St. John's School

Established over 30 years ago, we are a co-educational, non-denominational, independent, urban, IB World Continuum School educating 570 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. 100% of our graduates go to a university of their choice. We have embraced the IB philosophy while maintaining and strengthening our core values and commitment to nurturing the minds and hearts of our students. We get to know and care for our students and community members as individuals.

At SJS, our mission is to inspire academic excellence in our students and create confident learners who will pursue their goals with passion, integrity and respect for others within the global community. We believe in a well-rounded education that encourages personal growth and the development of a strong moral compass. The foundation of the IB programme is character development. The academic, service and co-curricular programme at St. John’s School, as well as our culture and educators, all contribute to the goal of fostering good people and instilling core values. From academics to athletics, arts to technology, our students are learning the skills that will help prepare them for a life of purpose.

As an important part of this process, through a variety of methods, we are seeking the input of stakeholder communities about your experiences with St. John's School and your expectations for the future. We are pleased to be working with Berlineaton, a management consulting firm with extensive experience with independent schools in Canada.

We invite all members of our community to provide your input through the online form on this page. Your feedback, along with the results of the Parent Satisfaction Survey conducted earlier in 2019, will inform this important process. We have engagement events planned for early in the new school year to further collaborate and consult with you as we develop our new Strategic Plan – watch this space for more details.

We are a known as a tight-knit, strong community of teachers, students, staff and parents who work together to ensure everyone is healthy, accepting and safe. A St. John’s School education is shaped by individual attention, small class sizes and a culture of collaboration, caring and respect.

At the very heart of St. John’s is our belief that values matter. Whether our students are on the playground, in the classroom, playing basketball or participating in a debating tournament, our students and staff know that character, diligence, loyalty and service are the very foundation of our school.

These four pillars guide us every day to be a strong and healthy school community where all students feel safe, comfortable, known and accepted.The rigour of the IB curriculum means our students and staff are challenged every day. They are challenged to learn about themselves and the world around them. Every member of our community explores the talents, skills and interests they have that can make an difference in the world.

Just like real life – St. John’s is co-educational. In the classroom, in the gym and in co-curricular activities, boys and girls use their individual and combined strengths to work and play together.St. John's is urban. We are close to parks, community centres, restaurants and more. Our students have classes at the park, display their art at the local coffee shop, distribute hot chocolate to our neighbours and older students frequent the restaurants nearby. Students steadily gain independence and worldliness throughout their time here.

There’s no doubt about it, St. John’s School is a lively and busy place where students enjoy themselves with their classmates, students from other grades and with their teachers. Our diverse array of events, from talent shows to community BBQs, bring people together in supportive and happy environments. We are connected with each other, our local community and our global world. Students know students in other classrooms, other grades and other schools. Students volunteer with a range of community organizations on a regular basis. Students travel abroad every year on leadership and service trips, connecting with students from other cultures. Students Skype with children from other IB schools around the world.

Our students are dancers, artists, public speakers, chess players, basketball stars, designers and so much more. Some come to St. John’s with these interests, while others develop their interests and talents through our diverse courses, clubs and athletic options. Some are passionate about the environment, others about global issues. Some are keen on stock market competitions. Whatever their passion, they can explore it at St. John’s.

The IB curriculum provides students with unique opportunities to explore their individual passions while learning. Grade 5 Student Exhibitions, Grade 10 Personal Projects and Grade 12 Extended Essays are all student-led explorations on a subject of personal interest where students research the topic, present their findings and showcase their knowledge and passion of their subject through displays and presentations. The topics are varied, complex, personal and interesting. Through the process, students build skills and confidence.

In order for graduates to succeed in our ever-growing complex and connected world, students must develop strong communication skills, learn to effectively work in groups and be able to embrace change and difference. That’s exactly why we embraced the globally recognized IB curriculum as the best vehicle to prepare students for school, university and life. Our graduates speak two or more languages, have already written a 4,000 word research essay, work in teams frequently, have successfully taken a variety of exams and are knowledgeable about the world around them. Graduates tells us they feel well prepared for the bright future ahead of them.

100% of our graduates are accepted into a university of their choice. We are proud of that fact, but what we are most proud of is how successful and happy our students are in their lives after school. Not only do they graduate from university, they remain active volunteers and life-long learners.