Co-Curricular Activities
Giving Passion a Place to Grow
Learning at St. John’s Academy takes many forms, and our co-curricular program is where some of the most unexpected and lasting discoveries happen. Twice a week during X-Block, students across all grades step outside their core subjects and into something entirely their own by picking up a paddle, a paintbrush, a chess piece, a trowel, or a microphone alongside peers they might not otherwise spend time with. Co-curricular activities are guided by educators and community members who bring genuine enthusiasm to everything they share. Our co-curricular program is built to round out the academic experience and extend each student’s sense of what they are capable of.
How it Works
At the start of each term, students choose their top three preferences from a list of offerings. Younger students explore the options together in their advisory classes, while older students receive the full program guide to browse at their own pace. Every student is guaranteed a place in one of their top choices, which appears directly in their timetable, making co-curriculars a built-in, valued part of the school week. Sports teams, band, student council, and house leadership run outside of co-curricular time, providing students with the opportunity to be involved in multiple areas of school life.
Junior Years
For our youngest students, co-curriculars are about exploration, joy, and the pleasure of trying something completely new in a low-pressure environment. Junior Years students choose from a range of hands-on, creative, and outdoor activities designed to spark curiosity and build confidence alongside peers from across their grade group. Current and recent offerings have included paddle boarding on Shawnigan Lake, outdoor exploration, the Great SJA Bake-Off, junior architecture, forage and formulate, book club, team sports and games, and magic and juggling, with new options added regularly to keep things fresh and surprising.
Middle Years
As students grow into greater independence, co-curriculars become an opportunity to go deeper to pursue a genuine interest, take on a creative challenge, or contribute to the wider school community in a meaningful way. Middle Years students choose from a broader and more varied menu of options spanning the arts, the outdoors, technology, service, and beyond. Recent and current offerings have included senior art club, robotics and tech, music production, outdoor education, running club, strategy board games, the SJA student magazine, Model UN, woodworking, intro to improv, and Interact Club (a service organization with a global reach and a local heart).
Senior Years
For senior students, co-curriculars take on an added dimension. In addition to the full program of activities available across the school, DP students are invited to use X-Block as an extension of their Creativity, Activity, and Service requirements. Grade 12 students also have access to Grad Council, a student-led group that plays an active role in shaping the final year of the St. John’s Academy experience. For senior students who want to go further, a selection of BC-credited courses, including Psychology, Studio Arts, Outdoor Education, Active Living, and Service Leadership, may also be offered in addition to the co-curricular program.