Making the Right Choice

Help with an important decision

The boarding school you choose for your children will define their adolescence and play a significant role in shaping their approach to post-secondary opportunities and to their lives as adults. Finding the right school is essential.

Shawnigan offers a challenging program designed to see each student mature to full potential during the high school years. While that's an easy idea to embrace, it's more daunting to begin a new life away from home. It is important, then, for students and parents to be completely comfortable with the decision.

We pride ourselves on providing an extraordinarily welcoming environment for students and parents alike, and we strive to provide a complete picture of the school's expectations and routines to insure that families will be comfortable in weighing options. Where possible, we match visiting candidates with student tour guides of the same age and from the same geographical region to provide a clear sense of the opportunities and challenges of making the transition to Shawnigan.

At Shawnigan, we educate the whole person. Academic success is vital to future opportunities, but we believe that the pursuits of the mind must be joined with growth as a citizen, athlete, artist, and leader. The Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Swifter, Higher, Stronger) applies both literally and metaphorically to our program. We want our students to discover a path through the challenges of academics, athletics, arts, leadership, and service – and in doing so to discover within themselves the full extent of their personal resources.

It is our priority to live the life we describe in these pages and to deliver on the promises we make.

Through the application and interview process, we endeavor to learn as much as possible about each future student. Admissions decisions are based on a student’s academic performance and potential, extra-curricular skills and accomplishments, integrity, and suitability for the boarding experience.

We admit students for the following September on a continuous basis throughout the year, but it is advisable to apply as early as possible: Admission to Shawnigan is highly competitive and we cannot meet the demand for places in every grade.

If you have not already contacted the Admissions Office, you may call us at 250 743 6207 or complete an electronic request form. We will be pleased to mail a copy of our View Book and application to you.