# Traditional Learning Academy > Traditional Learning Academy (1189 Rochester Avenue, V3K 2X3) — independent Catholic K–12 school in Coquitlam. **Source:** https://soldbycraig.ca/traditional-learning-academy-school-guide/ **Author:** Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (BC Licence V99960) · The MACNABS · Royal LePage Elite West **Site:** https://soldbycraig.ca --- Independent Catholic K–12 · Coquitlam West ## Traditional Learning Academy — parents' guide + Coquitlam homes. Updated July 2026 · Craig Johnston, REALTOR® V99960 A Coquitlam REALTOR®'s read on Traditional Learning Academy — the small independent Catholic K–12 school on Rochester Avenue. How the K–12 continuity works, how TLA differs from CISVA parish schools and Archbishop Carney, and why a non-catchment private school changes the housing decision for Catholic families. [Book a Strategy Call](/book-a-strategy-call-with-craig-johnston/) [Call Craig — 604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092) Quick Answer What should you know about Traditional Learning Academy School Guide? Traditional Learning Academy (1189 Rochester Avenue, V3K 2X3) — independent Catholic K–12 school in Coquitlam. Full school profile, admissions, traditional curriculum, plus a Coquitlam REALTOR® **Craig Johnston, Top 1% Team Member — Greater Vancouver REALTORS®** and 47+ year Tri-Cities resident, can walk you through the local context. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours. Quick answer **Traditional Learning Academy** — Traditional Learning Academy is a independent catholic k–12 school in Coquitlam, serving grades K–12 in the Coquitlam West · Como Lake area area. Independent Catholic K–12 on one campus — traditional curriculum. Address: 1189 Rochester Avenue, V3K 2X3. Phone 604-931-7265. Verified school facts · Independent school ## About Traditional Learning Academy (TLA). School type Independent Catholic K–12 Grades K–12 Affiliation Roman Catholic — independent (not part of the SD43 public system or CISVA archdiocesan structure). Address 1189 Rochester Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3K 2X3 Phone [604-931-7265](tel:+16049317265) Website [School website →](https://traditionallearning.com/) Administration Martin Dale (Principal) · [tlaoffice@traditionallearning.com](mailto:tlaoffice@traditionallearning.com) VP: Confirm current VP roster on traditionallearning.com. Enrolment Approximately 169 students across all K–12 grades — very small. School hours Confirm the current year's bell schedule directly with the school at 604-931-7265. Admissions [Apply at Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) →](https://traditionallearning.com/admissions-2/) Application window Applications accepted on a rolling basis subject to capacity. Contact the admissions office for the current cycle. Tuition Tuition is set annually by the school. Contact the TLA admissions office directly for current tuition and fees. School details verified against the school's official website (June 2026). Bell schedules, administrators, tuition, and program details can change year to year — confirm the current year directly with the school office before relying on any specific number. What this school is best known for ## A small, family-style independent Catholic K–12 school in Coquitlam — one of very few schools in the Tri-Cities offering continuous Catholic education from Kindergarten through Grade 12 on a single campus. Self-described 'traditional' pedagogical approach (founded 1991). Traditional Learning Academy was founded in 1991 by parents seeking a 'traditional' Catholic education that runs continuously from Kindergarten through Grade 12 on a single small campus. Enrolment sits around 169 students total, which means cohorts of roughly 12–14 students per grade — extremely small by Tri-Cities standards. TLA also operates a separate sister program (TLA Online at schoolathome.ca) supporting homeschool families across BC; the in-person school at 1189 Rochester is the K–12 campus. Programs & academic profile ## What Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) actually offers. ### Full BC Ministry of Education curriculum, K–12 Standard BC curriculum delivered with a 'traditional' pedagogical approach (the school's founding identity) and Catholic faith formation throughout. ### Fine arts and performing arts emphasis The school emphasizes fine and performing arts across the curriculum. ### Catholic faith formation Faith formation embedded throughout the school program — sacramental life, prayer, character/virtue formation. ### Small-class continuity Roughly 12–14 students per grade on average — one of the smallest student-teacher ratios in the Tri-Cities. ### TLA Online (separate sister program) An online program supporting homeschooling families across BC, operated by TLA at schoolathome.ca. Separate from the in-person school. Admissions, feeders & geographic reach ## Where Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) students come from — and where they go next. ### Catchment / geographic reach TLA is NOT a catchment school. It is an independent school admitting students from across the Tri-Cities and beyond. The Rochester Avenue campus is in Coquitlam West, near Como Lake. ### Feeds in from TLA enrolls students directly at any grade level. The school's K–12 continuity means most students enter at K and continue through grade 12. ### Promotes to Post-secondary — university, college, trades. ### Admissions process Apply directly through the school. [Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) admissions →](https://traditionallearning.com/admissions-2/) Extracurriculars · sports · clubs ## Top extracurriculars at Traditional Learning Academy (TLA). - Fine and performing arts programming - Faith formation and service activities - Inter-school athletics (small-scale) - Character/virtue formation programming - Student leadership across the K–12 cohort Programs change year to year. Confirm the current season's club and sport list on the school's Programs / Clubs page. Inside the catchment · housing read ## Buying inside the Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) catchment — what I tell clients. TLA has no school catchment, so it doesn't tie housing to a particular Coquitlam neighbourhood. Families choosing TLA typically prioritize the K–12 continuity, the small cohort sizes, and the Catholic traditional pedagogical approach over any specific real estate catchment. For most families, the housing decision can be made independently of the school choice. 1. TLA's K–12 continuity is rare. If you want one school from K through 12, you don't need to plan two more transitions at grade 6 and grade 9. 2. Cohort size is the practical reality of TLA — roughly 12–14 students per grade. Confirm that suits your child socially before committing. 3. Independent schools price differently than CISVA parish-affiliated schools. Compare TLA tuition against CISVA options before deciding. 4. TLA Online (the school's separate homeschool support program) is not the same as the K–12 in-person campus — be clear which program you're applying to. Frequently asked questions ## Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) — FAQ. ### Is Traditional Learning Academy a good school? Traditional Learning Academy is a small independent Catholic K–12 school in Coquitlam, founded in 1991 by parents seeking a 'traditional' pedagogical approach. With ~169 students across all 13 grades, cohorts are very small (typically 12–14 students per grade). The school's distinctive value is K–12 continuity on one campus combined with Catholic faith formation and a fine/performing arts emphasis. ### Does Traditional Learning Academy have a catchment? No. TLA is an independent school — admissions are open to families from across the Tri-Cities and beyond. ### What grade range does Traditional Learning Academy serve? Kindergarten through Grade 12 — full K–12 on a single campus. TLA also operates a separate online program (TLA Online) for homeschool families, which is distinct from the in-person K–12 school. ### How do I apply to Traditional Learning Academy? Through the school's admissions process at traditionallearning.com/admissions-2/. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis subject to capacity. Contact the admissions office at 604-931-7265 or tlaoffice@traditionallearning.com. ### What is the tuition at Traditional Learning Academy? Tuition is set annually by the school. Contact TLA admissions at 604-931-7265 for the current year's tuition and fees. ### Is Traditional Learning Academy affiliated with CISVA? TLA is independent — it is a Roman Catholic school but is not part of the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA) parish-school structure. CISVA Catholic schools in the Tri-Cities include Our Lady of Fatima, All Saints, St. Joseph's, and Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary. ### Do I need to be Catholic to attend TLA? TLA is a Catholic school and faith formation is part of the program. Contact the admissions office to discuss specific family-fit considerations. ### Who is the principal at Traditional Learning Academy? Martin Dale is the current principal. ### How big is Traditional Learning Academy? Approximately 169 students across all K–12 grades — typically 12–14 students per grade on average. One of the smallest schools in the Tri-Cities. ### What is Traditional Learning Academy's address and phone? 1189 Rochester Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3K 2X3. Phone 604-931-7265. Email tlaoffice@traditionallearning.com. Continue your Coquitlam school research ## Related Tri-Cities school + catchment pages. [Main hub ### Coquitlam Schools (main hub) The full SD43 schools guide for the Tri-Cities.](/coquitlam-schools/) [Hub ### Best Schools in Coquitlam Ranked guide to the top Coquitlam SD43 schools.](/best-schools-in-coquitlam/) [Programs ### French Immersion Schools Every SD43 French Immersion entry point.](/french-immersion-schools-coquitlam/) [Private ### Private Schools (Tri-Cities) Independent schools serving Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam.](/private-schools-coquitlam-area/) Sources & methodology School facts verified against the [SD43 Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) school page](https://traditionallearning.com/), the [SD43 2025–26 School Listings (administrators) PDF](https://www.sd43.bc.ca/Schools/DistrictMap/Documents/2025-2026%20School%20Listings%20with%20Admin%20Email%20Contacts.pdf), and the SD43 school locator. Catchment, registration, and cross-catchment information from SD43's cross-catchment policy page. Real estate commentary is the professional opinion of Craig Johnston, REALTOR® license V99960, working under The MACNABS at Royal LePage Elite West and serving the SD43 Tri-Cities market. Page reviewed and dated June 2026. License V99960 · BCFSA-regulated. Confirm school program details with the school office before relying on them for an enrolment decision. ## Buying into the Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) catchment? Talk to Craig. A long-time Tri-Cities resident and licensed REALTOR®, Craig knows the catchment streets, the boundary risks, and the homes that come up inside the Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) catchment before they hit the public market. [Book a Strategy Call](/book-a-strategy-call-with-craig-johnston/) [Call 604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092) [Email Craig](mailto:Craig@SoldByCraig.ca) Tri-Cities monthly ## Get the honest Tri-Cities market read, monthly. June 2026 Coquitlam detached HPI is $1,649,000, -4.8% YoY. 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