St. Michaels University School (abbreviated SMUS) is an independent day and boarding school in the municipality of Saanich, the largest and most populous municipality in the Capital Regional District and on Vancouver Island. Previous headmasters include Robert Snowden (1995-2017), David Penaluna (1988–94) and John Schaffter (1977–88).

Location

SMUS is located in

Victoria, British Columbia Victoria is the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of 91,867, and the Greater Victoria area has a population of 397,237. The ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

, on the southern tip of

Vancouver Island Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are of land. The island is the largest by ...

. The Senior and Middle School campus is located on Richmond Road in Saanich. The Junior School campus is situated on Victoria Avenue in

Oak Bay Oak Bay is a municipality incorporated in 1906 that is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is one of thirteen member municipalities of the Capital Regional District, and is bordered ...

History

In 1906, University School was founded by Capt. R. V. Harvey, the Rev. W. W. Bolton and J. C. Barnacle. Four years later, in 1910, K. C. Symons founded St. Michael's School. St. Michael's School was unusual for its relatively large number of local day students for the period (as contrasted with University School's large number of boarders). Facing financial difficulties and the death of its headmaster in 1970, University School merged with St. Michael's in 1971 to become St. Michaels University School. In 1973, the school began to enrol grade 1 and 2 students for the first time. In 1978, girls were accepted as day and boarding students in grades 10–12 for the first time, and the school began the process of becoming fully coeducational in 1985. A major expansion of the campus also began in 1985. In 1993, SMUS's boarding houses were renamed after the school's six founders: Bolton, Harvey, Winslow, Timmis, Symons, and Barnacle.

Boarding houses

There are currently six

houses A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condi ...

: The houses are named after the headmasters and founders of the school. * Barnacle * Bolton * Harvey * Timmis * Symons * Winslow The Senior School houses are only for boarding students who become a member of one of the houses when starting at SMUS and it becomes their place of residence and community throughout their time at the school.

School performance

The average number of APs taken by SMUS students ranks first in the country across all schools as of 2012. The record for most APs taken and completed by a single student is 15. In terms of average mean grades, SMUS students achieved an average of 3.68, which was higher than the global average of 2.92. Of the 650 exams across 25 different AP subjects taken by 245 SMUS students, 81% of them received grades of three or higher on the five point scale, which was also higher than the worldwide rate of 59% achieving grades of three or higher.

Motto

The motto of University School was "

Mens sana in corpore sano ''Mens sana in corpore sano'' () is a Latin phrase, usually translated as "a healthy mind in a healthy body". The phrase is widely used in sporting and educational contexts to express that physical exercise is an important or essential part of men ...

," which means, "A healthy mind in a healthy body." St. Michael's School had the motto "Nihil Magnum Nisi Bonum," or, "Nothing is great unless it is good." The current motto of St. Michaels University School is "Vivat!", or "Long live the school!" This ties into the school's song, "Vivat - Universitas!", written by Capt. R. V. Harvey originally for University School. The school uses "Vivat!" when cheering on a team.

Campus

Richmond Road Campus: * School House: Administration, Library, Mathematics * Brown Hall: Multi-purpose space * Sun Centre: Dining Hall, Student Commons, The Howard Cafe * Chapel * Crothall Centre for Humanities and the Arts: Classrooms, Lecture Theatre, Drama Room, Art Room, * William Monkman Athletic Complex: Gymnasium, Squash Courts, Fitness Center * John and Anne Schaffter Hall for Music * Science Building: Science Classrooms and Computer Labs * Infirmary * Residence Buildings: Harvey/Symons, Barnacle/Winslow, Bolton/Timmis * Wenman Pavilion: Senior Lounge * Reynolds House: Head of School's Residence * Middle School

Accreditation and memberships

St. Michaels University School is accredited or a member of the following organizations: *

National Association of Independent Schools The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1962, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boa ...

(NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools
(TABS) *

Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) is a national organization for independent schools in Canada. The current Executive Director is Patti MacDonald. History Canadian Association of Independent Schools The Canadian Association of Independ ...

(CAIS)
Independent Schools Association of British Columbia
(ISABC) * Headmasters' & Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) * Secondary Schools Admissions Test (SSAT) *

Council for Advancement and Support of Education The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is a nonprofit association of educational institutions. It serves professionals in the field of educational advancement. This field encompasses alumni relations, communications, marketin ...

(CASE) * Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
Western Boarding Schools Association
(WBSA)
The National Society of High School Scholars
(NSHSS)

Notable alumni

Entertainment: * Timothy Williams (1983) – Composer and Orchestrator * Manoj Sood (1981) – Actor *

Leslie Hope Leslie Ann Hope is a Canadian actress and director, best known for her role as Teri Bauer on the Fox television series '' 24'' and prosecutor Anita Gibbs on ''Suits''. Personal life Hope was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Ann and Frank Ho ...

(1982) – Actress *

Andrew Sabiston Andrew Sabiston is a multi-award nominated Canadian children's television series Children's television series (or children's television shows) are television programs designed for children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning a ...

(1982) – Actor *

Max Martini Maximilian Carlo Martini (born December 11, 1969) is an American actor, writer, and director known for his roles as Corporal Fred Henderson in '' Saving Private Ryan'', Wiley in '' Level 9'', First Sergeant Sid Wojo in '' The Great Raid'', and a ...

(1982) - Actor *

Kenneth Oppel Kenneth Oppel (born August 31, 1967) is a Canadian children's writer. Biography Oppel was born in Port Alberni, and spent his childhood in Victoria, British Columbia and Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also lived in Newfoundland and Labrador, England, ...

(1985) – Author *

Bert Archer Bert Archer is a Canadian author, journalist, travel writer, essayist and critic. Archer was born in Montreal and lived in Calgary and Vancouver. He attended St. Michael's University School in Victoria, British Columbia, and then went to the Uni ...

(1986) – Journalist/Author *

Afshin Feiz Afshin Feiz is an Iranian born, British photographer and ex fashion designer based in London. His collections have been featured at the Olympus Fashion Week and have appeared at London Fashion Week at least three times.Bryce Soderberg Bryce Dane Soderberg (born April 10, 1980) is a Canadian-American musician and songwriter, best known as the bassist and vocalist for American rock band Lifehouse. Early life Soderberg was born in Victoria, British Columbia, and raised outside ...

(1998) – Musician-

Lifehouse (band) Lifehouse is an American rock band from Los Angeles comprising Jason Wade (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano), Rick Woolstenhulme Jr. (drums, percussion), Bryce Soderberg (bass, vocals), and Steve Stout (lead guitar). The band came to mainst ...

The Racoons Racoons are an indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia. History Racoons were formed in 2008 by founding members Matthew Lyall and Murray Mckenzie. The duo were then joined by Jeff Mitchelmore and James Alexander Bodman, former members o ...

(Jeff Mitchelmore 2004, Matthew Lyall 2002) – Musicians Politics: *

Jason Kenney Jason Thomas Kenney (born May 30, 1968) is a Canadian former politician who served as the 18th premier of Alberta from 2019 until 2022 and the leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP) from 2017 until 2022. He also served as the member of ...

–

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

cabinet minister under Stephen Harper (Immigration and National Defence) and current

Premier of Alberta The premier of Alberta is the first minister for the Canadian province of Alberta, and the province's head of government. The current premier is Danielle Smith, leader of the United Conservative Party, who was sworn in on October 11, 2022. The ...

, 1982 to 1984 * David Anderson – Former

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

cabinet minister and former leader of the

BC Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party, often shortened to the BC Liberals, is a centre-right provincial political party in British Columbia, Canada. The party currently forms the Official Opposition. Subsequent to the 2020 British Columbia general ...

Jodie Emery Jodie Emery (born January 4, 1985) is a Canadian cannabis rights Legality of cannabis, activist and politician. She is the spouse of fellow activist Marc Emery. Until the business was shut down by police, the couple were co-owners of Cannabis Cu ...

– marijuana activist and politician * Anthony C. E. Quainton – Former

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

ambassador to

Nicaragua Nicaragua (; ), officially the Republic of Nicaragua (), is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Managua is the countr ...

Sports: * Steve Nash (1992) – Retired NBA player with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers (Two-time

NBA MVP The National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given since the 1955–56 season to the best performing player of the regular season. Starting with the 2022–23 ...

) * Ryan O'Byrne – NHL player with

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

* Matt Pettinger – Former NHL player with

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, a ...

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...

and

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play th ...

Mike Pyke Michael Anthony Patrick Pyke (born 24 March 1984) is a Canadian retired dual-code football player, who was a professional Australian rules footballer with the Sydney Swans. Pyke is the first Canadian national and the first former rugby union ...

– Former professional rugby union player with Edinburgh (Celtic League) and Montauban (French Top 14), currently professional Australian Rules Football Player with the Sydney Swans * Gareth Rees – Former captain of the Canadian national rugby union team Military: * John Mogg -

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...

- DSACEUR Technology: * Ann Makosinski inventor Business: *

Stewart Butterfield Daniel Stewart Butterfield (born Dharma Jeremy Butterfield; March 21, 1973) is a Canadian billionaire businessman, best known for co-founding the photo-sharing website Flickr and the team-messaging application Slack. Early life and education In ...

(1991) – co-founder of

Flickr Flickr ( ; ) is an American image hosting and video hosting service, as well as an online community, founded in Canada and headquartered in the United States. It was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and was a popular way for amateur and profession ...

and CEO at Slack * Rajiv Khaneja (2001) – founder of Sparklit * Sam Malin — founder of Madagascar Oil

References

External links

*
St. Michael's University School
Profile By TopPrivateSchools.ca {{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Michaels University School Private schools in British Columbia High schools in Victoria, British Columbia Elementary schools in Victoria, British Columbia Preparatory schools in British Columbia Boarding schools in British Columbia Saanich, British Columbia Educational institutions established in 1906 1906 establishments in British Columbia