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St. John's-Kilmarnock School

Canada, Waterloo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$26,925 - 86,700
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 545
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1972
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages French
Typical class size 17
Strengths Academic Enrichment, Performing Arts, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

St. John's-Kilmarnock School is an independent, co-educational, not-for-profit IB Continuum school on a 40-acre campus in Breslau, Ontario, within the Waterloo Region. Founded in 1972, SJK is one of only a few IB Continuum schools in Canada, offering the Primary Years Programme (JK-Grade 6), Middle Years Programme (Grades 7-10), and Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12). The school has an average class size of 17 and achieves a 100% post-secondary admission rate. A boarding programme for Grades 9-12 operates in partnership with St. Jerome's University on the University of Waterloo campus. The campus features Newton House with a Learning Commons and Dining Hall, a Chapel, Athletics Centre with a double gymnasium, the Boathouse, an Art, Design and Media Centre, and an OmniCourt. SJK holds accreditation from CAIS, CIS Ontario, and the IBO.

2201 Shantz Station Rd, Breslau, ON N0B 1M0, Canada

The Essentials

St. John's-Kilmarnock School has 545 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English.

Location
SJK is located on a 40-acre natural campus at 2201 Shantz Station Road in Breslau, Ontario, minutes from the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and Guelph. The school is approximately one hour from Toronto Pearson International Airport. A daily express bus service transports boarding students between the residence in Waterloo and the Breslau campus.

Stages
The school is divided into a Lower School (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6) following the IB Primary Years Programme and an Upper School (Grades 7-12) covering the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. The Diploma Programme also offers Focused Disciplinary Pathways in Creative Industries, Human Performance and Health Entrepreneurship, and STEM Explorations and Innovations.

Type
SJK is an independent, co-educational, not-for-profit day and boarding school. Boarding is available for Grades 9 to 12, accommodating approximately 50 students in partnership with St. Jerome's University on the University of Waterloo campus.

Additional learning support
The Learning Services Team includes four specialist learning support teachers across the Lower and Upper School, including a Literacy Specialist and a Math Specialist. The team develops personalised learning strategies, Learning Support Plans, accommodations, assistive technology, and progress-monitored interventions. All students may access learning support services through teacher, parent, or self-referral.

Country affiliation
The school is a Canadian independent school, accredited by the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and a member of CIS Ontario.

Religious affiliation
The school has a Chapel of St. Margaret & St. John on campus and a School Chaplain (Rev. Judy Steers). While the school has historical Anglican roots from its founding schools, it operates as an inclusive, non-denominational institution.

Bus service
A daily express bus service operates between the boarding residence at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo and the main campus in Breslau. The bus runs on weekday mornings and afternoons. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
SJK offers co-educational boarding for Grades 9 to 12, housing approximately 50 students at St. Jerome's University on the University of Waterloo campus. Each boarder has a single, private room with bed, closet, desk, and sink. Gender-specific wings separate boys and girls, with shared washrooms at hallway ends. Common areas include a lounge, study rooms, dining hall with kitchen, a games room with pool table and table tennis, and an outdoor patio. Five full-time live-in staff provide 24/7 supervision.

Food Options
A full meal plan is included in the boarding fee. Breakfast and dinner are served in the residence dining hall, with lunch and morning snacks provided at school on weekdays and at the residence on weekends. Dana Hospitality prepares meals using local, fresh ingredients with a Red Seal-certified chef.

Governance and Ownership
SJK is an independent, not-for-profit school governed by a Board of Governors. The school was formed from the merger of St. John's School for Boys (founded 1972 in Elora) and St. Margaret's School for Girls (founded 1975). The SJK Foundation supports fundraising and advancement.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. John's-Kilmarnock School ranges from CAD 26,925 to CAD 86,700 for 2026/27.

Day Student Tuition (2026-2027)
- Junior Kindergarten: CAD 26,925
- Senior Kindergarten: CAD 26,925
- Grades 1-6: CAD 33,375
- Grades 7-10: CAD 34,325
- Grades 11-12: CAD 36,475

Boarding Student Tuition (Grades 9-12)
CAD 86,700 (includes tuition, boarding, bus transportation, health insurance, meals, custodianship, laundry, airport transport, and ancillary account up to CAD 2,500)

International Day Student Tuition
CAD 54,480 (includes tuition, health insurance, and ancillary account up to CAD 2,500)

Registration Fees
- New day students: CAD 3,000
- New boarding/international day students: CAD 5,000

Deposits
- Day students: CAD 5,000 tuition deposit (credited toward total tuition)
- Boarding students: CAD 15,000 deposit (credited toward total fees)
- International day students: CAD 15,000 deposit (credited toward total tuition)

Additional Costs
Supplementary fees for uniforms, supplies, trips, clubs, and tournaments apply at all grade levels.
Academics

St. John's-Kilmarnock School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
SJK is one of only a few IB Continuum schools in Canada, offering all three IB programmes. The Primary Years Programme (JK-Grade 6) uses hands-on, inquiry-based learning. The Early Years (JK-Grade 1) incorporates a Reggio Emilia approach. The Middle Years Programme (Grades 7-10) deepens disciplinary exploration. The Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12) offers a traditional IB Diploma pathway and three Focused Disciplinary Pathways: Creative Industries, Human Performance and Health Entrepreneurship, and STEM Explorations and Innovations.

Student Teacher Ratio
The average class size is 17 students. The school has approximately 545 students across Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Higher Education Progression
SJK achieves a 100% post-secondary admission rate. Graduates pursue programmes in STEM, business, and the arts at a range of post-secondary institutions.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Advisor Program pairs each student with a faculty advisor for ongoing personal and academic support. The Wellness programme at SJK is accessed regularly by students and provides emotional support within an inclusive school environment.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Services Team includes four specialist teachers: a Literacy Specialist and a general Learning Support Teacher in the Lower School, and two Learning Support Teachers in the Upper School. The team identifies student strengths and growth areas, develops personalised learning strategies and Learning Support Plans, provides accommodations and assistive technology, delivers personalised interventions with progress monitoring, and collaborates with faculty on classroom-level supports. All students may access services through teacher, parent, or self-referral.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Guidance Department offers TOEFL and ESL assistance for international students. The school hosts the SAT/PSAT testing centre for the Waterloo Region.

Mental Wellbeing
A Manager of Student Health & Wellbeing (Christina Yager) coordinates wellness services. A registered nurse (Kayla Bearinger) is on campus. The Guidance team provides career advice, academic support, and personal growth assistance. The Wellness programme is accessed regularly by students.

Safeguarding
Five full-time live-in boarding staff provide 24/7 supervision. A registered nurse and certified athletic therapist are on campus. Baseline cognitive testing and ImPACT head injury management are standard for Grades 6-12.
Parent Experience

History
St. John's School for Boys was established in 1972 in Elora, Ontario. In 1975, St. Margaret's School was founded to offer an equivalent educational experience for girls. The two schools merged in 1985 and were renamed St. John's-Kilmarnock School in 1983, honouring the founding headmaster's Scottish ancestry. In 1990, both schools relocated to a unified campus near Breslau. The school received its official Coat of Arms in 1993 and has since expanded with the Chapel (2000), Athletics Centre (2001), the Boathouse (2014), Newton House (2016), and Art, Design and Media Centre (2023). The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022.

Community
The school operates a Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) programme and a Five Worlds Program that engage students in community service and experiential learning. Annual fundraising initiatives and donor impact programmes are coordinated through the SJK Foundation. An alumni network of over 1,500 members maintains connections through events and giving programmes.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The 40-acre natural campus includes Newton House (Learning Commons and Dining Hall, opened 2016), the Chapel of St. Margaret & St. John (2000), the Boathouse (2014, expanded 2020), an Art, Design and Media Centre (2023), a Celebration Garden and Outdoor Classroom (2022), and the OmniCourt multi-sport surface (2025). The CAIS Visiting Committee described the facilities as 'excellent — well designed, thoughtfully decorated, highly functional.'

Sports Facilities
The 15,000-square-foot Athletics and Health Centre features a double gymnasium, a full fitness centre, and four change rooms with shower facilities. The campus has four outdoor playing fields, an OmniCourt multi-purpose court, and the Boathouse on the waterfront. An on-campus Athletic Therapy Clinic provides pre-competition taping, on-site injury care, baseline cognitive testing for Grades 6-12, and ImPACT head injury management.

Academic Facilities
Newton House contains the Learning Commons and Dining Hall. The Art, Design and Media Centre opened in 2023. Classrooms are designed to support PYP, MYP, and DP curricula with both indoor and outdoor experiential learning spaces. The Chapel serves as both a spiritual and community gathering space.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Boathouse provides waterfront facilities for outdoor and experiential programming. Four outdoor playing fields and the OmniCourt support co-curricular sports. The campus grounds are used for grade-specific camps and outdoor education programming as part of the Five Worlds Program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Over 50 clubs and activities are offered through a robust co-curricular programme structured in 6-8 week sessions. Academic enrichment activities include the Five Worlds Program, which combines experiential learning with cross-curricular inquiry.

Arts & Creative
The arts programme spans Visual Arts, Music, and Dramatic Arts from early education through graduation. Students participate in theatrical productions, school band performances, and visual arts exhibitions. The CAIS Visiting Committee noted a strong collaborative culture among the arts departments.

Social & Hobbies
Co-curricular clubs meet weekly from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in 6-8 week sessions, offering a rotating selection of activities across arts, academics, athletics, and social interests.

Community & Service
The Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) programme is a core component for Diploma Programme students. The school runs community engagement initiatives through the Five Worlds Program and SJK Foundation fundraising activities.

Leadership & Professional
A dedicated Student Leadership programme provides opportunities for governance and initiative. The Advisor Program pairs students with faculty mentors for personal and academic development guidance.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Pre-Varsity athletics (JK-Grade 6) and Varsity athletics (Grades 7-12) offer competitive and recreational sports. An Athletic Therapy Clinic provides daily on-site care with a certified athletic therapist. The Wellness programme supports student mental and physical health.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary language of instruction. French is offered as a taught subject. The school hosts the SAT testing centre for the Waterloo Region and offers TOEFL and ESL support for international students through the Guidance Department.
Reputation

Accreditations
International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) — Authorised IB World School offering the full IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP), one of only a few Continuum schools in Canada.
Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) — Nationally accredited independent school with a 2018 visiting committee that praised facilities and arts programming.
Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario (CIS Ontario) — Member school within Ontario's independent school network.
Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) — Faculty certified by the provincial teaching regulatory body.
Admissions

Admissions
1. 351.
2. Schedule a campus visit or attend an Open House to tour the school and meet faculty.
3. Submit a formal application for the appropriate programme: Primary Years (JK-Grade 6), Middle Years (Grades 7-10), Diploma (Grades 11-12), or Boarding (Grades 9-12). Day and boarding students follow separate application processes.
4. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis starting in August the year before entry, with first offers typically extended in mid-October. Admission is competitive and not all qualified applicants can be accommodated.
5. Pay the registration fee: CAD 3,000 for day students or CAD 5,000 for boarding and international day students, plus the applicable tuition deposit.

Scholarships
Financial assistance is available through the Affording SJK programme. The school is committed to ensuring access to students of merit regardless of means.

Waitlist
Admission is competitive and space availability can be very limited in some grades. The school cannot accommodate all qualified applicants.
School Events
The school has not added events
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