Shawnigan Lake School

The school is committed to a values-based, holistic education that develops the whole person. It emphasizes personal excellence, intellectual risk-taking, and the development of 21st-century skills within a respectful, diverse community. The school encourages students to understand and commit to the heritage of Canada and British Columbia while preparing them to be purposeful and of service in a global world.

The academic curriculum includes core subjects such as Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Mathematics (including Pre-calculus and Calculus), English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Modern Languages (French, Spanish, Mandarin). The school offers an AP Capstone Diploma program and various Advanced Placement courses. Fine arts offerings include visual arts, dance, drama, film, and music technology, while business studies are also available.

The school reports a 100% university acceptance rate for its graduates. Its programming is designed to prepare students for independent futures and to shape the next generation of global leaders.

The school provides a Learning Centre with specialists to support students' academic needs. An Advisor program pairs every student with a staff member who assists with decision-making, monitors progress, and serves as a primary point of contact for parents. Additionally, the school offers English Language Support for students whose first language is not English.

The school welcomes boarding applications for grades 8–11 and day applications for grades 8–10. The application process requires an online form, submission of recent report cards, a passport, English proficiency test results, and teacher recommendations, followed by an interview. Admissions decisions are based on academic performance, potential, extracurricular accomplishments, and integrity.

The school operates on a structured academic schedule with classes held Monday through Friday, supplemented by tutorials and specific programming like '360' (Mondays/Wednesdays), athletics (Tuesdays/Thursdays), and 'SOUL Seeking' (Fridays). Saturdays include tutorials, chapel, and athletics. The school year typically concludes in June with events such as Closing Day.

Located on a 270-acre lakeside campus, the school features extensive facilities including a hockey arena, sportsplex with basketball gyms and squash courts, and a fitness centre. Arts facilities include the Bruce-Lockhart Centre for Creativity, the Hugh Wilkinson Theatre, a dance studio, and an AV/production/recording studio. The grounds also house a private dock and boathouse, a rugby pavilion, an observatory, a robotics lab, a salmon hatchery, and a growing dome.

Students participate in a wide range of activities including Model United Nations, debating, and public speaking. The 'Beyond the Gates' program offers experiential learning, such as the 'Week Without Walls' where students engage in hiking, kayaking, and outdoor exploration. The arts program includes dance, drama, music, and visual arts, while athletics feature competitive sports such as hockey, rugby, rowing, basketball, squash, and volleyball.