Academics
University and AP Highlights
As the 2025-26 school year begins at Shawnigan and at universities around the world, we are celebrating the success of those students who are moving on to the post-secondary ranks, as well as that of both graduates and returning students in AP exams.
The School had 152 graduates in 2025, up from 140 in 2024. Of those grads, 139 (91.5 percent) are starting university this fall, while 13 (8.5 percent) are taking a gap year, mostly to play a sport. The most popular programs for students entering universities were – in order – social sciences, business/commerce, STEM, and health sciences. Students submitted an average of five applications per student, with 69 percent resulting in offers of admission. That was a significant jump from recent trends; 58 percent of applications resulted in offers in 2024, 59 percent in 2023, and 57 percent in 2022.
Of the students who opted to go straight into university, 84 (60 percent) are attending universities in Canada, followed by the US (16 percent), and the UK (14 percent), with the remainder heading to Australia, Spain, Mexico, Japan, Switzerland and Cyprus, for a total of 68 different universities across nine countries. The most popular individual universities were the University of Victoria (16), the University of Toronto (10), the University of BC (9), UBC Okanagan (6) and St. Andrews University (6). The Class of 2025 received more than $4.2 million in offers of financial aid.
All 152 members of the Class of 2025 received the Dogwood Diploma, with 10 attaining the Dual Dogwood, which demonstrates proof of English-French bilingualism. Seventy percent (106 students) earned Honours Standing on all their courses taken in the Grade 12 year, and 29.6 percent (45 students) earned a B average (minimum of 73 percent), with one student slightly below that benchmark.
Regarding the School’s AP program, 393 exams were written by 180 students, up from 342 exams written by 176 students a year earlier. Shawnigan students were equal to or above the provincial average in 11 of 25 courses, and above the global average in 18 of 25 courses.
Other highlights from the AP exams:
• Eight students took AP exams in Grade 10
• 22 students were AP Scholars (3 or higher on three or more AP exams)
• 18 students were AP Scholars with Honour (average of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and 3 or higher on four or more exams)
• 13 students were AP Scholars with Distinction (average of at least 4.09 on all AP exams taken, and 3 or more on five or more exams)
• Six students earned their AP International Diploma, which recognizes students who display exceptional achievement across a variety of disciplines: to include two different world languages, one AP offering a global perspective, one AP from a science, math, or computer science, and one additional exam (up from five in 2024)
• Three students achieved their AP Capstone Diploma (AP Seminar, AP research, and three other AP courses with a four or higher result (up from one in 2024)
• 77 students were recognized in total (up from 68 in 2024)
Congratulations to all the participants in the AP program last year. We were absolutely delighted with all the results.
Congratulations to all the participants in the AP program last year. We were absolutely delighted with all the results.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
