Shawnigan Lake School (2025 Profile) - Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada

5.00 (2 reviews)

Tel: (250) 743-6207

1975 Renfrew Road
Shawnigan Lake, BC, V0R2W1, Canada

www.shawnigan.ca

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Shawnigan Lake School Photo #1 - At Shawnigan, the journey always begins and ends with the individual. No two young people are the same, and the art of a boarding school like ours is to cultivate their unique talents while teaching them to learn together, to work together, to play together and to live together.

Shawnigan Lake School Photo #4 - Although the majority (80%) of students come from Canada and the United States, students from more than thirty countries are counted in our student body. This diversity allows for unique perspectives and opinions, and gives students a greater degree of global awareness.

Shawnigan Lake School Photo #5 - The entire school gathers daily for sit-down meals in Marion Hall. This architecturally stunning facility allows for students and staff to share a family-style dining experience.

Shawnigan Lake School Photo #7 - Shawnigan was founded in 1916, and while the School still honours many of its long-held traditions, it also has a solid footing in the world of today, and an innovative eye on tomorrow.

Shawnigan Lake School Photo #8 - Creative opportunities abound at Shawnigan, where students can choose from more than 30 Fine Arts programs including music, visual arts, drama, dance, woodworking and video production. Service education is also a vital part of the School program, evidenced in programs like the Environment Club and the EDGE Leadership Program.

Shawnigan Lake School Photo #9 - Shawnigan continually develops and expands its first-class athletics program. Our teams have won provincial and national championships in sports including rugby, ice hockey, rowing, squash and field hockey.

Shawnigan Lake School is a world-class, co-ed boarding school located on Vancouver Island.

Our setting is magnificent 380 acres in a safe, clean, rural environment that boasts sweeping lawns, gorgeous gardens and excellent facilities.

Shawnigan delivers a challenging university-preparatory program. Of particular interest is the number of our grads accepted at top Canadian and American universities like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, McGill, Queens and the University of Toronto.

Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: 8-12
Enrollment: 515 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $50,500
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $27,200
Acceptance rate: 60%
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Shawnigan Lake School ranks among the top 10 schools with > 400 students (out of 96 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2024 School Data

Shawnigan Lake School

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

8-12

School Type

Co-ed

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Supports Learning Differences (LD)

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Language-based differences, giftedness

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1916

Campus Size

380 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Enrollment

515 students

% Students of Color

% International Students

20%

% Students Boarding

90%

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes

Yes

Frequency of Saturday Classes

Weekly

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

Average Class Size

16 students

Student : Teacher Ratio

8:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

40%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size

$13.5 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$50,500

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$27,200

Tuition international students

$67,900

Summer Program Cost

$3,900
(Boarding, Meals and Transportation included)

% Students on Financial Aid

25%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$17,400

Merit Scholarships Offered

Yes

Admissions

Application Deadline

None / Rolling

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

Acceptance Rate

60%

Director of Admissions

Mrs. Gaynor Samuel

Associate Director of Admissions

Ms. Margot Allen

Application URL

Online Application

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

2-D Design Portfolio, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry 12, Chinese Language and Culture, Computer Science, English Language and Composition, English Literature, European History, French Language and Culture, German, Human Geography, Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C , Spanish, United States History

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

Badminton, Ballet, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Golf, Ice Hockey, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

EDGE Program, Goss Rifle Team

Club or Organization:
Civic Leadership, Constabulary, Entrepreneurship Club, Environment Club, Voices/Diversity Club, Year Book

Arts and Music Programs:
Birding Society, Choir, Computer Graphics, Concert Club, Dance Club, Debate Club, Drama Club, Drama Troupe, Etiquette Committee, Fashion Design, Film Club, Fine Arts Club, First Tee Program of the PGA, Latham Society (writing), M Club, Reserve Jazz Project, Sewing, String Orchestra, Super Fan Club, Textile Arts, Website Design, Woodworking

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Camping Club, Skiing

College Matriculation

Year:

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

School Mascot: Stag
Founded in 1916, Shawnigan is an independent, co-educational, university-preparatory boarding school for students in grades 8-12. The campus is ideally located in the peaceful village of Shawnigan Lake on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia, approximately 45 minutes north of the city of Victoria. The town of Shawnigan Lake is located in the Cowichan Valley, often referred to as the "Provence" of Canada because of the vast number of vineyards, gourmet restaurants and organic farms. Local organic produce, gourmet cheeses and seafood fresh from the sea are in abundance.
Academic Program - Shawnigan's academic program is university preparatory; the curriculum meets and exceeds British Columbia Ministry of Education standards. Both Honours and Advanced Placement courses are available.
Extra Curricular Sports and Fine Arts Program - Sports and Fine Arts are a mandatory part of the curriculum at Shawnigan. Rugby and Rowing are a focus for boys and girls. Volleyball, field hockey, cross country, basketball, tennis, squash, soccer, swimming, and sailing are some of the other sports offered. Shawnigan also has an active outdoor pursuits program, which takes advantage of our natural surroundings through hiking, kayaking and camping. Shawnigan recognizes that students have different abilities, and we therefore offer various levels of competition. We also believe that Fine Arts help to develop lifelong skills for students in drama, art, photography, sculpture, woodworking, dance, music, pottery, voice and community outreach, among others. One Fine Art, the Environment Club, has recently been augmented through the addition of our own salmon hatchery and on-site recycling and composting facilities.
EDGE Leadership Program - EDGE stands for: Engagement of mind, body and spirit; Development of individuals; Gratitude that grows from awareness; and Experience, the most powerful teacher. This program began as a Re-building trip in the wake of the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand. Out of this humanitarian outreach endeavour grew what is known today at Shawnigan as the EDGE Leadership Programme. To date, Shawnigan`s EDGE Leadership Programme has sent twelve teams to Thailand, one to Argentina, one to Laos, three to China, one to South Africa and one to Zimbabwe.
Campus - Shawnigan's Board of Governors firmly believes that inspired teaching and learning happen in an inspiring setting and we are fortunate to have one of the finest campuses in the world. The rural, 380-acre lakeside campus is the ideal setting for this vibrant community of learners. Our state-of-the-art facilities are a direct result of the generous support of our alumni, parents, and friends and we remain committed to constant improvement
LD types supported: Language-based differences, giftedness
Shawnigan Lake School accreditations: Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), Western Boarding Schools Association (WBSA), BC Independent Schools Association (ISABC), Federation of Independent Schools (FISA),

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Shawnigan Lake School cost?

Shawnigan Lake School's tuition is approximately $50,500 for boarding students and $27,200 for day students.

What schools are Shawnigan Lake School often compared to?

Shawnigan Lake Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Brentwood College School by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of Shawnigan Lake School?

The acceptance rate of Shawnigan Lake School is 60%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.

What sports does Shawnigan Lake School offer?

Shawnigan Lake School offers 19 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Ballet, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Golf, Ice Hockey, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball.

Does Shawnigan Lake School offer a summer program?

Yes, Shawnigan Lake School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What is Shawnigan Lake School's ranking?

Shawnigan Lake School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of boarding students.

When is the application deadline for Shawnigan Lake School?

The application deadline for Shawnigan Lake School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review

Description

Shawnigan Lake School Alumni #1
Class of 2019
5.005/27/2020
Boston University

To me, Shawnigan Lake School is unique in that it is a close-knitted community. Rather than compete, collaboration is how students and staff practice on a daily basis. Also, Shawnigan instills a sense of leadership. . .

Shawnigan Lake School Alumni #2
Class of 1999
5.002/24/2009
UBC

The first thing you'll notice about Shawnigan that sets it apart is its stunning natural beauty set in a quiet, quaint, rural area. The buildings and facilities are spectacular and the very first time. . .

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