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Trusted by families since 1998.
St. John's-Kilmarnock School logo
OUR KIDS REPORT:

St. John's-Kilmarnock School

Grades JK — 12 — Waterloo Region (Breslau), ON (Map)
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School Busing:

SJK School offers bus transferring. Service options offered are regular rider, regular rider AM only, regular rider PM only, occasional rider.

The regions SJK School offers busing from are:

Additional notes: Sharp provides SJK Busing Services. They are the leading provider of home-to-school transportation for students across Southern Ontario.

THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
St. John's-Kilmarnock School
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

School overview

  • LOCATION
    Waterloo Region (Breslau), ON (View address)
  • Next open house
    N/A
  • Application Deadline
    Aug 15, 2026
  • School eBrochure
    N/A

The big picture on St. John's-Kilmarnock School

We wrote a book reviewing the school

St. John's-Kilmarnock School, Waterloo Region (Breslau), ON  - The OUR KIDS Feature Review

The 50-page review of St. John's-Kilmarnock 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

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"SJK is the leading independent school in Waterloo Region, offering enriched JK–Grade 12 education through the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. As the only IB World Continuum School in Southwestern Ontario, SJK inspires students to discover their passions through meaningful, student-centered learning. With 100% university admission, our graduates are confident, well-rounded, and prepared for success in post-secondary and beyond."

  • Accredited IB World Continuum School
  • Experienced, passionate, professional teachers
  • Project-based, design-thinking experiential learning
  • Extensive co-curricular programs in athletics, arts, leadership and community service
  • Outdoor experiential learning
  • Beautiful 40-acre natural campus
  • Fresh and healthy daily dining
  • Supportive, connected community
  • Five Worlds international experiential opportunities
  • Impactful leadership opportunities

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

Passionate, forward-thinking teachers guide learning through the International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP and DP continuum curriculum. In addition, our picturesque 40-acre campus connects students to a natural environment. SJK offers a rich co-curricular program with opportunities in the arts, athletics, and leadership. With an average class size of 17 students, small classes are where big ideas live. An inclusive, caring community where all students feel supported and connected.

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

SJK is an IB World School that offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. The IB programme is experiential in nature, oriented towards university preparation, academically rigorous, and engaging. SJK acknowledges that the IB programme does not meet the needs of every student. Our Enrolment Team is happy to discuss your child's unique educational needs to provide guidance on whether the IB programme is a good fit.

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

SJK was founded in 1972 and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Over the years, the School has invested significantly in campus infrastructure with the construction of our Athletic Centre, the Boathouse, the Newton House Dining Hall and Learning Commons, and in 2023, our Art, Design and Media Centre. SJK has been an IB World School for over 20 years and offers the full IB continuum including the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, and IB Diploma Programme. In 2026, SJK introduced the availability of our Focused Disciplinary Pathways for students in Grades 11 and 12. This is a highly customized academic pathway that facilitates experiential learning opportunities related to student goals and areas of interest. Over the years, SJK has grown and developed in new ways, but the kind, caring, inclusive community that is central to the SJK experience remains the same.

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

The ideal SJK applicant is a student who enjoys school, wants to make the most of the their school experience by becoming involved in a range of co-curricular activities, is respectful toward peers, educators, and the learning environment, and contributes positively to their school community. The culture at SJK fosters risk-taking, balance, inclusion, reflection, and self-discovery.

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

SJK acknowledges that the IB programme does not meet the needs of every student. SJK does not offer online school, part-time school, non-IB class options, or semestered high school courses. SJK does not offer mid-year entry. Learning support resources are limited at SJK.

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

SJK is the only CAIS accredited school in the region, and it is one of the few IB Continuum Schools in Canada. SJK is a small, caring community where strong relationships are fostered. Both curricular and co-curricular programming provide opportunities for students to collaborate, learn and play together. SJK provides an enriched academic experience with opportunities for experiential, project-based learning. 100% of graduates earn admission to best-fit post-secondary opportunities.

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

SJK has a reputation for academic excellence, exceptional co-curricular offerings, excellence in teaching and learning, and outstanding graduate outcomes. Our beautiful 40-acre natural campus and modern facilities are also standout features. Most importantly, our teachers are known for being highly qualified, innovative, kind, caring, and supportive. Alumni in our community often reflect that the true legacy of SJK is our exceptional faculty.

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

Visitors to SJK always remark on the beauty and tranquility of our 40-acre natural campus, with its pond, forest trails, varsity playing fields, and safe, rural setting. Families may not realize the opportunities for learning that exist in the natural landscape around us. Tending to a vegetable garden, studying the flora and fauna in our natural landscape, tapping the maple trees, canoeing or engaging in our invasive species removal project—learning in nature is an everyday experience at SJK.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

Ours is a diverse, inclusive community of learners who enjoy school and make the most of the many opportunities available to them inside and outside of the classroom. SJK is a place where students will feel supported and safe, able to take risks and try new things. Students often tell us that they tried things at SJK that they never would have tried in a larger, less supportive environment. SJK is a place where you will discover your areas of passion and strength and feel supported.

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

SJK opened the new Art, Design and Media Centre in September 2023. In summer 2024, SJK acquired a three-acre rural property next to our campus, which includes office space, programming space, green space for outdoor programming, and workshop/storage, enhancing our facilities department. These are just the two most recent enhancements, but when families visit our campus, they can easily see the many impactful recent capital developments, such as the Boathouse and Newton House, which includes the Dining Hall and Learning Commons.

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

SJK is strongly focused on further resourcing teaching and learning with further investment in our student leadership programs, library and research resources, learning support, and pedagogical innovation.


We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

St. John's-Kilmarnock School: Q&A 2021

Watch our St. John's-Kilmarnock School Q&A discussion with Kate (Alum), Hannah (Alum), Sacha (Alum) to gain fresh insight into the school’s culture, values, and strengths.
Parent and Student Q&A Roundtable with Private Schools and Educational Consultants

St. John's-Kilmarnock School: Alumni Review from Anna Bout

Watch our alum interview with Anna Bout to learn about the unique experience of attending St. John's-Kilmarnock School.
St. John's-Kilmarnock School, Alumnus Video Review from Anna Bout

St. John's-Kilmarnock School: Alumni Review from Tommy Newton

Watch our alum interview with Tommy Newton to learn about the unique experience of attending St. John's-Kilmarnock School.
St. John's-Kilmarnock School, Alumnus Video Review from Tommy Newton

Parent, Laura Armstrong (2023)

(4.4)

Gr. 1 (current),JK (current) — Both of our children are in the Lower School and are having a happy and enriched experience at SJK. They both enjoy their teachers, homeroom, and specialty teachers alike. The smaller class sizes allow for personalized learning and extra experiences. Our daughter's class approached the Head of School for approval to find space on campus to plant a pollinator garden during their Honey Bee Unit. The garden is now thriving and this is a special memory for my daughter and her friends. The Outdoor Educational Experience class is a favourite with lots of time outdoors and on the beautiful campus, building shelters learning about animals, and making maple syrup in the spring. Both kids have made lovely friends and continue to grow friendships. Of course, being in the lower school they enjoy the playground facilities and field games during recess with a much-used Gaga ball pit. There are plenty of co-curricular activities after school that keep our children busy and engaged, Lego club and Ukulele club as favourites.
See all reviews (4 total)

We reported on the school in articles

Profile of Cheryl Boughton, Head of School, St. John’s-Kilmarnock School

I feel so fortunate to be on such a beautiful campus.” St. John’s-Kilmarnock School is located on 36 acres of land in rural countryside nestled between Waterloo, Guelph, and Cambridge. “When I drive to school in the morning I drive through farmers fields and I see the mist and I see the crops."

Insider community voices

 

Dig deeper into St. John's-Kilmarnock School

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