Our SchoolSt. Margaret’s School (SMS) is an all-girls, independent day and boarding school located in the City of Victoria on the scenic west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1908, SMS is the oldest and largest international school for girls in Western Canada.

Our Motto: Servite In Caritate ~ Service with Love

Servite In Caritate ~ Service with Love: SMS is a global school where girls are nurtured and inspired to become life-long learners. Girls here are challenged to achieve their full potential and contribute to society in a meaningful way. We embrace our motto “Service with Love” in both individual pursuits and shared responsibilities.

Our Vision: Confident girls. Inspiring women.

This is a school where girls who want to change the world become women who do. Our committed staff, beautiful campus, and innovative curriculum create a nurturing environment that challenges students to achieve their leadership potential.

Our Mission: Empowering her to set her own course and shape her own dreams.

SMS values diversity and inspires excellence of mind and strength of spirit. Students here are challenged to take responsibility for their own learning experience, to develop individual worth, academic excellence, personal wellness, connection with nature, and service to their local and global community.

St. Margaret’S School | School Profile 2012/2013

ESTABLISHED

1908

ACCREDITATION Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS)

MEMBERSHIP National Coalition of Girls Schools (NCGS), Independent Schools Association of British Columbia (ISABC), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)

HEAD OF SCHOOL Cathy Thornicroft

SENIOR YEARS PRINCIPAL & DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION Rob Ducharme

FOUNDATION & MIDDLE YEARS PRINCIPAL Megan Hedderick

ENROLMENT

Total Students: 392 Junior (ECE–Grade 6): 142Senior (Grade 7–12): 250Boarding (Grades 7–12): 144English Language Program: 101

Countries of Origin: 9Canada: 246 (64%)International: 125 (36%)

Average Class Size: 18Student/Teacher Ratio: 8 to 1

POINTS OF PRIDE• rigorous curriculum• post-secondary prepared-

ness• leadership development• supportive environment• world-class campus• student-driven learning

TOP ELEMENTARY PROGRAM• junior program has been

ranked #1 in BC • LEED Certified: Junior

Building recognized for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

The SMS AdvantageAt St. Margaret’s School (SMS), we are focused entirely on the education, development and well-being of girls. We provide a personalized learning experience in an environment where girls can gain confidence and discover their passions. Our programs equip girls with the knowledge, attitudes and courage to thrive – in their studies, their careers and in life.

Founded in 1908, SMS is the oldest and largest international girls’ school in Western Canada. Today we honour our founders’ aim, “to consider the special requirements of individual girls, and to give to each one as much attention and consideration as possible.”

Our state-of-the-art facilities – including a LEED certified Junior Building, four modern residence houses, and Athletics Centre – sit on 22-acres of park-like grounds bordering Blenkinsop Lake with access to extensive hiking & cycling trail networks; and all located only 20 minutes from downtown.

Why All-GirlsThe benefits of a girls’ school do not come from separating girls from boys, but from the ability of a girls’ school to focus entirely on the education, development and well-being of girls. Girls’ schools are able to direct all of their time, resources, attention and energy to the unique needs of girls where co-educational schools simply cannot. They have the flexibility to customize teaching strategies, programs, and experiences to match girls’ interests, challenges and learning styles.

Our small classes ensure that our outstanding teachers are able to provide every student with a customized learning experience, in an academic environment where students can be themselves, discover their true passions and strive to meet their own potential.

We prepare students for university entrance and cross-cultural leadership. SMS is a school where a rigorous and rich academic program, is complimented by fine arts, athletics and leadership. Students feel a part of a family and form deep community bonds that last their whole lives. Strong partnerships built with our families foster trust and communication. The result of a St. Margaret’s education is a self-assured, focused young woman who is eager to pursue her dreams and make a difference in the lives of others.

1 | SMS School Profile

48% of girls’ school

alumnae rate themselves great at math versus 37%

of their co-ed peers.

Source: The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

LeadershipSMS students are accustomed to stepping into leadership roles because this is part of their everyday experience. Dedicated leadership courses in Grades 5-12 are supported by experiential programs designed to provide students with authentic leadership experience, including a variety of student-led committees, a mentorship program, outdoor education, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, community service projects, and a House System.

AthleticsOur Athletics Program stresses broad participation in and enjoyment of sport; it is designed to keep students engaged in sports and help them develop their skills. The experience of belonging and working together as part of a team is not part of the experience for just a few of our students, but for most of them: 95% of Junior School students and 70% of Senior School students represent SMS on at least one school team. Competitive athletics teams include Swimming, Volleyball, Rowing, Badminton, Basketball, Cross-Country, Field Hockey, Tennis, Track and Field, and Soccer. Club sports, intramurals, house challenges and outdoor recreation offer additional opportunities for students to be active outside of class.

Extracurricular Activities Our school is a dynamic community with many experiences to be had outside of school hours. There are over 20 clubs, councils and activities from which to choose; whether a student’s passion lies in robotics, playing in a rock band, performing on stage, making a difference in her community, or pushing herself on the basketball court, life at SMS will never be dull.

EXTRACURRICULAR

The following are some of activities offered at SMS:

• Volleyball• Basketball• Soccer• Badminton• Tennis• X-country• Track• Aquatics• Rowing• Crossfit Training• Yoga• Ballet• Jazzercise• Outreach Club• Green Club• World Wide Club / Multi-

cultural club• Jazz & Rock Band• Debate / United Nations

Club• Robotics Club / Tech Girls• Theatre Production Club• Glee Club & Song Writing• School Play• Visual Arts Club• Private Music Lessons• Speech Arts

SMS School Profile | 2

97% of girls’ school graduates feel

confident with their public speaking skills.

Source: The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

AcademicsMajority of St. Margaret’s School (SMS) students consistently achieve at a high level in academics, as reflected in their grades. In 2012/2013, 72% of senior students (Grades 7-12) achieved the Honour Roll (a grade average of 80% or higher). Of that, 13% achieved an average over 90% to make the Head’s List.

Provincial ExamsIn British Columbia, annual examinations are adminstered in key subjects to evaluate benchmarks for achievement in academics. SMS students regularly exceed independent school and public school averages on these provincial exams.

Advanced Placement & SATThe Advanced Placement (AP) program allows students to participate in a college or university level course while still in secondary school. Students achieving at a high level may opt to complete an AP exam as it is recognized for advanced credit or placement in many Canadian and American universities and colleges. AP Exam Options at SMS include: English Literature and Composition, Calculus, Chemistry, French, Studio Art.

At St. Margaret’s, only the students interested in applying to Amercian colleges and universities write the SAT exam. SAT Preparation courses are available to students outside of the regular timetable.

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EXAM RESULTS 2012/2013

SENIOR COURSES: GRADES 10–12

ENGLISHEnglish, Honours English, Language and Literature Development, Language and Literature, English Literature, Writing, Communications, Tutorial

SOCIAL SCIENCESSocial Studies, Comparative Civilizations, Geography, History, Law

MATHEMATICS Foundation of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus, Honours Foundation of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus, Foundation of Mathematics, Pre-Calculus

SCIENCESScience, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

LANGUAGESFrench, Honours French, Introduction to German, Introductory Japanese, Japanese, Introductory Mandarin, Mandarin, Introductory Spanish, Spanish

BUSINESS EDUCATIONInvestment and Financial Planning, Economics

FINE ARTS AND APPLIED SKILLSVisual Arts, Visual Arts 3-D, Photography, Information Technology,Information and Communication Technology, Beginning Band, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Drama Theatre, Physical Education, Food & Nutrition

GUIDANCEPlanning, Leadership, Graduation Transitions

INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMBridge to French, Canadian Culture, Canadian History, Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus,Language Acquisition Skills, Literature Acquisition Skills, Language and Literature, Development, Planning, Science

3 | SMS School Profile

BusinessSocial SciencesFine ArtsHealth SciencesSciencesTechnologyTourismEngineeringLawMath

SMS School Profile | 4

Post-Secondary PreparationAt the core of our mission is the belief that higher education is a powerful and valuable experience – one that opens doors, offers opportunities, and is integral to the continuing growth and development of our students. Honours level courses, Accelerated Courses and Advanced Placement courses are all options available to challenge our students and help them prepare for the next phase in their education. Students are also supported in pursuing self-initiated projects for credit to help them develop as independent learners.

Our guidance department provides resources and one-on-one advising to help students explore career paths, post-secondary programs and their own strengths and interests; and to guide them through the process of planning for what will come next.

Our GraduatesThe Class of 2013 by the numbers:

42 graduates138 offers of admission 103 universities and colleges55% offered scholarships (total funds: $212,500)98% enrolled in post-secondary programs immediately following graduation (one graduate took a GAP year)60% accepted to their first choice of institution

Fields of Study:

POST-SECONDARY DESTINATIONS SMS graduates are accepted to colleges and universities around the world, including the following schools:

CANADACarleton UniversityDalhousie UniversityEmily Carr University of Art and DesignKwantlen Polytechnic UniversityMcGill UniversityQueen’s UniversityRyerson UniversitySimon Fraser UniversityUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of British ColumbiaUniversity of CalgaryUniversity of GuelphUniversity of TorontoUniversity of VictoriaUniversity of WaterlooWestern University

UNITED STATESAmerican UniversityArt Center College of Design – Los AngelesArt Institute of ChicagoBoston UniversityCornell UniversityUniversity of Notre Dame – IndiannaPratt Institute – New York CitySan Fransisco Conservatory of MusicSchool of Visual Arts – New York CityUniversity of HawaiiUniversity of Illinois – UrbanaUniversity of Michigan – Ann Arbor

OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICAInternational Study Centre at Herstmonceux Castle – East Sussex, EnglandKingston University – United Kingdom

Three times as many alumnae of single-sex schools

plan to become engineers.Source: The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

Notes.....................................................................

Questions...............................................................

Come and see for yourself. To set up an appointment to view the school or to find out more about choosing a St. Margaret’s education for your daughter, please contact:

Kathy Charleson, Director of Admissions1.250.479.7171 • admissions@stmarg.ca

1080 Lucas AvenueVictoria • BC • V8X 3P7Canada

(+1) 250.479.7171admissions@stmarg.ca

www.stmarg.ca

1080 Lucas AvenueVictoria • BC • V8X 3P7Canada

(+1) 250 479 7171admissions@stmarg.ca

www.stmarg.ca

| Confident girls. Inspiring women.