SCHOOL PROFILE 2011/2012

1080 Lucas Avenue Victoria BC, CANADA V8X 3P7

1.250.479.7171 • www.stmarg.ca

HEAD OF SCHOOL Cathy Thornicroft ACCREDITATION MEMBER OF CAIS ISABC, NAIS, NCGS, TABS

48% of girls’ school alumnae rate

themselves great at math versus 37% of

their co-ed peers.

97% of girls’ school graduates feel

confident with their public speaking skills.

Three times as many alumnae of single-sex

schools plan to become engineers.

Source: The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

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.

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.

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.

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

with boys.”- Susie, 12th Grade

Enrolment

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

Junior School (Preschool-Grade 6)....................138

Senior School (Grades 7-12)..............................246

Boarding (Grades 7-12)..............................140

English Language Program.........96

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

Average Class Size: 18 studentsStudent/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.

The All Girl Advantage

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 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.

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 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 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 high-tech 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.

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.

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.

Course OfferingsSENIOR PROGRAM: GRADES 10-12

ENGLISHEnglish 10, 11, 12Honours English 10, 11, 12Language and Literature Development 10Language and Literature 11English Literature 12Writing 12Communications 12AP English Literature and Composition Tutorial

SOCIAL SCIENCESSocial Studies 10, 11Comparative Civilizations 12Geography 12History 12Law 12

MATHEMATICS Foundation of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10Honours Foundation of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10Foundation of Mathematics 11, 12Pre-Calculus 11, 12AP Calculus 12

SCIENCESScience 10Psychology 11Biology 11, 12Chemistry 11, 12Physics 11, 12AP Chemistry Tutorials

LANGUAGESFrench 10, 11, 12Honours French 10, 11AP French TutorialIntroductory Spanish 11Spanish 11, 12Introductory Japanese 11Japanese 11, 12Introductory Mandarin 11Mandarin 11, 12

AT ST. MARGARET’S School

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.

% Honour Roll

% Head's List

% Neither

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

St Margaret's School

All Independent Schools

All Public Schools

EXAM RESULTS 2011/2012

BUSINESS EDUCATIONInvestment and Financial Planning 11, 12Economics 12

FINE ARTS AND APPLIED SKILLSVisual Arts 10, 11, 12Visual Arts 3-D 11, 12AP Studio ArtPhotography 11Information Technology 9, 10Information and Communication Technology 11, 12Beginning Band 10-12Band 10-12Concert Choir 10-12Drama Theatre 10-12Physical Education 9, 10, 11, 12

GUIDANCEPlanning 10Leadership 10, 11, 12Graduation Transitions 11/12

INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMBridge to French 10Canadian Culture 10TCanadian History 10 BridgeFoundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10TLanguage Acquisition Skills 10TLiterature Acquisition Skills 10TLanguage and Literature Development 10 BridgePlanning 10TScience 10T

our focus is on her.

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.

Advanced Placement Courses: Results by SubjectAs reported by The College Board

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(Percentage of students with qualifying grade of 3, 4 or 5)

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

St. Margaret's School

British Columbia

World

Our Graduates

For the year 2011/2012:

54 graduates126 offers of admission 47 universities and colleges40% offered scholarships95% enrolled in post-secondary programs immediately following graduation92% accepted to their first choice of institution

Leadership

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.

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.

Where girls who want to change the world

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 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

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.

Post-Secondary Destinations

CANADACarleton UniversityDalhousie UniversityKwantlen Polytechnic UniversityMax the Mutt Animation School – TorontoMcGill UniversityQueen’s UniversityRoyal Military CollegeRyerson UniversitySimon Fraser UniversityUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of British ColumbiaUniversity of CalgaryUniversity of GuelphUniversity of TorontoUniversity of VictoriaUniversity of WaterlooWestern UniversityCamosun CollegeLangara College

Where girls who want to change the world become women who do.

Arts

Social Sciences

Psychology

Sciences

Math

Business

Engineering

Health Sciences

Tourism

UNITED STATESAmerican UniversityArt Center College of Design – Los AngelesBoston CollegeBoston UniversityChicago Art InstituteCornell UniversityUniversity of Notre Dame – IndiannaPratt Institute – New York CitySchool of Visual Arts – New York CityTokai College – HawaiiUniversity of HawaiiUniversity of Illinois – UrbanaUniversity of Michigan – Ann Arbor OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICAInternational Study Centre at Herstmonceux Castle – East Sussex, EnglandKingston University – United KingdomKorea UniversityTaiwan College

Fields of Study 2011/2012

confident girls. inspiring women.

1080 Lucas Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia, V8X 3P7, CANADA1.250.479.7171•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 Admissions1.250.479.7171•admissions@stmarg.ca

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