St. John's-Kilmarnock School

Established in 1972, SJK is the leading JK-Grade 12 independent school in Waterloo region and is the only IB World Continuum School in the region. At SJK, students are connected to their learning, each other and their community. Our students find excellence within themselves in a learning environment that is fuelled by natural curiosity in classrooms where amazing things happen every day. Inspired, outward- and forward-looking teachers guide students on their personalized learning journey to ensure the development of well-rounded and confident students. This student-centred approach informs teaching and learning and enables students to identify and cultivate their strengths. We believe an integrated approach and a love of learning are the best ways to meet the needs and expectations of our students.

What makes SJK unique and exceptional? Essentially, ‘The SJK Experience’ is connected to three broad themes: Community, Campus and Continuum. These three themes explore ideas such as school culture, community relations, personalized opportunities for students, experiential learning, the significance of our natural campus and its integrated use in curricular and co-curricular programming, values-based education and a global perspective that informs teaching and learning at SJK.

Authentic relationships are at the heart of the SJK community. At SJK, people are known and valued in a community where all members have a voice. Students, teachers and staff, parents, alumni and our community partners all contribute to the vibrant and diverse learning environment at the School. Fundamentally, we believe in the power of developmental relationships and that students learn best when engaged in purposeful, healthy relationships between teachers and young people. Our programming is designed to foster authentic relationships in formal ways, such as through our Advisor Program and informally, for example, as a natural outcome of our community sharing a technology-free lunch in our Dining Hall. We invite you to come for a visit to learn more.

Our Mission is the SJK community is committed to nurturing well-rounded, confident citizens in a safe and enriching setting that supports students in their pursuit of academic success, personal growth and social responsibility. Our Vision is to engage students in an unparalleled educational journey as innovative learners in knowledge, creativity and global action. High standards of conduct, academic achievement and teaching. Respect for ourselves, each other, our environment, our history and traditions.

St. John’s School for Boys (a predecessor to St. John’s-Kilmarnock School) was founded in Elora. The school would offer a structured and supportive approach to learning. Discussions commenced concerning the best way to provide a similar educational opportunity for girls. St. Margaret's School was the result. St. Margaret's celebrated its first Founders' Day Service in May of 1976. As St. John’s sister school, St. Margaret’s was incorporated into some of the School’s activities. The School's name was changed to St. John's-Kilmarnock School, reflecting both the school's history and the founding Headmaster's pride in his Scottish ancestry.

In 1985, St. John's and St. Margaret's amalgamated but continued to offer separate boys' and girls' programs on separate campuses until 1989. The campuses of SJK were united on the current campus. The current campus includes the original school, and the addition of the MYP building, Music Room and PYP classrooms. The School was awarded its Coat of Arms.

SJK has a long history of academic excellence, with an unwavering commitment to student engagement. We know that an integrated approach and a love of learning are the best ways to meet the needs and expectations of our students. Our programming is designed to challenge students to push their boundaries by trying something new. We encourage risk-taking and are confident enough to trust the learning that follows thoughtful failure. Importantly, our students know it is safe to try here.

Your child’s educational journey at SJK begins with the IB Primary Years Programme, a hands-on, inquiry-based program for students in Grades JK – 6. Concepts and knowledge acquired during these formative years take root in the IB Middle Years Programme for students in Grades 7 – 10. Students are challenged to expand their knowledge and encouraged to pursue their passions through individualized learning paths. The IB Diploma Programme for students in Grades 11 and 12 is a rigorous academic program designed to prepare our graduates for post-secondary success.

The teachers in the School have infused their teaching with innovation, both pedagogical and technological. As one of only a few Continuum International Baccalaureate schools in Canada - and only a few hundred in the world - the teachers are central to making the IB curriculum come alive. They have overlaid the IB curriculum with an ethic of care, of constant reflection and improvement, of collaboration, and of constant communication with families. Their work is difficult, and still they do it with joy for their students and determination in their work. As a whole, they embody the IB Learner Profile, and so that is what the students learn every day in the actions of their teachers.

At SJK, the IB Primary Years Programme resides in our Lower School, for students in Junior Kindergarten – Grade 6. Our classrooms are places where amazing things happen every day. On any given day, you will find happy, curious, engaged students who love to participate in their learning actively.

The learning, fuelled by natural curiosity, is hands-on and programming is personalized to the student’s educational journey. The breadth of experience is achieved, in part, through the connected IB curriculum. Co-curricular programming, outdoor experiential learning, second language learning, community lunch and engaging with the arts all adds to the student experience.

The MYP is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The learning is hands-on, student-driven and personalized to the student’s educational journey. The breadth of experience is achieved, in part, through the connected IB curriculum. But that is only part of the story. Co-curricular programming, experiences beyond the classroom, leadership opportunities, community engagement and engaging with the arts all adds to the student experience.

The wide range of courses offered at SJK, allows each student to build a personalized program that is best suited to their interests, strengths and goals. With its academic breadth, depth and rigour, our students develop skills of research, time management, problem-solving, communication and collaboration, which prepare them for the world beyond SJK as confident, independent, globally-minded learners.