St. Margaret’s School (BC)

Victoria

British Columbia

Canada

Overview

A world centre for girls' learning and leadership, at SMS we don't just promise equal opportunity; girls here get every opportunity. Our rigorous academic program is paired with extensive extracurricular and experiential learning offerings. Our teachers create a learning environment where girls are engaged, challenge themselves, and gain confidence. Our student-driven culture means that girls here are actively involved in shaping their education. OUR MOTTO Servite In Caritate ~ Service with Love OUR VISION Confident girls ~ Inspiring women This is a school where girls who want to change the world become women who do. OUR MISSION Empowering her to set her own course and shape her own dreams FACILITIES Our state-of-the-art facilities sit on 22 forested acres with access to extensive recreational sites and trails—only 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. Superior facilities, modern residence houses, culinary arts room, and Athletics Centre.

Academics

Summary: At SMS, learning is a highly personalized experience: every student is encouraged to stretch herself, but each student is provided with the individual challenges and support she needs to thrive. SMS students have the opportunity to tailor their classes to include a variety of accelerated learning options including Advanced Placement exam prep (AP), accelerated learning, and self-directed projects.

Department Director Megan Hedderick

Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Average Class Size: 16

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 41

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 30%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Noteworthy Information:
Our students are recognized localy and nationally in areas including Science Leadership and Drama.

English

Classics
Creative Writing
Literature
Poetry

History

European History
Medieval History
World History

Foreign Languages

Humanities / Social Sciences

Economics
Psychology

Sciences

Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Math

Computer Studies

Multimedia
Computer Science

Music

Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

Special Programs

Community Service
Exchange Programs
Personal Finance
Leadership
Outdoor Education

Distinctive or New Programs

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 4

Average Students Per Dorm: 34

Number of Girls Dorms: 4

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Newly Renovated (2014)

Facilities

Fitness Center
Indoor Basketball Court
Technology Center
Tennis Courts

Other Facilities

Walking Trails

Clubs & Organizations

Community Service
Computer Club
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Gardening Club
International Club
Math Club
Model UN
Newspaper
Peer Counseling
Peer Tutoring
Photography Club
Student Activities
Student Government
Theater Club
Weightlifting Club
Yearbook
Yoga Club

Arts & Athletics

Summary: The SMS Athletics program offers opportunities for students to participate in both competitive and extra-curricular sports. In addition to the athletics facilities located on campus, students have access to the nearby Olympic-standard Aquatics facility and the outdoor rowing facilities at Elk Lake, which we share with the Canadian Olympic rowing team. Many students also take advantage of private classes and lessons offered right on our campus including tennis, yoga, ballet and others. Students in all grades participate in our Liberal Arts program and also have the opportunity to pursue their artistic passions outside of the classroom in extracurricular activities such as Rock Band, our spring theatre production and private lessons in voice, speech and a variety of musical instruments.

Arts Department Director: Louise Huneck

Athletics Department Director: Jeannine Stannard

Notable Achievements: High Participation: 95% at elementary level 60% of secondary students join athletics teams Small school means big opportunities

Arts

Interscholastic Sports

Badminton
Basketball
Crew
Cross Country Running
Field Hockey
Soccer
Swimming
Track and Field
Volleyball

Recreational Sports

Aerobics
Alpine Skiing
Badminton
Basketball
Bowling
Camping
Canoeing
Crew
Cross Country Running
Dance
Field Hockey
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Kayaking
Nordic Ski Racing
Outdoor Education
Rock Climbing
Sailing
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Surfing
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

Graduates

Summary: We personally counsel each student on university applications and scholarships. SMS students meet with representatives from a variety of Canadian, US and international post secondary institutions. You will find our graduates at prestigious universities and colleges around the world. Our 25 graduates from June 2020 received 115 offers of admission from their chosen universities, and over $315,000 in scholarship offers!

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Emily Carr University of Art and Design: 1

Columbia University: 1

Dalhousie: 1

University of Waterloo: 3

Parson's School of Design: 1

King's College London: 2

McGill: 4

Bishops: 2

University of Victoria: 20

University of Toronto: 16

University of British Columbia: 11

Simon Fraser University (Vancouver): 5

Western University (London): 4

McGill University (Montreal): 3

University of California (LA): 1

Ryerson University (Toronto): 1

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology: 1

Queen's University (Kingston): 2

Mount Allison University (Sackville, New Brunswick): 1

University of Exeter: 1

Camosun: 9

UBC Okanagan: 4

Emily Carr U of Art and Design: 2

Trinity Western University: 1

Trent University: 1

Acadia University: 1

McMaster University: 4

University of Guelph: 1

University of Waterloo: 2

Redeemer University: 1

University of Alberta: 2

Dalhousie University: 1

Farleigh Dickenson University: 1

George Brown College: 1

York University: 1

Concordia University: 1

Parsons School of Design: 5

Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara: 1

Boston Universtiy: 1

University of Washington: 1

John Cabot University: 1

Ritsumaykan Asia Pacific University: 1

University of Californa, Irvine: 1

University of Californai, Santa Cruz: 1

University of Californai, Berkeley: 1

Les Roches Int'l School of Hotel Mgt: 1

Principia College Illinois: 1

University of Aukland: 1

King's College London: 2

University College London: 2

British Irish Institute of Modern Music: 1

University of Manchester: 1

London School of Economics: 1

University of Warwich: 1

University of Edinburgh: 1

Tama Art University Tokyo: 1

University of Maryland: 1

University of Syndney: 2

University of Melbourne: 3

Notable Alumni

Gillian Carleton

Class of 2007

Professional cyclist and Olympic medalist

Karen Clark Cole

Class of 1986

Co-founder and CEO of Seattle-based technology firm Blink and founder of the Girls Can Do event series

Dr. Joyce Clearihue

Class of 1943

Forged a career in medicine before it was common for women to do so.

Dr. Francis Kelsey

Class of 1931

President's award for Distinquished Federal Civilian Service for her role in preventing thalidomide to be marketed in the USA.

Quotes From Alumni

“SMS gave me a good start with great teachers a supportive environment and because it was all girls I gained confidence. I have always felt I can do whatever I want; it is all achievable for me.”

-Elizabeth Rogers, Class of 1998, MBA (Rotterdam) BSc (U Vic) MSc (Strasbourg)

“I encourage every girl who wants to study in Canada to go to SMS. I can promise she'll have the greatest time ever.”

-Maria Jose Belausteguigotia, Class of 2007, Student of Architecture at Universidad Anahuac Mexico

“In a large school in China the Head of School wouldn't know my name. SMS gives me many opportunities to be a leader. I feel like what I say is valued. I always want to be valuable and accountable.”

-Tiana Yang, Class of 2014, Currently pursuing a degree in Business at Simon Fraser University

Summer Programs

Summary:

Department Director: Alejandra Sanoja

WILD

Description:

Director: Alejandra Sanoja

Application Deadline: June 1, 2021

Start Date: 2021-07-05

End Date: 2021-07-18

Tuition From: 3450

Tuition To: 6500

Website: https://www.stmarg.ca/programs/summer-camps/

Boarding: Boarding

Financial Aid Available: No

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 5%

Average Merit Scholarship: 2,000

Current Endowment Amount: $290,000

Interested in St. Margaret's School (BC)?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: All Girls

Total Boarding: 53

Total Day: 221

Total Enrollment: 274

Boys: 0

Girls: 274

Boarding Grades Offered: 7-12

Day Grades Offered: K-12

School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School

Dress Code: Uniform

Applications Accepted: Contact School

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $69,100

5-Day Boarding: N/A

Day Tuition Fee: $22,000

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 13%

Average Awarded: $3,531

School Finances