When it comes to choosing the right school for your children, many questions come to mind: How advanced is the academic curriculum? Does the faculty support the arts? When will they implement an international exchange program? Regardless of your concerns, these five top-tier private schools in the Greater Victoria Area exceed the requirements of an enriching education, with academic achievement and individual development at the core of all programs.
St. Margaret’s School
Location: 1080 Lucas Ave.
Neighbourhood: Victoria
Female empowerment and leadership are at the core of St. Margaret’s School’s mission. Canada’s only all-girl STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) school, St. Margaret’s caters to students from early childhood education until high school graduation. For students in early-learning years, St. Margaret’s offers play- and nature-based programs, as well as highly-specialized academic instruction. Students between grades 7 and 12 can join the residence program and enjoy an urban-rural boarding school experience in a tranquil neighbourhood surrounded by walking and cycling paths.
St. Michael’s University School
Location: 3400 Richmond Rd.
Neighbourhood: Victoria
St. Michaels’ University School is synonymous with excellence. This world-class, co-ed day and boarding school boasts the largest and longest-running advanced placement (AP) program in Canada, and focuses on bringing university-level academic skills to the classroom. Their leading AP program gives students access to a wealth of academic programs including calculus, Chinese language and culture, environmental science, and art history. But academics is not their only focus; St. Michael’s University School also offers premium programs in arts and athletics, from scriptwriting to cricket.Â
Shawnigan Lake School
Location: 975 Renfrew Rd
Neighbourhood: Shawnigan Lake
Nestled between pristine Shawnigan Lake and three hundred acres of wooded and landscaped grounds, Shawnigan Lake School is a secondary-level boarding school with a vast selection of advanced placement and preparatory programs. The largest boarding school on Vancouver Island, Shawnigan Lake School is located just 45 minutes north of Victoria’s downtown core. The development of well-rounded individuals is evident through the school’s enviable athletic programs (elite rugby, anyone?) and leading academic programs, including the preparatory program tailored to its growing international student body.
Queen Margaret’s School
Location: 660 Brownsey Ave
Neighbourhood: Duncan
For over a century, Queen Margaret’s School has offered young minds an exceptional education to build on the essential foundations of confidence, character and compassion. Located in the scenic Cowichan Valley, this all-gender school’s mission aims to enrich student development and personal growth through their exceptional and rigorous curriculum. Proudly offering student’s Canada's only on-campus Equestrian Program, as well as a myriad of athletic and arts programs, the Queen Mary’s School of present day is a vibrant home to young trail blazers.Â
Brentwood College School
Location: 2735 Mt Baker Rd.
Neighbourhood: Mill BayÂ
Located on a spectacular oceanfront campus on Vancouver Island, Brentwood College School is a university prep boarding school located on in scenic Mill Bay. Surrounded by the iconic West Coast beauty, Brentwood College School sets an inspiring backdrop for their modern education, offering students unrivalled opportunities in academics, athletics, and arts. With a community of students coming from over 50 countries, the school provides the building blocks to each student to gain their independence and the skills required to exceed in post-secondary.
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