FAQs

Answers to the most common questions from prospective families are gathered here, covering admissions, programs, boarding, athletics, transportation, and more. If you do not find what you are looking for, our team is always happy to hear from you.

About St. John’s Academy

  • St. John’s Academy Shawnigan Lake is an independent, IB World School located on the shores of Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We welcome students from Grade 4 through Grade 12 into one close-knit, globally minded community. Our student body is composed of approximately 75% local day students and 25% international boarding students. St. John’s Academy is a non-profit, meaning that any proceeds are re-invested in the school's offerings and facilities.

  • No. St. John’s Academy Shawnigan Lake is a non-denominational, independent school welcoming students of all backgrounds and beliefs.

  • We currently welcome local students from Grade 4 through Grade 12 and international students from Grade 6 through 12. We are actively planning to expand our offering to include Kindergarten through Grade 3 in the coming years, growing into a full K–12 school. Families interested in early years enrollment are welcome to contact us to learn more about our plans.

  • St. John’s Academy is guided by three core values: Courage, Integrity, and Caring. Our student identities are: the Explorer, the Leader, and the Pack. Our motto is “Curious by Nature, Empowered to Act, Stronger Together”.

  • Several things set us apart; we are one of the few schools on Vancouver Island to offer the full IB programme from Grade 6 (MYP) through Grade 12 (DP); our campus sits directly on the shores of Shawnigan Lake at the foot of Baldy Mountain, making the natural environment a genuine and daily part of how we teach; we are small enough that every student is known by name by their teachers, their dorm parents, and the wider community around them.

Programs and Academics

  • Yes. St. John’s Academy is an IB World School. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) runs through Grades 6 to 10 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) is available to students in Grades 11 and 12. Students may also choose to complete the IB Certificates in classes of their choice rather than the full Diploma.

  • Yes. All students at St. John’s graduate with a BC Dogwood Diploma, regardless of which senior Pursuit they choose.

  • Students in Grades 11 and 12 choose a specialized Pursuit, each paired with the BC Dogwood Diploma.

    • The WILD Program focuses on outdoor education and may include professional certifications in Wilderness First Aid, Bronze Cross, Paddle Canada, Leave No Trace, and Avalanche Safety.

    • The CREATE Program is built around artistic practice and creative expression.

    • The BEACON Program focuses on business and entrepreneurship.

    • The COMPASS Program is a fully flexible, bespoke pathway built around a student’s own interests and goals in partnership with local experts and businesses.

    • The IB Diploma Program challenges students to engage deeply with six subject areas, complete an extended independent essay, participate in creativity, activity, and service (CAS), and develop the research and critical thinking skills that university demands.

  • Yes. French is taught as part of the core curriculum for grades 4–10, with the option to continue on in Senior grades. International students may choose English as their second language, joining our ELL program or ISLA instead of French.

  • Yes. St. John’s Academy holds articulation agreements with several post-secondary institutions that provide qualifying graduates with guaranteed pathways to university admission. Please contact our admissions team for more information about current partner institutions.

  • Students across all grades take part in a structured co-curricular program twice a week, choosing from a wide and rotating range of activities spanning the arts, the outdoors, technology, service, and beyond. Past and current offerings have included stand-up paddle boarding, eco club, robotics, Model UN, woodworking, baking, improv, art club, Interact club, and many more. New activities are introduced regularly, and senior students may also access a selection of BC-credited elective courses.

  • Applications are submitted through OpenApply, our online admissions platform. Once you have created an account and completed the application form, you will be guided through the steps to submit supporting documents, arrange any required assessments, and schedule a Shadow Day and student interview. Our admissions team is here to support you at every step.

  • Required documents include a student photo, two most recent report cards, a teacher reference form, and either a birth certificate (for local applicants) or a citizenship document (for international applicants). If your child has an IEP or psychoeducational assessment, we ask that you include this as well so that we can plan appropriate support from the start.

  • Eligible applicants are invited to spend a Shadow Day at St. John’s Academy: a day where your child attends classes, explores the campus, and experiences the rhythm of daily life here. It is one of our favourite parts of the admissions process and one of the best ways to know whether SJASL is the right fit for your child!

  • Following the completion of the application, Shadow Day, and interview, families receive one of three outcomes: an Offer to Enroll, a Waitpool notification, or a notification that the program may not be the right fit at this time. Families receiving an offer have two weeks to accept, with enrollment secured upon payment of a non-refundable deposit. We review applications on a rolling basis.

  • Yes. St. John’s Academy offers several entrance scholarships recognizing academic excellence, community involvement, global citizenship, and students from remote or underserved communities. We also offer the prestigious Endeavour Awards: three full-tuition, three-year scholarships for exceptional students entering Grade 10. Internal awards, including the Seawolf Identity Award and the Dave Pontich Legacy Award, are granted by nomination at the end of each year. We also offer bursaries, please see our Tuition and Fees page and contact our Admissions team for more information.

Admissions