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Strengths Academic Enrichment, Performing Arts, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction
St. John's-Kilmarnock School is an independent, co-educational, not-for-profit IB Continuum school on a 40-acre campus in Breslau, Ontario, within the Waterloo Region. Founded in 1972, SJK is one of only a few IB Continuum schools in Canada, offering the Primary Years Programme (JK-Grade 6), Middle Years Programme (Grades 7-10), and Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12). The school has an average class size of 17 and achieves a 100% post-secondary admission rate. A boarding programme for Grades 9-12 operates in partnership with St. Jerome's University on the University of Waterloo campus. The campus features Newton House with a Learning Commons and Dining Hall, a Chapel, Athletics Centre with a double gymnasium, the Boathouse, an Art, Design and Media Centre, and an OmniCourt. SJK holds accreditation from CAIS, CIS Ontario, and the IBO.
2201 Shantz Station Rd, Breslau, ON N0B 1M0, Canada
Gallery
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Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials
St. John's-Kilmarnock School has 545 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English.
Location
SJK is located on a 40-acre natural campus at 2201 Shantz Station Road in Breslau, Ontario, minutes from the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and Guelph. The school is approximately one hour from Toronto Pearson International Airport. A daily express bus service transports boarding students between the residence in Waterloo and the Breslau campus.
Stages
The school is divided into a Lower School (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6) following the IB Primary Years Programme and an Upper School (Grades 7-12) covering the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. The Diploma Programme also offers Focused Disciplinary Pathways in Creative Industries, Human Performance and Health Entrepreneurship, and STEM Explorations and Innovations.
Type
SJK is an independent, co-educational, not-for-profit day and boarding school. Boarding is available for Grades 9 to 12, accommodating approximately 50 students in partnership with St. Jerome's University on the University of Waterloo campus.
Additional learning support
The Learning Services Team includes four specialist learning support teachers across the Lower and Upper School, including a Literacy Specialist and a Math Specialist. The team develops personalised learning strategies, Learning Support Plans, accommodations, assistive technology, and progress-monitored interventions. All students may access learning support services through teacher, parent, or self-referral.
Country affiliation
The school is a Canadian independent school, accredited by the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and a member of CIS Ontario.
Religious affiliation
The school has a Chapel of St. Margaret & St. John on campus and a School Chaplain (Rev. Judy Steers). While the school has historical Anglican roots from its founding schools, it operates as an inclusive, non-denominational institution.
Bus service
A daily express bus service operates between the boarding residence at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo and the main campus in Breslau. The bus runs on weekday mornings and afternoons. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes.
Diving Deeper
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Fees
Annual tuition at St. John's-Kilmarnock School ranges from CAD 26,925 to CAD 86,700 for 2026/27.
Boarding Student Tuition (Grades 9-12) CAD 86,700 (includes tuition, boarding, bus transportation, health insurance, meals, custodianship, laundry, airport transport, and ancillary account up to CAD 2,500)
International Day Student Tuition CAD 54,480 (includes tuition, health insurance, and ancillary account up to CAD 2,500)
Registration Fees - New day students: CAD 3,000 - New boarding/international day students: CAD 5,000
Deposits - Day students: CAD 5,000 tuition deposit (credited toward total tuition) - Boarding students: CAD 15,000 deposit (credited toward total fees) - International day students: CAD 15,000 deposit (credited toward total tuition)
Additional Costs Supplementary fees for uniforms, supplies, trips, clubs, and tournaments apply at all grade levels.
Academics
St. John's-Kilmarnock School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 4 to 18.
Curriculum
SJK is one of only a few IB Continuum schools in Canada, offering all three IB programmes. The Primary Years Programme (JK-Grade 6) uses hands-on, inquiry-based learning. The Early Years (JK-Grade 1) incorporates a Reggio Emilia approach. The Middle Years Programme (Grades 7-10) deepens disciplinary exploration. The Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12) offers a traditional IB Diploma pathway and three Focused Disciplinary Pathways: Creative Industries, Human Performance and Health Entrepreneurship, and STEM Explorations and Innovations.
Student Teacher Ratio
The average class size is 17 students. The school has approximately 545 students across Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Higher Education Progression
SJK achieves a 100% post-secondary admission rate. Graduates pursue programmes in STEM, business, and the arts at a range of post-secondary institutions.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions
Admissions
1. 351. 2. Schedule a campus visit or attend an Open House to tour the school and meet faculty. 3. Submit a formal application for the appropriate programme: Primary Years (JK-Grade 6), Middle Years (Grades 7-10), Diploma (Grades 11-12), or Boarding (Grades 9-12). Day and boarding students follow separate application processes. 4. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis starting in August the year before entry, with first offers typically extended in mid-October. Admission is competitive and not all qualified applicants can be accommodated. 5. Pay the registration fee: CAD 3,000 for day students or CAD 5,000 for boarding and international day students, plus the applicable tuition deposit.
Scholarships
Financial assistance is available through the Affording SJK programme. The school is committed to ensuring access to students of merit regardless of means.
Waitlist
Admission is competitive and space availability can be very limited in some grades. The school cannot accommodate all qualified applicants.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
What ages does SJK accept?
SJK welcomes students from Junior Kindergarten (age 4) through Grade 12 (age 18). The school offers a continuous IB education from early years through graduation.
What curriculum does SJK follow?
SJK is one of only a few IB Continuum schools in Canada, offering the Primary Years Programme (JK-Grade 6), Middle Years Programme (Grades 7-10), and Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12). The Early Years also incorporate a Reggio Emilia approach.
How much is tuition at SJK?
Day student tuition ranges from CAD 26,925 (JK) to CAD 36,475 (Grades 11-12) for 2026-2027. Boarding tuition for Grades 9-12 is CAD 86,700, which includes meals, accommodation, bus transport, health insurance, and custodianship.
Does SJK offer boarding?
Boarding is available for Grades 9-12, with approximately 50 students housed at St. Jerome's University on the University of Waterloo campus. Each boarder has a private room, and five full-time live-in staff provide 24/7 supervision.
What is the average class size?
The average class size is 17 students, with approximately 545 students enrolled across Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
What learning support does SJK offer?
The Learning Services Team includes four specialist teachers, including a Literacy Specialist and a Math Specialist. They develop personalised Learning Support Plans, provide accommodations and assistive technology, and deliver targeted interventions with progress monitoring.
What sports are available at SJK?
SJK offers Pre-Varsity athletics for JK-Grade 6 and Varsity teams for Grades 7-12. The campus features a 15,000-square-foot Athletics Centre with a double gymnasium, fitness centre, four outdoor playing fields, and an OmniCourt.
What arts programmes does SJK offer?
The school has dedicated Visual Arts, Music, and Dramatic Arts programmes running from early education through Grade 12. Students participate in theatrical productions, school band performances, and visual arts exhibitions. The Art, Design and Media Centre opened in 2023.
What is the university admission rate?
SJK achieves a 100% post-secondary admission rate. Graduates pursue programmes in STEM, business, and the arts at a range of universities.
How do I apply to SJK?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis starting in August the year before entry, with first offers typically in mid-October. Submit an inquiry online or contact admissions@sjkschool.org, then schedule a campus visit and complete a formal application.
Is there a bus service?
A daily express bus service operates between the boarding residence at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo and the main campus in Breslau, taking approximately 15 minutes each way.
What accreditations does SJK hold?
SJK is authorised by the IBO as a full IB Continuum school, accredited by the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), and is a member of the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario (CIS Ontario).
What is the Five Worlds Program?
The Five Worlds Program is a distinctive SJK initiative that combines experiential learning with cross-curricular inquiry, providing students with enrichment beyond the standard academic programme.
Is financial aid available?
Financial assistance is available through the Affording SJK programme. The school is committed to ensuring access to students of merit regardless of financial means.
