learning Provider, or may opt to pair with no organization at all. Warmland Arts Academy does not require students to work solely with SelfDesign in order to deliver our programming. Please refer to our tuition schedule to understand how funds are allocated to our organization.
Our Learning Approach
Warmland Arts Academy is not an online, standardized, or worksheet-based distributed learning model. Students engage in meaningful lessons designed specifically for them and guided by experienced educators.
Our program prioritizes:
- Academic rigor and strong foundational skills
- Arts-integrated, interdisciplinary learning
- Movement, creativity, and critical thinking
- Community and collaboration
Students may explore creative academic courses such as:
- Anatomy of Dance (science)
- Dance History (social studies)
- Lyrical Dance Studies (language arts)
As an official service provider for a BC-certified Independent School, Warmland ensures students meet BC Ministry of Education standards while allowing flexibility for passion-driven learning aligned with curricular competencies.
Parents remain actively involved through weekly check-ins and regular updates with a BC Ministry-assigned Learning Consultant, ensuring each student’s personalized learning plan is fully supported.
Leadership
Warmland Arts Academy is led by Leah Burley, M.Ed., an innovative educator and sought-after teacher known for her engaging, interdisciplinary approach to learning.
A Waldorf-trained educator, Leah brings many of the strengths of that pedagogy—creativity, storytelling, experiential learning, and whole-child development—into a modern program grounded in strong academics and the performing arts.
Her teaching approach balances academic depth, movement, and creative expression, ensuring students develop both intellectual curiosity and artistic confidence in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Life at the Academy
Blended Grad Program
(Grade 10–12)
Our Grad Program follows a blended learning model, allowing students to immerse themselves in dance and performing arts while completing academic studies through their school or learning provider of choice.
How It Works
Students attend Warmland two full days per week, focusing on:
- Dance and performing arts training
- Movement studies and conditioning
- Selected arts-integrated courses supporting curricular learning
These courses incorporate elements of social studies, science, English, and physical education through an interdisciplinary arts-based approach.
During the remaining three days each week, students complete academic coursework through their registered school or learning provider, earning credits toward graduation.
The Warmland studio and learning centre remain open five days per week, providing a welcoming space for:
- Independent studies
- Rehearsals
- Creative exploration
This flexible model allows students to maintain academic progress while training at a high artistic level.
Weekly Schedule
Grade 3–4
Monday – Thursday
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Lunch: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Grades 5–6 & 7–9
Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Lunch: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Detailed daily schedules and class rotations are provided to families upon enrolment.
Uniform Dress Code
At Warmland Arts Academy, our uniform supports our values of freedom to be oneself, sense of belonging, focus on learning, and pride in our shared community.
Our uniforms are worn each school day, except for Outdoor Fridays, which are reserved for nature-based learning and require weather-appropriate outdoor gear.
What to Wear
Tops
- White or navy collared school uniform shirts (polo or button-up)
- Must display the official Warmland Arts Academy logo
- Solid-coloured sweaters, cardigans, or layering pieces may be worn over the collared shirt for added warmth and comfort
- All tops must be free of external branding or logos, aside from the WAA logo
- Tops may be purchased through the school or provided independently and sent in for logo application ($10 per item)
Bottoms
- Families are responsible for sourcing their own bottoms (not sold by the school)
- Acceptable grey bottom styles include:
- Dress pants or slacks (no jeans, leggings, or yoga pants)
- Clean, logo-free grey sweatpants (permitted up to twice per week)
- Pleated uniform skirts, skorts, or shorts of modest and comfortable length
- May be sent in for logo application (optional, $10 per item)
Footwear and Socks
- With skirts, skorts, or shorts: clean black dress shoes or other closed-toe shoes, with white ankle or knee socks
- With slacks: clean black dress shoes or closed-toe shoes, with socks
- With sweatpants: clean white socks and clean running or closed-toe shoes
- Open-toed shoes are not permitted at any time
Dance Class Attire
- On days with dance classes, students may wear appropriate dancewear.
- We will also offer a WAA t-shirt for purchase, suitable for dance, or casual wear.
For more about dance attire, visit the Warmland Dance Studio website and scroll to the attire section.
Outdoor Fridays
On Fridays, we step outside the classroom for nature-based learning. Uniforms are not required on these days.
Please ensure students wear sturdy, weather-appropriate outdoor clothing, such as:
- Waterproof or insulated footwear
- Layered clothing for warmth and flexibility
- Outerwear appropriate for rain, cold, or sun
Outerwear & Layers
Students are encouraged to bring outer layers suitable for the weather and classroom comfort, including:
- Solid-coloured sweaters or fleeces to wear over uniform shirts
- A seasonal jacket or coat for outdoor time (we will be learning outdoors often)
- A water-resistant layer as needed
All outerwear must be free of external logos or large graphics, in keeping with the simplicity and unity of the uniform.
Optional Items for Purchase
(order forms coming soon)
- WAA Logo Backpack
- WAA Logo Fleece Zip Up
- WAA Logo T-Shirt
- WAA Logo Jacket
- WAA Logo Uniform Blazer – Optional for performances and formal events
Ordering & Recommendations
We recommend that each student have at least:
- Four uniform tops
- Three uniform bottoms
- One solid sweater or layering piece
- Two pairs of school shoes
- Plenty of clean white socks
- One weather-appropriate coat or jacket
Your feedback is valued — please feel free to connect with us anytime.
2026 Tuition & Enrolment
15% discount before June 30 $6,500 annually
($625/month on a ten-month term)
($675/month on a ten-month term)
Amounts paid directly to WAA by SelfDesign or DL provider*
*Covered by the family if no DL provider is used
15% discount before June 30 $7,500 annually
($750/month on a ten-month term)
($800/month on a ten-month term)
Amounts paid directly to WAA by SelfDesign or DL provider*
*Covered by the family if no DL provider is used
($400/month on a ten-month term)
Tuition assistance is available.
Enrolment Checklist
Thank you for considering the Warmland Arts Academy Day Program! Please follow the steps below for a smooth enrolment process and let us know if you need assistance in completing your registration.
Register with Warmland Arts Academy
- Complete and submit the application form.
- You will receive an email asking for additional details to ensure this is a good fit for your child. Please respond with the requested information.
Pay the Application Fee
- A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required to review your application and secure a space.
- Pay through the Warmland Dance Parent Portal OR e-transfer the fee to admin@warmlanddance.ca.
Enroll with SelfDesign
- After being accepted, complete your enrollment with SelfDesign at www.SelfDesign.org
- During your initial meeting with SelfDesign, mention your participation in the Warmland Arts Academy Day Program to be assigned to the appropriate Learning Consultant.
Set Up Tuition Payments
- The annual program fee will be added to your account upon enrolment. Log in to the Parent Portal to view your balance and set up monthly payments.
- For payment arrangements or tuition assistance, contact Pamela Shakespeare at admin@warmlanddance.ca.
Prepare for Your SelfDesign Consultation
- Our team will provide all necessary details for your SelfDesign learning plan meeting.
Parent FAQ
Yes. Students will participate in both technical dance training and choreography during the school day. These components are taught in units that rotate throughout the season, providing a balanced and evolving experience in various dance styles and performance techniques.
Yes. Select choreographic pieces from the daytime program may be chosen to represent Warmland at festivals and competitions throughout the year. Participation will be based on readiness, interest, and artistic suitability.
Yes, to some extent. While all students follow a core academic curriculum, there are opportunities for learners to influence the artistic subjects we explore, particularly in project-based units and electives. This encourages engagement, ownership, and creativity.
Yes, partially. We strongly encourage Youth Company dancers to continue their training with their competitive peers in the afternoon and evening programs. At minimum, ballet classes outside of the day program are required for all Youth Company members. However, all other company requirements are satisfied by participation in the daytime arts academy.
Yes. Warmland Arts Academy is a full-time educational program for students in Grades 4–12, meeting BC Ministry of Education standards as an official service provider for SelfDesign Learning Foundation. Students receive instruction in core academic subjects alongside daily arts training.
Yes. Students are enrolled with SelfDesign, a BC-accredited Independent School. All academic progress and achievements are fully recognized by the BC Ministry of Education.
Academic subjects are taught by our in-house faculty, led by Leah Burley, M.Ed., a qualified, experienced educator with a background in Waldorf and arts-integrated education. The academic program is designed to be engaging, interdisciplinary, and reflective of each student's learning style.
There is some light, project-based or reflective homework, but the majority of academic and artistic work is completed during the school day. Our goal is to support a balanced lifestyle where students can pursue other interests and family time outside of class hours.
Absolutely. Students will participate in showings, performances, and festival opportunities throughout the year. These may include studio showcases, community events, and formal stage productions.
No. While many of our students are passionate about dance, we also welcome learners with interests in theatre, music, creative writing, visual arts, and other performance disciplines. Our interdisciplinary approach supports a broad range of artistic identities.
Yes. We offer generous tuition assistance through internal bursaries, external partner foundations, and work-trade options. We are committed to making the program accessible to families who share our vision.
Begin Your Child's Journey
Spaces are limited. Register now to secure a spot at Warmland Arts Academy.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out with questions, to book a tour, or to start the enrollment process.
25 Kenneth St
Duncan, BC V9L 1T6
Vancouver Island