Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Shawnigan Lake School

5.00 (1 review)
1975 Renfrew Road Shawnigan Lake, BC V8H 2G7
Tel: (250) 743-6207
www.shawnigan.ca
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 8-12
  • Enrollment: 540 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,320
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $43,810
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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 #6
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.
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About the School

  • Shawnigan Lake School is a world-class, co-ed boarding school located on Vancouver Island.
  • Our setting is magnificent 270 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, Queen's, and the University of Toronto.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 8-12
  • Enrollment: 540 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,320
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $43,810
  • 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 95 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
High percentage of international students

School Overview

2026 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
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1916
Campus Size
270 acres
School Motto
Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat (Let whosoever deserves the palm bear it)

Student Body

Enrollment
540 students
% International Students
31%
% Students Boarding
81%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
Yes
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Average Class Size
16 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Summer Program Offered
No
Accreditations
Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS-Canada)
Federation of Independent School Associations of BC (FISA-BC)
Independent Schools Association of British Columbia (ISABC)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Western Boarding Schools Association (WBSA)
# of AP Courses Offered
23
Courses
AP 2D/3D PortfolioAP Biology
AP Calculus ABAP Chemistry
AP Chinese Language & CultureAP Comparative Government
AP Computer ScienceAP Computer Science Principles
AP DrawingAP European History
AP French Language & CultureAP Language
AP LiteratureAP Macroeconomics
AP Physics 1AP Physics 2
AP PrecalculusAP Psychology
AP ResearchAP Seminar
AP Spanish Language & CultureAP Statistics
AP World History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$32 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$75,320
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$43,810
Tuition international students
$99,270
% Students on Financial Aid
37%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$17,400
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes

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Admissions

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
n/a%
Acceptance Rate
60%
Director of Admissions
Mrs. Gaynor Samuel
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
17
Sports
BadmintonBasketball
ClimbingCrew
Cross CountryDance
Field HockeyFigure Skating
GolfIce Hockey
KayakingRugby
SoccerSquash
TennisTrack and Field
Volleyball
Colors
Black and Gold
School Mascot
Stag

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
29
Extracurriculars
Arts and Music Programs:
AIX - AI Explorations of CreativityAstronomy Imaging and Outreach
CabaretClayworks
DanceDigital Design
Digital PhotographyFigure Skating
Film ProductionFly Tying
Grassroots Sports Leadership & ServiceGrowing Green
Homework HelpersMixed Media Art
Model UNMusical Theatre
Outdoor Leadership and DevelopmentPeer Counselling
Recording ArtsRemake Studio
RoboticsRock Band & Modern Music
SceneWorksService
Stage CrewStitch Lab and Jewelry Making
Studio ArtWatercolour and Sumi-e
Woodwork

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • 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.
  • Co-curricular Sports and Fine Arts Programs - Sports and fine arts are mandatory aspects of the curriculum at Shawnigan. Flagship sports include rugby, rowing, ice hockey and squash. Volleyball, field hockey, cross country, basketball, tennis, soccer, golf, adventure sports, and badminton are some of the other sports offered. 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
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 $75,320 for boarding students and $43,810 for day students.
What schools are Shawnigan Lake School often compared to?
Shawnigan Lake School is 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 17 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Golf, Ice Hockey, Kayaking, Rugby, Soccer, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Shawnigan Lake School's ranking?
Shawnigan Lake School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of international 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).

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 1999
5.00
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. . .
Submit Review for Shawnigan Lake School Earn $20 by submitting your alumni review!

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 8-12
  • Enrollment: 540 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,320
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $43,810
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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