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Shawnigan Lake School

Canada, Shawnigan Lake

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French
Fees CA$43,810 - 104,640
Ages 12 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 550
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1916
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages French, Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 8
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Shawnigan Lake School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school situated at 1975 Renfrew Road, Shawnigan Lake, on a 270-acre campus. Serving students aged 12 to 18, the school offers the Canadian Curriculum with Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including the AP Capstone Diploma, which combines AP Seminar and AP Research with AP courses. The program is supported by Learning Centre specialists and an Advisor-Advisee system. Core sciences are taught by the Science Department, with pathways to Provincial and AP exams, and a Junior Science Program for Grades 8 and 9. Modern Languages cover four strands—French as a Second Language, French Immersion, Spanish and Standard Chinese—with AP courses available. Mathematics runs from Grade 8 to 11, with many Grade 12 students taking Pre-calculus 12 or Calculus. Facilities include the Bruce-Lockhart Centre for Creativity, Theatre, Observatory, Recording Studio, and a Learning Centre; Sport Village, ice arena, and Arts and drama program.

www.shawnigan.ca

1975 Renfrew Road, Shawnigan Lake, BC V8H 2G7, Canada

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Shawnigan Lake School has 550 pupils, typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English, French.

Location
Shawnigan Lake School is located at 1975 Renfrew Road, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia V8H 2G7, Canada. The rural campus covers 270 acres on Vancouver Island, along Canada's Pacific coast. We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play.

Stages
Boarding & Day for ages 13-18

Type
Independent, co-educational boarding and day school

Pupil Nationality Mix
30 Countries represented

Additional learning support
Learning Centre; English Language Support; French Immersion

Country affiliation
Canada

Bus service
A Transportation department with multiple drivers and a large fleet of vehicles arranges travel for school breaks, ferries and airports, and transports students to off-campus activities.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at Shawnigan Lake School ranges from CAD 43,810 to CAD 104,640 for 2026/27.

Summary of 2026/27 fees and required payments

- Annual tuition (2026–2027):
- CAD 43,810 — Day Student.
- CAD 75,320 — B.C./Canadian Boarder.
- CAD 99,270 — U.S. Boarder.
- CAD 104,640 — International Boarder.

Application, registration and tuition deposits

- Application fee for all applicants: CAD 350.
- New Student Registration (acceptance) fee: CAD 3,750 (non‑refundable).
- Tuition deposits (applied to first year tuition):
- Returning students: CAD 5,000 (standard); CAD 1,500 if receiving financial assistance.
- New students at acceptance: Day students and B.C./Canadian boarders — CAD 5,000. U.S. boarders — CAD 60,000 (approx. 60% of tuition). International boarders — CAD 78,000 (approx. 75% of tuition). All tuition deposits are non‑refundable.

Tuition billing schedule and payment terms

- Monthly billing: Account statements and monthly billings are posted to the student billing portal (YayPay). Extras (transportation, music lessons, trips, incidentals) are billed as incurred and are due on receipt of the billing statement.
- Standard payment options for annual tuition:
- Option 1 — Full payment: due May 31. (Tuition deposit is applied to this amount.)
- Option 2 — Three installments (due May 31, Oct 31, Jan 31):
- Day Student: CAD 26,586 / CAD 8,762 / CAD 8,762.
- B.C./Canadian Boarder: CAD 45,492 / CAD 15,064 / CAD 15,064.
- The three‑installment plan is not available for CDN Expat, U.S. and International boarders. The three‑installment plan includes a CAD 300 upfront administrative fee.
- Option 3 — Financial assistance plan: families receiving financial assistance may access a 10‑month payment plan running from May 31 to February 28.
- Overdue accounts and interest: Late payments (30 days overdue) are subject to interest charges of 24% per annum (2% per month). The School may restrict participation in classes, exams, trips, release of reports/transcripts, or re‑admission for subsequent years if accounts are not kept in good standing. Final re‑admission requires account balance paid in full by July 31 of the current year.

Boarding fees and eligibility rules

- Boarding categories and annual fees are as listed under annual tuition (see top of this overview). Eligibility for the B.C./Canadian boarding fee requires Canadian residency and transcripts as specified by the School; other boarder categories are based on parents' primary residence.

Other mandatory and common additional fees

- Uniforms and school supplies: additional, purchased through the School's commissary (school store).
- Athletic fees: may apply for some sports to cover equipment, uniforms, supplies, entry fees and optional tournaments. The Hockey Program fee is CAD 7,375.
- Course‑related fees: art, woodwork, music rentals/purchases and other specialized equipment or supplies may incur additional charges.
- Learning support / ESL blocks: additional support blocks (e.g., Learning Centre, English Composition & Grammar, English Language Plus) are charged at CAD 4,250 per year when required.
- International students: mandatory extended health insurance of CAD 650 per year (Johnson Fu).
- Miscellaneous charges: costs for school trips (some meals or incidental personal costs), private tutoring, dry cleaning/alterations arranged through external providers, and repairs for damage beyond normal wear and tear may be charged to student accounts.

Refund and withdrawal policy (tuition credits for unused time)

- Tuition deposits are non‑refundable. Tuition deposits for returning students are due by April 1 to secure re‑enrolment.
- To cancel enrolment for the upcoming year, a written withdrawal (email) must be received by March 31 of the current school year.
- If a student withdraws (voluntary or requested), unused tuition will be credited on the following scale based on the date of withdrawal:
- April 1 to August 31 (preceding the upcoming school year): 60% of unused tuition credited.
- September 1 to December 31 (during the school year): 50% of unused tuition credited.
- January 1 to March 31 (during the school year): 30% of unused tuition credited.
- April 1 to June 30 (during the school year): 0% of unused tuition credited.
- Outstanding balances after adjustment for unused tuition credits must be settled within 30 days to avoid interest charges and potential legal action.

Fee payment methods and instructions

- Online banking (domestic Canadian accounts): set up Shawnigan Lake School as a payee; include the student's six‑digit Shawnigan Student ID (Account No.) on payments. No fee for Canadian online banking.
- Cheque or bank draft: payable to “Shawnigan Lake School”; include the student's Shawnigan Student ID in the memo line; may be delivered to the Finance Office or mailed to the School's accounting address in Shawnigan Lake, B.C.
- Credit card and international payments: payments may be made through Flywire (credit card and other local payment options available depending on country). Flywire provides payment tracking, local currency options, email confirmation, and claims a best‑price guarantee for exchange rates.

Discounts and special notes

- Sibling discount: 5% off tuition when one child is already registered for the same year. Families able to forgo the discount are invited to donate the equivalent 5% to the School's Annual Fund in exchange for a tax receipt (Canada and United States).

Contact for billing

- For account or billing inquiries, contact the School's Finance/Accounts Receivable office by phone or email as directed by the School's finance team (contact details available through the School).
Academics

Shawnigan Lake School teaches Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 12 to 18.

Curriculum
Shawnigan Lake School offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary program that blends traditional education with 21st‑century learning, supported by Learning Centre specialists and an Advisor‑Advisee system. AP Capstone Diploma is an advanced university preparation program that includes AP Seminar and AP Research in addition to four subject‑based AP courses. The Science Department provides grounding in biology, chemistry and physics and offers pathways to Provincial and Advanced Placement Examinations, with a Junior Science Program for Grades 8 and 9. Modern Languages provides four strands—French as a Second Language, French Immersion, Spanish and Standard Chinese—with AP courses available in all languages and an emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing. Mathematics requires study from Grade 8 through Grade 11, with many Grade 12 students taking Pre‑calculus 12 and some pursuing Calculus, while English and Social Studies offer broad curricula and experiential learning opportunities such as theatre, public speaking and Model United Nations. The Fine Arts program spans visual and performing arts with facilities including the Bruce‑Lockhart Centre for Creativity, Theatre, Observatory and Recording Studio, supporting hands‑on, project‑based learning through Grade 8 introductions to progressively advanced electives.”

Student Teacher Ratio
Low teacher‑to‑student ratio. Learning Centre specialists and the Advisor program provide focused support to students, contributing to a personalized learning environment.

Exam Results
100% University acceptance. The Science Department offers opportunities to excel in Provincial and Advanced Placement Examinations. AP Capstone Diploma provides a university preparation pathway with AP Seminar and AP Research components.

Higher Education Progression
The University Guidance Office guides Grade 8–12 students in navigating Canadian, US and international university applications, building strong relationships with universities globally. The Guidance Office assists with all aspects of university applications, including essay writing, interview preparation and university selection, and hosts information sessions and university visits. Shawnigan is an accredited SAT Testing Centre, offering testing opportunities for students and the local community. The school reports high university placement outcomes, including 2026 acceptances and published university destination data.

Gifted and Talented
Bruce‑Lockhart Fellowship for Academic Excellence brings an outstanding educator to Shawnigan for a year to focus on academic excellence. The school recognizes high achievement with Schulich Leader Scholarships and Governor General's Academic Medal recipients. Alumni awards and scholarships further reflect a tradition of supporting talented students.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
Step 1. Create an account and submit the online application. Create an online account and complete the application form; upload the final report card from the previous school year, the most recent report card, a passport, and an English proficiency test if English is not the first language. If an English test score is not submitted, Shawnigan may schedule an internal English assessment. If the Duolingo English Test is used, share the results online. Pay a 300 CAD application fee. For September 2026 entry, boarding applications are accepted for grades 8-11 and day applications for grades 8-10; day applications for September 2026 entry are closed. Step 2. Interview and Campus Visit. Interviews are conducted when the family visits the campus; an in-person interview is preferred, but Zoom interviews may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Step 3. Decision. Decisions are made after a thorough assessment of the applicant, considering academic performance and potential, extracurricular skills and accomplishments, integrity, and suitability for boarding. Requests for financial aid (Founder's Awards) are considered after acceptance. The outcome is communicated following the admissions review.

Scholarships
Dream Scholarship. The Shawnigan Dream Scholarship is merit-based and offers two finalists. The first finalist receives full tuition and boarding; the second finalist receives 50% of tuition and boarding. The scholarship lasts for the duration of the Shawnigan Journey and is renewed annually based on ongoing effort and achievement. Stage 1 involves an online video submission and a scholarship application due January 5, 2026, with a request to submit report cards; Stage 2 names Semi-Finalists and includes interviews on February 2, 2026, plus submission of a formal Shawnigan application; Stage 3 names Finalists and includes a campus visit on or around March 2, 2026. The video submission prompt is a 2-3 minute description of the candidate's dream day at Shawnigan. Dream Scholars are announced in early spring 2026. Dream Scholarship values cover tuition and fees only; extra costs are the family's responsibility unless financial aid is provided. The Dream Scholar funding is renewable and contingent on ongoing effort and achievement, with the expectation that Dream Scholars stay for the duration of their Shawnigan Journey. Entrance Awards. Shawnigan Lake School offers a limited number of merit-based Entrance Awards for NEW students joining in fall 2026; both boarding and day students are eligible. After acceptance, applicants may apply for an Entrance Award, which will be reviewed by the Executive Director of Admissions and the Admissions Team. If awarded, the Entrance Award is applied as a credit to the student's account. 2026-27 Entrance Award Applications are closed; successful applicants are notified by July 15, 2026. Eligibility requires a minimum overall average of 80% in academic classes, outstanding performance in at least one co-curricular area, aptitude or interest in other co-curricular areas, and alignment with Shawnigan values. Applicants may qualify for more than one category but can receive only one award. Award categories include All-Round Merit Award; Pacific West Coast Leadership Award; Residents of Alberta Leadership Award; Global Leadership Award; Indigenous People of Canada Award; and Legacy Student Award. Entrance Awards are for first-year entry only; current students are not eligible; sports awards are not offered. Award amounts typically range from CAD 500 to CAD 6,000 and are applied as a credit to the student account.
School Events
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