St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake

Canada, Shawnigan Lake

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The school at a glance

Instructs in English

Fees CA$14,000 - 67,250

Ages Not listed

Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)

Bus Service No

Academic offering

Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum

Taught languages English, French

Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts

Stages Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School

Introduction

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school located at 2371 Shawnigan Lake Road on Vancouver Island, BC. The campus sits lakefront with trails, offering an outdoor-oriented setting that supports experiential learning. The school offers IB MYP and DP alongside the Canadian Curriculum, with English as the language of instruction. IB planning emphasizes inquiry-based learning and international-mindedness, led by DP coordinator Eric Venables and MYP coordinator Bradley Myrholm. W.I.L.D. is a two-year BC Dogwood Diploma Path for Grade 11 entrants (Sept 2026), blending academics with expeditions and outdoor certifications. Grade 11 courses include English, Mathematics, Geography, Environmental Science, Life Sciences, Chemistry or Art, and Outdoor Education, with certifications such as Wilderness First Aid, Bronze Cross, Paddle Canada, Leave No Trace, and Avalanche Safety. IB subjects include Visual Arts, Economics, Physics, English A Language and Literature, French AB, Mandarin AB, and Spanish AB. Prospective families welcome.

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The Essentials

Location

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake is located at 2371 Shawnigan Lake Rd, Shawnigan Lake, BC, V8H 2H1. The campus sits on Vancouver Island. The neighbourhood combines lakefront and rural environs with local services in nearby Shawnigan Lake village. The school serves local day students and international boarders.

Stages

Middle Years Programme for Grades 6–10 and Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12.

Type

Independent, co-educational day and boarding IB World School.

Additional learning support

English Language Learners (ELL) support is available; English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes include an English support block with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:8. For more intensive language support, English Intensive (EI) blocks provide targeted tutoring to help students access credit-bearing courses.

Country affiliation

Canada

Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

The school offers a boarding program on campus for international students. The dorms provide 24/7 support from a Residential Life Coordinator and dorm staff; a Lead and Assistant Dorm Parent are on duty each evening and all weekend, and the Residential Life Coordinator is available on a rotating schedule. The community is a 'One School' environment that brings local day students and international boarders together through joint activities. Each weekend, there are off-campus trips as part of the boarding experience, and the dorm schedule helps students learn to manage responsibilities.

Uniform Requirement

The school has uniforms; first-year uniform items cost $1,000 for local day students and $1,500 for international boarding students.

Food Options

All meals and snacks are included for international boarding; local day students have a daily hot lunch program.

Fees

Application fees and enrollment charges

- Application fee: USD 300.
- New student registration fee: USD 500 (one-time; applied in the first year for students who are offered and accept enrollment).
- Enrollment is secured upon payment of a non-refundable deposit (families have two weeks to accept an offer).

Tuition fees — annual and per-term detail by year group

Local day students (annual tuition):
- Grade 4–5: USD 14,000 per year.
- Grade 6–8: USD 15,000 per year.
- Grade 9–10: USD 15,500 per year.
- Grade 11–12: USD 18,500 per year.

International boarding students (annual tuition and boarding):
- Grades 6–10 (boarding): USD 63,850 per year. Annual fee includes academic tuition, boarding accommodations, laundry and housekeeping services, all meals and snacks, medical insurance, weekend and after-school activities, annual ski/snowboarding trip, co-curricular activities, field trips, overnight E.C.O. Camp, athletics, a USD 1,000 hold for incidentals, IB fees, and administrative fees.
- Grades 11–12 (boarding): USD 67,250 per year. Annual inclusions as listed above.

Per-term breakdown (school does not publish a specific public billing-term count; the following per-term figures are simple equal divisions of the published annual tuition to support database entry):
- If billed in 3 equal terms (example):
- Grade 4–5: USD 4,666.67 per term (USD 14,000 ÷ 3).
- Grade 6–8: USD 5,000.00 per term (USD 15,000 ÷ 3).
- Grade 9–10: USD 5,166.67 per term (USD 15,500 ÷ 3).
- Grade 11–12: USD 6,166.67 per term (USD 18,500 ÷ 3).
- Boarding Grades 6–10: USD 21,283.33 per term (USD 63,850 ÷ 3).
- Boarding Grades 11–12: USD 22,416.67 per term (USD 67,250 ÷ 3).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Families have two weeks to accept an offer of enrollment; enrollment is secured upon payment of a non-refundable deposit and completion of enrollment forms.
- The published materials do not provide a detailed per-term invoice schedule or standard instalment dates for tuition billing. For international payer processing, the school uses a third-party payment service (Flywire) that supports multiple payment methods.

Boarding fees and items included

- Boarding tuition (annual) is USD 63,850 for Grades 6–10 and USD 67,250 for Grades 11–12. Boarding fees include accommodation, laundry, housekeeping, meals and snacks, medical insurance, weekend and after-school activities, an annual ski/snowboarding trip, co-curricular activities, field trips, overnight E.C.O. Camp, athletics, IB fees, administrative fees, and a USD 1,000 hold for incidentals.
- Eligibility rules apply for domestic boarding and day rates based on parent/legal guardian residency and status.

Other costs and variable fees

Local day students:
- Bussing: Shawnigan route USD 1,700; Duncan route USD 2,200; Langford route USD 2,200.
- Uniforms: approximately USD 1,000 in the first year, variable thereafter.
- DP (Diploma Programme) exam fees (Grade 12 only): USD 250 per exam plus USD 200 administrative fee.
- Graduation fee (Grade 12 only): USD 300.
- Online DP Pamoja course (optional): USD 2,500 per course per year.
- Application fee: USD 300. New student registration fee: USD 500 (one-time).

International boarding students (additional variable fees):
- Uniforms: approximately USD 1,500 in the first year, variable thereafter.
- DP exam fees and grad fee as listed above.
- ISGC guardianship: USD 2,200.
- English Language Learning (ELL): USD 4,700. English Intensive (EI): USD 4,700.

Refund information

- Enrollment is secured upon payment of a non-refundable deposit.
- A detailed published tuition refund schedule (for mid-year withdrawal, pro‑rating, or fee refunds) is not available in the school's publicly posted tuition and admissions materials.

Fee payment options

- International payers: the school uses Flywire for international payments; Flywire supports bank transfers, credit cards, and e-payments such as Alipay/PayPal and provides multilingual customer support.
- The school's admissions and enrollment processes reference online application and enrollment systems for registration and acceptance steps. Specific domestic payment methods (for example, direct debit, cheque, or domestic instalment plans) are not published in detail in the tuition page.

Brief note on available public details

- Published, load-bearing fee figures for the 2026–2027 academic year are provided above (annual tuition and variable fees). The school's public materials state that enrollment is secured with a non-refundable deposit and list the main variable fees and inclusions for boarding. The school does not publish a specific per-term invoice schedule, instalment due dates, or a full tuition refund policy in the publicly posted tuition and admissions materials; those items are handled in enrollment documents and admissions communications. For definitive billing schedule, instalment dates, and formal refund terms, consult the school's admissions or finance office.

Academics

Curriculum

The school offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP). The IB framework guides teaching through inquiry-based learning and a focus on international-mindedness. The IB Learner Profile describes students as inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, reflective, balanced, open-minded, caring, and risk-takers.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake integrates social and emotional learning within its IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. IB learners develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics. Approaches to Learning (ATL) build skills for research, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management. Positive Discipline supports a safe, connected learning community with routines, kindness, and clear expectations. Relationships matter here, as staff, families and students work together to foster belonging, resilience, and responsible decision-making.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake provides limited learning support services and cannot provide intensive educational assistance or full-time specialized programming. Applicants requesting accommodations must provide a Psycho-Educational Assessment, copies of prior IEPs, and any relevant specialist reports. New and existing IEPs and accommodation plans are reviewed and updated with the Learning Support team to align with IB programming. There are three Learning Support Categories: Foundational Accommodation Support (CDN 2,250 annual fee), Accommodation Support Plus Limited In-Class (CDN 2,750 annual fee), and Enhanced Academic Support (CDN 3,500 annual fee). Each category offers different levels of support, from review and collaboration to limited in-class assistance and direct instruction outside of class.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake offers English Language Learning (ELL). ELL is integrated into the school day in place of French for eligible students. ELL classes support credit-bearing courses and build language within thematic content. Language is contextualized through ongoing themes and routines to support learners at different levels. ELL is offered with a separate tuition of CDN 4,700 per year.

Mental Wellbeing

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake has a School Guidance Counsellor and a Student Services team focused on wellbeing. Serena Myrholm provides post-secondary counselling for senior students and coordinates resources to support social-emotional wellbeing. Leah Churchill serves as Student Services Assistant and School Registrar, helping manage data and school processes to support student wellbeing. The team collaborates with families and teachers to support the overall wellbeing and success of students. The services are integrated with academics to help students thrive.

Safeguarding

A Best Practice Discipline Policy promotes a safe and respectful learning community. The policy emphasizes proactive, relationship-based approaches to emotions and conflict, with clear consequences for inappropriate behavior during the academic day and in the dorms. The environment is designed to be happy, caring, and safe, with routines and expectations that support student safety and well-being. The policy applies to staff, students, and dorm life, reinforcing safeguarding across school life.

Parent Experience

Community

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake is a close-knit, globally minded school on Vancouver Island. Learning extends beyond the classroom and is balanced, active, and connected to the real world. Our community brings together local day students and international boarders, creating a diverse and welcoming environment where perspectives are shared. Relationships matter; students are known, supported, and encouraged to find their place inside and outside the classroom.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Parent Community Engagement Group (PCEG) supports and fosters a strong parent community to best support students and school staff. The PCEG meets once a month to collaborate with parents and school officials to arrange community engagement projects and fundraisers. 2025-2026 PCEG Executives: Co-Chair - Leigh-Anne Kaiser; Co-Chair - Kim Teixeira; Vice Chair - Tanya Smith; Treasurer - Anna Callegari; Secretary - Melissa Gedney.

Facilities

Extra Curricular Facilities

W.I.L.D. Program is a two-year BC Dogwood Diploma Path for students entering Grade 11 in September 2026, blending academic work with real-world adventure. It offers weekly expeditions and professional outdoor certifications. Sample Grade 11 courses include English, Math, Geography, Environmental Science, Life Sciences (Biology), Chemistry or Art, and Outdoor Education. Certifications include Wilderness First Aid, Bronze Cross, Paddle Canada, Leave No Trace, and Avalanche Safety.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. The language of instruction is English. The IB model provides a broad, inquiry-based academic foundation across a range of subjects, including Visual Arts, Economics, Physics, English A Language and Literature, French AB, Mandarin AB, Spanish AB, and more. Coordinators support these programs on site: Diploma Programme coordinator Eric Venables and Middle Years Programme coordinator Bradley Myrholm.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake is nestled against Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. The campus is lakefront and set in a natural setting with forested areas and trails. A dock on the lake and scenic views contribute to an outdoor-oriented campus environment.

Languages

Language Provision

The school teaches in English. English Language Learning (ELL) is available for Grades 7–10 and is integrated into the school day in place of French, providing structured language development. English Intensive (EI) provides additional language support for Grades 11–12 or younger students requiring enhanced language development. The Diploma Programme includes language courses such as French AB, French B, Mandarin AB, Spanish AB and Spanish B; English remains the language of instruction across the IB Diploma Programme.

Admissions

Step 1: Register in OpenApply. Create your account to begin your application. This starts the admissions journey and collects initial information. The OpenApply portal houses the application materials. Step 2: Complete the Application. Provide Student Information, Parent/Legal Guardian Information (include all guardians where applicable), Academic Information, and the Parent/Student Questionnaire. Step 3: Upload Supporting Documents. Birth Certificate (local applicants only); Citizenship Document (international applicants only); Student Photo; Two (2) Most Recent Report Cards; Teacher Reference Form; IEP or Psychoeducational Assessment (if applicable). Step 4: English Language Assessment. Required for applicants whose first language is not English. Versant English Language Assessment; Duolingo English Test; IELTS; TOEFL. Step 5: Shadow Day. Beginning in mid-February, eligible applicants are invited to attend a Shadow Day to experience life at St. John's firsthand. Step 6: Student Interview. After the application is submitted, the Admissions Team will contact you to schedule a student interview. Step 7: Admissions Review & Decision. Following the interview and any required assessments or Shadow Day, families receive an admissions decision via email. If an offer is extended, families have two weeks to accept. Enrollment is secured by paying a non-refundable deposit and completing enrollment forms. Step 8: Waitpool. The student is qualified for admission. A space will be offered if one becomes available. Step 9: Not Aligned at This Time. The program may not be the best fit for the student at this time. Families may reapply in a future admissions cycle.

Scholarships

Scholarships are merit-based awards recognizing academic achievement and student contribution to the school community. They are intended as merit-based awards rather than financial aid. Scholarships apply to the tuition portion of fees and cannot be applied toward new enrollment deposits, re-enrollment deposits, or bussing. The school does not offer bursaries or need-based financial assistance, and scholarships are not guaranteed and must be applied to annually. Scholarship applications are due March 31 each year. 2025-2026 scholarships include: Academic Excellence Scholarship (up to 50% of tuition; requires strong academic performance and leadership); Seawolf Identity Scholarship (up to 25% of tuition; for leaders, explorers, and the pack; must uphold school values and contribute to the community); Remote Location Support and Representation Scholarship; Global Citizenship Scholarship (up to 50% of tuition; for international students; supports cultural ambassadors and high standards).

Waitlist

Waitpool: The student is qualified for admission; a space will be offered if one becomes available.

School Events

The school has not added events

FAQs

Where is St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake located, and what is the campus like for international students?

St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake sits at 2371 Shawnigan Lake Rd, Shawnigan Lake, BC, on Vancouver Island. The campus is lakefront with forested areas and trails, offering a rural yet connected setting. It serves local day students and international boarders as a co-educational independent IB World School.

What IB programs does the school offer and which grades are covered by MYP and DP?

The school offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning and international-mindedness, guided by the IB Learner Profile. Instruction is in English.

Who is the head of the school, and is the school a boarding-focused institution?

The head of school is Josh Hart. The school is an independent, co-educational IB World School offering both day and on-campus boarding options.

What are the key steps for international applicants during the admissions process?

Applications are submitted via OpenApply, and eligible applicants may participate in a Shadow Day beginning in mid-February. The process also includes an admissions interview and an English assessment if required. If an offer is made, families have two weeks to accept, and enrollment is secured with a non-refundable deposit and enrollment forms.

Are there merit-based scholarships, and how do they work?

Scholarships are merit-based and apply to the tuition portion of fees; they are not bursaries or need-based financial aid. Scholarships must be applied for by March 31 each year and include options such as Academic Excellence, Seawolf Identity, Remote Location Support, and Global Citizenship.

Is there a waitlist or waitpool for admissions, and how does it function?

Yes, there is a waitpool. A student is qualified for admission and placed in the waitpool; a space will be offered if one becomes available.

What language is primarily used for instruction, and what language support exists in Grades 7–12?

English is the language of instruction across the IB programmes. ELL is available for Grades 7–10 and is integrated into the day in place of French, with English Intensive (EI) blocks available for Grades 11–12 or younger students requiring enhanced language development.

What languages can students study within the Diploma Programme?

Within the Diploma Programme, language options include French AB, French B, Mandarin AB, Spanish AB and Spanish B.

What post-secondary support is available for senior students?

Senior students have access to post-secondary counselling coordinated by the school, with support from a dedicated Student Services team to help with university applications and related resources.

What campus features support wellbeing and outdoor learning?

The campus is lakefront with a dock, surrounded by forested areas and trails, creating an outdoor-oriented environment that complements IB learning and wellbeing.

What is the W.I.L.D. program, and what does it entail for Grade 11 students?

The W.I.L.D. program is a two-year BC Dogwood Diploma Path for students entering Grade 11 in September 2026. It blends academic work with weekly expeditions and professional outdoor certifications such as Wilderness First Aid, Bronze Cross, Paddle Canada, Leave No Trace, and Avalanche Safety.

Are there any specific facilities or details about sports and academics not publicly listed?

Detailed information about specific sports facilities or academic facilities is not published in public materials. The campus emphasizes its outdoor and co-curricular focus as part of the boarding experience.

What opportunities exist beyond the classroom, such as clubs or leadership programs?

Beyond the classroom, the school emphasizes the WILD program with expeditions and outdoor certifications, and IB programmes provide a broad, inquiry-based academic foundation across subjects. The Diploma and MYP coordinators—Eric Venables and Bradley Myrholm—support IB programming on site.

Who coordinates the Diploma Programme and the Middle Years Programme on campus?

The Diploma Programme is coordinated by Eric Venables, and the Middle Years Programme is coordinated by Bradley Myrholm.

What weekend or off-campus activities do boarding students participate in?

As part of the boarding experience, there are weekly off-campus trips each weekend that provide practical learning opportunities and adventures outside the campus.

What wellbeing and safeguarding resources are available to students?

The school has a Guidance Counsellor and a Student Services team focused on wellbeing, with post-secondary counselling for seniors. A Best Practice Discipline Policy supports a safe and respectful learning community across school life, including dorm life.

How is language support structured for ELL and SEN students, and what are the associated costs?

ELL is available for Grades 7–10 and costs USD 4,700 per year. English Intensive (EI) provides additional language support for Grades 11–12 or younger students needing extra help, also at USD 4,700 per year. For SEN, there are three Learning Support categories with fees of USD 2,250, USD 2,750, and USD 3,500 per year, based on level of accommodation and support.

What is included in the boarding experience regarding meals and uniforms?

Boarding for international students includes meals and snacks, along with accommodation, laundry, and other services. First-year uniform costs are USD 1,500 for international boarders, compared with USD 1,000 for local day students.

How does the school describe its boarding and day student integration and campus culture?

The school promotes a One School environment where local day students and international boarders participate in joint activities and weekend trips, fostering a diverse and connected community.

What language options exist for the Diploma Programme and how is English used in instruction?

The Diploma Programme offers language courses such as French AB, French B, Mandarin AB, Spanish AB, and Spanish B, with English remaining the language of instruction across the DP.

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