School Profile

SCHOOL PROFILE 2011/2012

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Cathy Thornicroft ACCREDITATION

CAIS

MEMBER OF

ISABC, NAIS, NCGS, TABS

1080 Lucas Avenue Victoria BC, CANADA V8X 3P7 1.250.479.7171 • www.stmarg.ca

97% of girls’ school graduates feel confident with their public speaking skills.

Servite In Caritate ~ Service with Love St. Margaret’s 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.

Confident Girls. Inspiring Women.

48% of girls’ school alumnae rate themselves great at math versus 37% of their co-ed peers.

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.

Empowering her to set her own course & shape her own dreams.

Three times as many alumnae of single-sex schools plan to become engineers.

“First you have to get comfortable with yourself; Then you can be comfortable with boys.”

- Susie, 12th Grade Source: The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

St Margaret’s School 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.

Our School St. Margaret’s School is an all-girl, independent day and boarding school located in the City of Victoria on the scenic west coast of British Columbia, Canada. At 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 be daring, 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.

Our state-of-the-art facilities, including a Junior School and Senior School Campus, Athletics Centre and four residence houses, 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.

The All Girl Advantage

Enrolment

The 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 wellbeing 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.

TOTAL STUDENTS...................384

The SMS Advantage 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 crosscultural 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 cross cultures and time zones, and last their whole lives. Strong partnerships built with our families foster trust and communication. And our gorgeous natural setting outside compliments the hightech learning environment inside. 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.

Junior School (Preschool-Grade 6)....................138 Senior School (Grades 7-12)..............................246 Boarding (Grades 7-12)..............................140 English Language Program.........96 Countries of Origin: 9 Canada: 64% (246 students) International: 36% (125 students) Average Class Size: 18 students Student/Teacher Ratio: 8 to 1

Points of Pride • rigorous & innovative curriculum • post-secondary preparedness • leadership development • supportive environment • world-class campus • student-driven learning

her journey starts here.

Course Offerings

Academics It’s a point of pride that high levels of achievement are the norm not the exception here at St. Margaret’s School. In 2011/2012, 78% of Senior School students (Grades 7-12) were on the Honour Roll and 26% were on the Head’s List.

HONOUR ROLL To attain a place on the Honour Roll, students at St. Margaret’s have to achieve an average mark of 80% or higher.

HEAD’S LIST To attain a place on the Head’s List, students in Grades 10 through 12 must attain an average mark of 90% or higher.

% Honour Roll % Head's List % Neither

Provincial Exams In British Columbia, annual examinations are adminstered in key subjects to evaluate benchmarks for achievement in academics.

St. Margaret’s School students regularly exceed independent school and public school averages on these provincial exams.

90 80 70

EXAM RESULTS 2011/2012

60

SENIOR PROGRAM: GRADES 10-12

ENGLISH English 10, 11, 12 Honours English 10, 11, 12 Language and Literature Development 10 Language and Literature 11 English Literature 12 Writing 12 Communications 12 AP English Literature and Composition Tutorial SOCIAL SCIENCES Social Studies 10, 11 Comparative Civilizations 12 Geography 12 History 12 Law 12 MATHEMATICS Foundation of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10 Honours Foundation of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10 Foundation of Mathematics 11, 12 Pre-Calculus 11, 12 AP Calculus 12 SCIENCES Science 10 Psychology 11 Biology 11, 12 Chemistry 11, 12 Physics 11, 12 AP Chemistry Tutorials

50 40 30 20 10 0

St Margaret's School All Independent Schools All Public Schools

LANGUAGES French 10, 11, 12 Honours French 10, 11 AP French Tutorial Introductory Spanish 11 Spanish 11, 12 Introductory Japanese 11 Japanese 11, 12 Introductory Mandarin 11 Mandarin 11, 12

AT ST. MARGARET’S School

Advanced Placement Courses: Results by Subject As reported by The College Board

BUSINESS EDUCATION Investment and Financial Planning 11, 12 Economics 12 FINE ARTS AND APPLIED SKILLS Visual Arts 10, 11, 12 Visual Arts 3-D 11, 12 AP Studio Art Photography 11 Information Technology 9, 10 Information and Communication Technology 11, 12 Beginning Band 10-12 Band 10-12 Concert Choir 10-12 Drama Theatre 10-12 Physical Education 9, 10, 11, 12 GUIDANCE Planning 10 Leadership 10, 11, 12 Graduation Transitions 11/12 INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM Bridge to French 10 Canadian Culture 10T Canadian History 10 Bridge Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10T Language Acquisition Skills 10T Literature Acquisition Skills 10T Language and Literature Development 10 Bridge Planning 10T Science 10T

Advanced Placement (AP) offers college and university-level courses and exams for secondary students. The 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 AP as it is recognized for advanced credit or placement in many Canadian and American universities and colleges. Exams are administered worldwide and are centrally scored on a five-point scale, where a grade of 3, 4 or 5 indicate a passing grade, and asses qualification (where 5 is the highest).

AP ACHIEVEMENT OVER 5 YEARS 120% (Percentage of students with qualifying grade of 3, 4 or 5)

100% 80% St. Margaret's School

60%

British Columbia World

40% 20% 0% 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

SAT Statistics At St. Margaret’s, only the students interested in applying to Amercian colleges and universities write the SAT. Therefore, there is no SAT average for the senior class.

SAT Preparation courses are available to students outside of the regular timetable.

our focus is on her.

Leadership

Extracurricular Activities

SMS students are accustomed to stepping into leadership roles because this is part of their everyday experience. Dedicated leadership courses in Grades 7-12 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.

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 playing in a jazz band, performing on stage, making a difference in her community, or pushing herself on the basketball court, life at SMS will never be dull.

Post-Secondary Preparation Athletics Our 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.

At 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 Graduates For the year 2011/2012: 54 graduates 126 offers of admission 47 universities and colleges 40% offered scholarships 95% enrolled in post-secondary programs immediately following graduation 92% accepted to their first choice of institution

Where girls who want to change the world

Post-Secondary Destinations CANADA Carleton University Dalhousie University Kwantlen Polytechnic University Max the Mutt Animation School – Toronto McGill University Queen’s University Royal Military College Ryerson University Simon Fraser University University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Guelph University of Toronto University of Victoria University of Waterloo Western University Camosun College Langara College

UNITED STATES American University Art Center College of Design – Los Angeles Boston College Boston University Chicago Art Institute Cornell University University of Notre Dame – Indianna Pratt Institute – New York City School of Visual Arts – New York City Tokai College – Hawaii University of Hawaii University of Illinois – Urbana University of Michigan – Ann Arbor OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA International Study Centre at Herstmonceux Castle – East Sussex, England Kingston University – United Kingdom Korea University Taiwan College

Fields of Study 2011/2012 Arts Social Sciences Psychology Sciences Math Business Engineering Health Sciences Tourism

become women who do.

confident girls. inspiring women.

We know girls. We know how to spark their imaginations, cultivate their curiosity and raise their expectations of themselves. St. Margaret’s School provides a rich array of activities, courses and opportunities that provide our girls with the foundations for success: challenges to excel, experiences that inspire, and preparation for the future. Time spent here will provide each girl with the ability to shape her own dreams and to make a positive contribution to the world around them.

Learn more at www.stmarg.ca

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 Admissions 1.250.479.7171 • admissions@stmarg.ca

1080 Lucas Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia, V8X 3P7, CANADA 1.250.479.7171 • www.stmarg.ca