GRADE 8 ENTRY FOR SEPTEMBER 2025

Please note the following important dates for the application process.

Challenge Studio Info Night – Monday, October 21, 2024 @7:00-8:00pm

We are very fortunate to move into a brand new building this year, but due to the limited space of our Auditorium, we only have capacity for 340 people, compared to our old Auditorium that seated 750. To organize the evening, we will be releasing free tickets using Eventbrite.

There will be a maximum of 3 tickets per family. Please ensure that you have one ticket per person. We kindly ask that siblings do not attend in order for more families to participate. Eventbrite tickets will be available HERE starting on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 7:00pm. 

Please bring your ticket to the info night so that the QR code can be scanned as you enter.

*Sorry for such an official procedure—we want to ensure that nobody makes a trip to the school only to be turned away due to capacity limits.

NOTE:  If you were unable to attend either in person or virtually, a recording of the event can be found HERE.

Mini School registration – Tuesday, November 12 to Thursday, December 19, 2024

To be considered by any mini school program, students must register with the VSB District Mini School General Registry. Please note that in order to be considered, students are also required to submit an application package to each mini school program separately. 

Hamber Challenge Studio Program Application – Tuesday, November 12 to Thursday, December 19, 2024

We are requesting the following items to help determine the suitability of applicants.

• The Hamber Challenge Studio Program Application Form with five questions answered.
• Two report cards: 1) a copy of your Grade 6 term 2 (or mid-year) report card and 2) a copy of your Grade 6 final report card. If you are selected for an interview, please bring a copy of your Grade 7 mid-year report to the interview.
• A 60-to 90-second video sharing your passion(s). You must appear and speak in the video, but the format is up to you. Show us who you are.

Please submit a link to your video here. Note that you should upload your video to a platform of your choice, and then send us only the link. Unfortunately, limited capacity does not allow for the uploading of the video itself. Note: Please ensure that your video can be downloaded, as it makes it easier for us to access and to avoid the issue of expiry dates. Please check your permissions. Videos will only be seen by the admissions panel.

All other documents should be dropped off to Hamber’s main office. If you currently attend a VSB elementary school, you could request that the staff there send your application package through the VSB’s internal mail service (“blue bag”). Applications close on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 3:00pm.

Hamber Challenge Studio assessment – Wednesday, January 8, 2025

As the District is no longer conducting an assessment, we will be administering our own as part of the application process. This test will be held in person at our school on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Students will be assigned to one of two sittings: the first from 3:45-4:45pm and the second from 5:00-6:00pm. To take part in this assessment, please register HERE. Parents of registrants will be contacted the evening of Friday, January 3, 2025 with further details. This is the only date that the assessment will be available, so we kindly ask that you make any necessary arrangements to ensure your child's participation.

The assessment consists of three sections, each focussing on English, Socials, and Science concepts. Advanced preparation is not required.

Hamber Challenge Studio interview – Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to in-person group interviews. Emails will be sent to parents on the evening of Friday, January 24, 2025. Interviews will be conducted during the school day. Applicants should expect to spend either the morning or afternoon with us. More details will be provided in the email.

First Round offers – Wednesday, February 26, 2025 @ 9:00am

Students being offered a spot in the program will be contacted via parent email.

Deadline for First Round acceptances – Friday, February 28, 2025 @ 12:00pm

Acceptances must be emailed to ehchallengestudio@vsb.bc.ca by 12:00 noon.

Second Round offers – Wednesday, March 5, 2025 @ 9:00am

Students being offered a spot in the program will be contacted via parent email.

Deadline for Second Round acceptances – Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 12:00pm

 Acceptances must be emailed to ehchallengestudio@vsb.bc.ca by 12:00 noon.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. M. Poon (Program Coordinator) atehchallengestudio@vsb.bc.ca

Thank you for your interest in our program!