St. Margaret's School Mission — Empowering her to set her own course & shape her own dreams helps guide our admissions process. The application and interview process helps our admissions team learn as much as possible about every prospective student. Admissions decisions are based on a comprehensive look at the whole student: academic performance, integrity, extra-curricular endeavours, suitability and readiness for the boarding experience.
SMS admits students for the upcoming September on a continuous basis. Applications are accepted year-round, but we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible as space in each grade as well as our boarding facilities is limited.
Step 1 – Explore our School: Come for a tour and spend a day as an SMS student. Can't make it to an in-person tour? Check out our website and look for videos and photos to provide you with a glimpse to what life on campus looks like.
Step 2 – Apply Online: www.stmarg.ca
Step 3 – Documentation:
- Academic reference – completed by a previous or current academic advisor (teacher, principal, counsellor, etc.).
- Character reference - completed by an adult who is not a relative or a family friend.
- Copy of last year’s final report card.
- Copy of the most recent report card.
- Photocopy of applicant’s birth certificate, passport, or landed immigrant status.
- Recent photo of the applicant.
- English Language Testing (for those students whose first language is not English)
- SSAT (optional)
Step 4 – Assessment
The placement assessment is used to determine a student’s strengths, weaknesses and readiness to begin classes at SMS. We understand that this can be an intimidating process for students and their parents and do all we can to make the process comfortable and informal.
ECE (3 year olds & JK): students will spend time with the teacher while parents meet with the Junior School Principal.
JK – Grade 6: students will spend time with the teacher to get to know the other students, the teacher and the School.
Grades 7 – 12: students will participate in an interview with our Director of Admissions and write a placement evaluation. This typically takes place at our school, but alternate arrangements can be made for students living outside of Victoria. English Language Learning (ELL) Program: ELL students are required to attend a two-week orientation at the end of August, where they will participate in English language proficiency testing as well as morning classes, which allow teachers to meet and evaluate each student.
Applicants from China: Vericant will conduct interviews with our applicants in mainland China, recording the interview on video as well as collecting short writing samples. Schedule a Vericant interview.
Step 5 – Financial Assistance and Scholarships:
SMS is proud to provide a number of awards and scholarships to honour achievement by our current students and for new students as well. While excellence in academics is certainly recognized, these awards also celebrate other highly prized attributes in alignment with our school values: leadership, community involvement, and service.
Please visit the school website (www.stmarg.ca) for more details around our entrance scholarships and financial aid process.
Step 6 – Admission Decision
Our Admissions Office will inform you of the School’s decision within three weeks of completing the admissions process.
Step 1 – Explore our School: Come for a tour and spend a day as an SMS student. Can't make it to an in-person tour? Check out our website and look for videos and photos to provide you with a glimpse into what life on campus looks like.
Step 2 – Apply Online: www.stmarg.ca
Step 3 – Documentation:
- Academic reference – completed by a previous or current academic advisor (teacher, principal, counsellor, etc.).
- Character reference - completed by an adult who is not a relative or a family friend.
- Copy of last year’s final report card.
- Copy of the most recent report card.
- Photocopy of applicant’s birth certificate, passport, or landed immigrant status.
- Recent photo of the applicant.
- English Language Testing (for those students whose first language is not English)
- SSAT (optional)
Step 4 – Assessment
The placement assessment is used to determine a student’s strengths, weaknesses and readiness to begin classes at SMS. We understand that this can be an intimidating process for students and their parents and do all we can to make the process comfortable and informal.
Grades 7 – 12: students will participate in an interview with our Director of Admissions and write a placement evaluation. This typically takes place at our school, but alternate arrangements can be made for students living outside of Victoria. English Language Learning (ELL) Program: ELL students are required to attend a two-week orientation at the end of August, where they will participate in English language proficiency testing as well as morning classes, which allow teachers to meet and evaluate each student.
Applicants from China: Vericant will conduct interviews with our applicants in mainland China, recording the interview on video as well as collecting short writing samples. Schedule a Vericant interview.
Step 5 – Financial Assistance and Scholarships:
SMS is proud to provide a number of awards and scholarships to honour achievement by our current students and for new students as well. While excellence in academics is certainly recognized, these awards also celebrate other highly prized attributes in alignment with our school values: leadership, community involvement, and service.
Please visit the school website (www.stmarg.ca) for more details around our entrance scholarships and financial aid process.
Step 6 – Admission Decision
Our Admissions Office will inform you of the School’s decision within three weeks of completing the admissions process.