Independent Catholic K–12 · Coquitlam West
Updated October 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.
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What should you know about Traditional Learning Academy?
Traditional Learning Academy — Traditional Learning Academy is an 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.
Verify your exact address
Independent schools do not have catchments — your public schools still do.
Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) admits by application, not by address. Use SD43’s official School Locator to see which public schools serve your address as your comparison or backup.
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Traditional Learning Academy admits by application, not by address, so you can live anywhere within an easy drive. Your home’s public SD43 catchment still matters for resale and as a back-up. Browse what’s for sale in Coquitlam, or have me send you new listings as they hit the MLS®.
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Verified school facts · Independent school
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
Website
Administration
Martin Dale (Principal) · 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.
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
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
Standard BC curriculum delivered with a 'traditional' pedagogical approach (the school's founding identity) and Catholic faith formation throughout.
The school emphasizes fine and performing arts across the curriculum.
Faith formation embedded throughout the school program — sacramental life, prayer, character/virtue formation.
Roughly 12–14 students per grade on average — one of the smallest student-teacher ratios in the Tri-Cities.
An online program supporting homeschooling families across BC, operated by TLA at schoolathome.ca. Separate from the in-person school.
Admissions, feeders & 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.
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.
Post-secondary — university, college, trades.
Apply directly through the school. Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) admissions →
Extracurriculars · sports · clubs
Programs change year to year. Confirm the current season's club and sport list on the school's Programs / Clubs page.
Choosing where to live · housing read
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
No. TLA is an independent school — admissions are open to families from across the Tri-Cities and beyond.
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.
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.
Tuition is set annually by the school. Contact TLA admissions at 604-931-7265 for the current year's tuition and fees.
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.
TLA is a Catholic school and faith formation is part of the program. Contact the admissions office to discuss specific family-fit considerations.
Martin Dale is the current principal.
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.
1189 Rochester Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3K 2X3. Phone 604-931-7265. Email tlaoffice@traditionallearning.com.
Continue your Coquitlam school research
Main hub
The full SD43 schools guide for the Tri-Cities.
Hub
Ranked guide to the top Coquitlam SD43 schools.
Programs
Every SD43 French Immersion entry point.
Private
Independent schools serving Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam.
Sources & methodology
School facts verified against the SD43 Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) school page, the SD43 2025–26 School Listings (administrators) 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 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.
A long-time Tri-Cities resident and licensed REALTOR®, Craig knows the streets, the school options, and the homes that come up near Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) before they hit the public market.
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