The regions St. George's School offers busing from are:
Additional notes: Airport pick-up available to boarding students.
The 50-page review of St. George's School is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
Read our in-depth review"Founded in 1930, St. George's School is a world-class boys school in Vancouver offering a Day Program for students in Grades KG–12 and a Boarding Program for students in Grades 8–12. With a strong emphasis in character development, the school is known for its breadth and depth of curriculum, with over 50 academic electives (25 APs), 40 athletic options, and 50 clubs. A dedicated guidance department ensures that each year, 100% of the graduates are accepted to universities around the world."
St. George’s School knows boys. For nearly 100 years, we have focused our efforts on building the best learning environment for boys to excel both academically and socially. This focus is evident in our teaching and learning approaches that recognize the different ways that boys learn, with emphasis on role models, active movement, and character development.
In addition, our reputation and history connects our students to a network of mentors and alumni throughout the city and the world that ensures a strong foundation of brotherhood and belonging.
Finally, thanks to our considerable resources in course options, athletic, and co-curricular experience, we provide an education that is uniquely tailored to each student and a commitment to future-readiness as a modern boys’ school.
At St. George’s School, we prioritize collective experiences. We foster a community enriched through shared adventures and discoveries. All students contribute to Arts Week, grade-wide Outdoor Education Trips, and are committed to co-curriculars extending beyond the traditional school day. Personalization requests, like missing parts of the school day, school calendar, or seeking exemptions from community-based activities aren't supported. Even our flagship Varsity sports operate for two out of three terms. This allows athletes time during the ‘off-season’ for self-discovery in new areas. Families enrolling at St. George’s School share a deep belief in the transformative power of collective experiences for boys.
The identity of St. George’s School has evolved through several key moments. All of them, however, are rooted in the school’s founding vision in 1930, and the core mission of character-based, all-boys education in the heart of Vancouver. In 1979, the Junior School campus, with its heritage architecture, was added. The school has provided boarding for Gr.8-12 since inception, and this expands the school's global reach and builds diverse perspectives and enriches student life. More recently, the development of a bold 10-year strategic plan and the construction of new state-of-the-art Senior School buildings represent a renewed commitment to innovation, accessibility, and future-readiness, which ensures the school evolves while remaining connected to its founding values.
Students who thrive at St.George’s School are those who embody our Core Values: Empathy, Humility, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience.
Boys who are a good match for the school are those who are collaborative and able to work effectively in teams. Creativity is highly valued, so students who are original thinkers and can adapt to various situations thrive in our environment. Additionally, we look for inquisitive minds — students who are curious and eager to explore knowledge deeply and critically. A sense of courage is also essential; we want students who are ready to take on challenges and approach obstacles with resilience and determination.
All things considered, a good fit for our school is a boy who is ready to make a positive impact and possesses the qualities of collaboration, creativity, curiosity, and courage.
One of the many strengths of St. George’s School lies in our breadth of program and the vast array of opportunities that we offer our students. For this reason, a family who is considering our school for a singular or very specific reason may not find what they are looking for. A student who is highly specialized in a sport or program that we do not offer may struggle to connect. We have high expectations of our students to try their best not only in their academics, but also in the larger School community. A successful student at St. George’s School is open to experiencing all that we have to offer, and who is willing to take risks, try new things, and explore. Students who participate and engage in our programming will also find a sense of belonging here quickly. Families who have expectations around routinely pulling their son away from the school day for commitments outside of St. George’s School may find that challenging.
Families choose St. George’s School because of the school’s holistic commitment to excellence, which includes the academic, personal, and social domains. Parents are drawn to the individualized attention each boy receives, the strength of the school's character education, and the breadth of co-curricular options. The school’s long-standing reputation, global alumni network, and modern yet grounded approach to boys’ education further make it a compelling choice. Many families mention the strong sense of community, high levels of care from staff, and the school’s efforts to make boys feel seen, known, and valued. For boarding families, the urban location within Vancouver, alongside the warmth of the residential program, is a particular draw.
When people think of St. George’s School, they often think of boys in uniform. They might picture our castle school, and they are likely aware of the high standards we hold for all that we do, from admissions to academics.
As the only non-denominational all-boys independent school in Vancouver, in operation for nearly 100 years, the school has a reputation of tradition and prestige. It is known for its location on the westside of the city, near the picturesque forest of Pacific Spirit Park, and down the street from UBC. With this history and place in the city, we know that it also comes with some stereotypes: that the School is exclusive and impossible to get into. The reality is that St. George’s is striving to be a destination for students from all corners of Vancouver, with extensive Financial Assistance, and an admission process that is welcoming and inclusive. We hope for the next 100 years, Saints will continue to be known as the best destination for boys in Vancouver.
One underappreciated aspect of St. George’s School is the depth of its mentorship model. Going beyond formal advising and counselling, every student is deeply known by multiple educators across teaching, coaching, and co-curricular contexts. This level of relational care, combined with a culture that encourages openness, creates an environment where boys feel safe to be themselves, take risks, and thrive. While the school is often recognized for its academic and athletic excellence, it is this web of intentional relationships that most deeply supports boys through their formative years.
Families are often surprised by how warm, expressive, and emotionally mature the students are. In a single day, you might see boys in uniform playing rugby and then enthusiastically working on pottery or performing in a jazz band. The absence of gendered expectations allows boys to explore interests more freely and form deeper friendships. Another surprise is how tradition coexists with innovation: from Remembrance Day ceremonies in a historic chapel to hands-on projects in cutting-edge learning spaces. And despite the school’s reputation, many families are surprised by how welcoming and down-to-earth the community feels.
Recognizing the challenges that adolescents, are facing in a rapidly changing and complex society, St. George’s School is re-doubling its efforts to focus on values and character development — values such as resiliency and responsibility are more important now than ever before.
Ensuring that students have a wide range of activities to express themselves and build their identity has been a focus for the school for the past several years. Whether this has been through increasing the number of sports activities or the range of clubs, the school is determined to have the largest Co-Curricular program in the city.
Finally, the accessibility of the school continues to be a focus for the school, an example of this is the school’s commitment to providing expanded financial support. Now all entry grades, with the exception of Kindergarten, are eligible to apply for financial assistance.
It is an exciting time at St. George’s School. In the coming years, we are excited to continue evolving and enhancing our educational experience guided by our Mission of “Building Fine Young Men, One Boy At A Time”, and the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan.
We’re extending learning beyond our campus through bold partnerships in our city and beyond. These collaborations will offer students unique, hands-on learning experiences that connect them with the broader community and global issues.
Our focus on stewardship means we’ll foster a diverse and inclusive community, helping students appreciate different perspectives. We aim to lead in boys' education by promoting sustainability, innovation, belonging, and future-readiness.
Finally, our new state-of-the-art senior school buildings opening in 2024 will reflect our commitment to excellence. These modern spaces will provide an inspiring learning environment.
Hear directly from St. George's School community as they share insights.
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