St. Margaret’s School
Canada
Founded in 1908, SMS is an international center for girls’ learning and leadership development, serving students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
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About St. Margaret’s School
St. Margaret’s School operates with a vision of “Confident girls. Inspiring women.” The school is renowned for its inquiry-based philosophy, which encourages students to think deeply, creatively, and rationally. Located just minutes from downtown Victoria, the 22-acre campus serves as a natural laboratory for experiential learning, allowing students to engage with the environment through forest walks, gardening in the school greenhouse, and sustainability research.
SMS is a non-religious, inclusive community that explicitly welcomes students of all faiths and identities. The boarding program, housed in four modern residences (Barton, Fenwick, French, and Pearce), offers a “second home” to local and international girls in Grades 7–12. Each residence is designed to foster independence and lifelong friendships, supported by live-in house parents. With superior facilities including LEED-certified buildings, state-of-the-art athletics centers, and a specialized environmental classroom, SMS provides a holistic education that balances wellness with academic rigor.
Top Regional Ranking
Consistently ranked among the top independent schools in Victoria with an 8.6/10 rating in recent educational report cards.
STEM Excellence
Recognized as the first all-girls STEM school in Canada, fostering high participation in robotics, coding, and advanced sciences.
Global Leadership
Graduates often move into leadership roles in business, arts, science, and politics, supported by a strong global alumni network.
Why Choose St. Margaret’s School
Canada’s first all-girls STEM school and a leading independent day and boarding school.
Canada's Premier All-Girls STEM Education
SMS is a pioneer in STEM learning, weaving an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary philosophy into all academic activities. Additionally, the school provides a environment where girls feel comfortable taking risks in traditionally male-dominated fields. Consequently, graduates are disproportionately represented in engineering and medical faculties. Thus, SMS builds the foundational confidence needed for high-tech careers.
Rigorous International Baccalaureate Pathway
SMS offers the globally recognized IB Diploma Programme. Specifically, this curriculum challenges students to think critically and develop a global perspective. Because the IB is highly regarded by top-tier universities, students are exceptionally well-prepared for university-level research. Therefore, their transition to post-secondary education is highly successful.
Commitment to Sustainability and Nature
The school’s 22-acre natural campus provides the perfect setting for environmental education. Specifically, the "Learning by Nature" initiatives allow students to study the environment in any weather through an outdoor-focused curriculum. Therefore, students develop a deep sense of social and ecological responsibility. Consequently, they graduate as environmentally conscious global citizens.
Unmatched Career and University Guidance
the school provides personalized guidance to help students build strong college application profiles. Specifically, dedicated counselors support students through every step of the university selection and application process. Thus, every student finds a pathway that aligns with her unique passions and goals. Therefore, SMS graduates consistently attend their first-choice institutions.
Diverse and Empowering Global Community
Students from over 26 countries, the SMS experience is inherently multicultural. Specifically, the school celebrates diversity through various cultural initiatives and inclusive community practices. Consequently, students learn to respect an expanse of perspectives and take action using empathy. Thus, they become well-rounded leaders ready to make a positive impact on the world.
Holistic Boarding and Wellness Support
The boarding program at SMS provides a nurturing "home away from home" with 24/7 support. Specifically, the program focuses on holistic development, including mindfulness and stress management workshops. Indeed, this ensures that students are not only academically successful but also emotionally resilient. Hence, boarding students develop a profound sense of independence and belonging.
Discover St. Margaret’s School
Campus
Diverse and Engaging Campus Environments Designed to Foster Exceptional Learning and Personal Growth.
Campus Tour St. Margaret’s School
Explore the Study Options
St. Margaret’s School specializes in preparing students for university-level studies through a variety of programs and courses.
Junior Years (JK–Grade 6)
Middle Years (Grades 7–9)
Senior Years (Grades 10–12)
ELL Program
Explore the Subject Areas
Choose Your Interest
STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
Environmental & Earth Sciences
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Fine Arts & Media Arts
Physical & Health Education
English & Modern Languages
And More!
Frequently
Asked Questions
Research shows that in all-girls environments, students are more likely to participate in STEM and leadership roles, free from gender stereotypes often found in coed settings.
Boarding is available for students starting in Grade 7 through to Grade 12, with both full-time and 5-day (weekday) options.
No, SMS is a non-denominational school that celebrates a wide diversity of faiths, cultures, and identities.
Graduates typically move on to top-tier universities in Canada (UBC, UofT, McGill), the USA (Ivy League and Stanford), and international institutions across Europe and Asia.