117 Years of Excellence in Girls’ Education
Why All Girls?
The research is clear: girls thrive in an environment designed for them.
Since 1908, St. Margaret’s School has been Victoria’s home for girls’ education. As a proud member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, we’re part of a global community dedicated to empowering young women to lead with purpose.
117
Years of All-Girls Education
88%
Feel Comfortable Being Themselves
93%
Report Greater Leadership Opportunities
6x
More Likely to Consider STEM Majors
A Legacy of Empowering Young Women
Whether she wants to be an astronaut, ambassador, or accountant, a girl needs to know—not just think, but really know, deep down in her gut—that nothing can stand in her way. At St. Margaret’s School, we’ve been sending that very message to girls every single day since 1908.
Western Canada’s Only Girl-Centered Boarding School
Located on the beautiful southern tip of Vancouver Island, St. Margaret’s School offers a unique educational experience where every decision—from curriculum design to extracurricular programming—is made with girls’ success in mind. Our small class sizes, IB curriculum, and supportive community create an environment where girls don’t just survive, they thrive.
The Research Is Clear
Decades of research from leading institutions confirm what we see every day: girls flourish when education is designed around their needs.
| She Can Be Herself 88% More than 88% of girls’ school students report that they are comfortable being themselves at school, which means they are free to focus their energies on learning. Source: Dr. Richard A. Holmgren, Allegheny College | Higher Academic Achievement 80% More than 80% of girls’ school graduates consider their academic performance to be highly successful. Nearly 80% report that their classes challenge them to achieve their full academic potential. Source: Dr. Linda Sax, UCLA |
| Greater Self-Confidence 77% 77% of girls’ school students report having self-confidence, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and the ability to handle many things at a time. Source: OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) | Leadership Development 93% 93% of girls’ school graduates say they were offered greater leadership opportunities than their peers at coed schools, and 80% have held leadership positions since graduating. Source: Goodman Research Group |
| STEM Success 6x Girls’ school graduates are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology, and three times more likely to consider engineering careers. Source: Goodman Research Group & Dr. Linda Sax, UCLA | Higher Aspirations 2/3 Students at girls’ schools have higher aspirations and greater motivation than their peers at coed schools, and more than two-thirds expect to earn a graduate or professional degree. Source: Dr. Richard A. Holmgren, Allegheny College |
| Stronger Support Networks 95% 95% of girls’ school students feel supported by their teachers (vs. 84% at coed schools), and 90% feel supported by other students (vs. 73% at coed schools). Source: Dr. Richard A. Holmgren, Allegheny College | Stronger Communication Skills 50% Nearly half of all women graduating from girls’ schools rate their public speaking ability as ‘high,’ and 64% assess their writing skills as ‘high.’ Source: Dr. Linda Sax, UCLA |
Part of a Global Movement
St. Margaret’s School is a proud member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, a global organization united in elevating women’s leadership worldwide by educating and empowering students to be ethical, globally minded changemakers.
The research cited on this page comes from ICGS-commissioned studies and leading academic institutions including UCLA, Stanford University, Harvard University, and the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Learn more at girlsschools.org →
What the Research Also Shows
| Less Disruption, More Learning Classrooms at girls’ schools are less disruptive, and students see a clearer correlation between effort and future opportunities. | Perseverance & Mastery Students at girls’ schools find greater satisfaction in working hard toward a goal, preferring to persist until material is mastered. | Better Wellbeing Wellbeing is a strength at girls’ schools, with fewer incidences of bullying and stronger peer support networks. |
Experience the Difference
For 117 years, St. Margaret’s School has been transforming young women into confident, capable leaders. Discover how an all-girls education in Victoria, BC can make a difference for your daughter.
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