What if School Felt Like This?
Imagine walking into a school where students, not administrators, welcome you at the door. Where teenagers excitedly share their latest projects—not because they have to, but because they want to. No awkward silences, no monotone “This is our gymnasium” speeches—just students who genuinely love their school and can’t wait to tell you about it. That’s Imagine High.
Take Chloë, for instance: an 11th-grader who originally was drawn to the school's theatre program but found herself deep in the world of board game design. Instead of just studying game mechanics, she and her friend Livi built their own, then took it to Bastion Games to be played and tested. That moment—seeing people engage with something they built—transformed Chloë’s perspective on learning. “We didn’t just talk about what makes a great game,” Chloë explained. “We played, analyzed, and then built our own. And getting to actually test it in a real game store? That was next level.”
Chloë's experience embodies how real-world application deepens learning. Instead of memorizing theories, she engaged in experiential learning, taking her ideas beyond the classroom and into the real world. Plus, let’s be honest—school projects are a lot more fun when they involve competitive board game battles.
A School Students Actually Choose to Attend
Imagine High divides its days into two main blocks: integrated core subjects in the morning and mixed-grade electives in the afternoon. This allows for deeper engagement and fewer interruptions. Subjects are woven together, because—spoiler alert—real life doesn’t happen in neat little subject boxes. Students explore problems from multiple perspectives, making learning far more engaging.
But perhaps the most striking feature of this school is its non-catchment status—students choose to attend. And they don’t just walk over from down the street. Some travel from as far as Surrey and Hope, proving that when given a real choice in their education, students are willing to invest in it. That kind of dedication isn’t something you typically see in high school, where enthusiasm is usually reserved for snow days and lunchtime.
Let's Dive In
Among all the things that impressed us, one practice really stood out—Deep Dives. (No, not the kind where you need scuba gear, though honestly, we wouldn’t put it past these students to build a DIY submarine.)
A couple of times each year, Imagine High pauses its no-bell schedule and lets students spend two weeks immersed in a single project—often collaborating with community organizations and mentors. But here’s where it gets really interesting: students can also create and lead their own Deep Dive projects. That’s right—if they don’t vibe with the options teachers propose, they can pitch their own idea, find two teachers to sponsor them, and take full responsibility for their own two-week journey—budget, schedule, final product, the whole deal.
Think about that for a second. If students aren’t engaged in what’s on offer, they’re allowed to create their own learning path. Imagine how that changes the way they approach school. Instead of passively waiting for education to happen to them, they get to shape it.
Emily, a 12th-grader, had enough credits to graduate early, but instead of coasting, she turned a passion into a profession. Her love for photography, sparked in a previous class, became the foundation of her Deep Dive project. She built a portfolio and website, preparing herself for a career in photography before even leaving high school. “I wanted to be ready for grad season,” she said. “Instead of just thinking about a career, I’m starting it now.”
Emily's experience is a prime example of how education should be relevant and student-driven. She wasn’t just checking off graduation requirements—she was actively designing her own future, blending passion with practical career skills. And let’s be real, by the time her classmates are deciding what to wear for grad photos, she’ll probably be taking their photos.
Similarly, Emmy, a 10th-grader, spotted a real-world problem: the school’s chaotic lost-and-found. Instead of waiting for someone else to fix it, she took it upon herself to design and build a custom storage cabinet—even though she had zero woodworking experience. Imagine High is the kind of place where a student can go from “I don’t know how to use a saw” to “I built this” in two weeks.
Emmy’s project is the definition of empowering students to be problem-solvers. Instead of being told what to do, she saw a need, took initiative, and made a tangible impact. Also, thanks to Emmy, misplaced hoodies now have a home rather than a mysterious journey into the abyss.
Deep Dives aren’t just a fun idea—they support some of the best principles in modern education:
- 🎨 Mixed-Grade Collaboration – Students work across grades, meaning younger students learn from older ones, and older students get to mentor.
- ⏳ Extended Focus Time – No hopping between subjects every hour. Just two weeks of deep, uninterrupted creative work.
- 🌏 Real-World Skills – Time management, budgeting, collaboration, and problem-solving—things students will actually use after graduation.
Chilliwack’s Best Kept Secret
At its best, education isn’t about filling minds with knowledge—it’s about unlocking curiosity, creativity, and a deep love for learning. That’s what drives us in this work: a desire to discover, celebrate, and share the most innovative, engaging, and meaningful approaches to education. And on our journey to find where and how this is happening, we couldn’t have asked for a better place to start than Imagine High.
Imagine High, which opened in 2021, is part of Chilliwack’s innovative K-12 project-based learning pathway. Unlike many experimental schools, this isn’t a private school with an eye-watering tuition bill—it’s a public school initiative, born from big dreams of a small few.
Principal Brooke, who joined the project in March 2020, describes it as “the chance of a lifetime.” Her leadership was apparent at an open house we attended—not in a grand speech about educational philosophy, but in her decision to step back and let the students run the show. It’s a bold move, but at Imagine High, students aren’t just learning—they’re shaping how learning happens.
How often do you hear high school students say school feels meaningful and purpose-driven? How often do you hear high schoolers say their teachers feel more like friends than walking Wikipedia pages? How often do teachers talk about taking risks, collaborating, and trying ideas that might actually fail? Well, at Imagine High, we heard all of this—from everyone—and honestly, it was exhilarating. And it’s not happening by accident; the school has guiding principles in place (which would require many more articles to do justice to), all which help create and nurture this environment:
- 🎤 Student Voice & Agency
- 🪴 Growing Innovative Practices
- 💕 Inclusive Design & Equitable Access to Deep Learning
- 😁 Authentic Learning
Learning should be alive—shaped by students’ passions, fueled by collaboration, and unafraid to break away from the traditional mold. One last story: Finny, a Grade 11 student, wanted to bring global issues into focus. His Deep Dive project? A highly detailed diorama of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Instead of writing an essay, he built something that visually told a story—one that sparked immediate conversations across the school. His work is about to go on display in the school’s public showcase cabinets, which is just a fancy way of saying he turned a class project into a thought-provoking museum exhibit. Not bad for a high schooler.
Finny’s diorama exemplifies interdisciplinary learning and social impact by fusing art, history, and activism into one project. By using a creative medium, he made a complex issue more accessible—something that textbooks often struggle to do. Also, if dioramas were an Olympic sport, he’d probably take home the gold.
A Blueprint for the Future
Along with its partner schools Leary Elementary and A.D. Rundle Middle School, Imagine High isn't just an inspiring story—it’s a practical, working model of what learner-centered education can look like in the public system. It proves that when students have autonomy, real-world experiences, and mentorship, they thrive.
Imagine High isn’t just a school; it’s a community where students are building, designing, leading, and exploring. It’s a place where learning isn’t something that happens to students, but something that happens with and because of them. And honestly? That’s something every school could take notes on.
Come See for Yourself
If you’re an educator, parent, or student who wants to experience this firsthand, Imagine High welcomes visitors. There’s something powerful about seeing students not just attending classes, but owning their education.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what school could be—go see Imagine High for yourself.
A big thanks to everyone at Imagine High that welcomed us into their school and participated with pure authenticity: Chloë Willms, Emily McLean, Emmy-Leigh Casper-Joe, Finny Bicycle, Brooke Haller, Deanna Davyduke, Janet Carroll, Jen Maxwell, Joseph Taylor, Matt Slykhuis, Scott Hewitson, Sonja Wykpis, and Stacey Parsons.
Thanks to Emily (emmy.mcphotography) for the amazing photos.