Boarding school can be a formative experience for young people. It builds character and teaches students invaluable life skills and habits that will prepare them for the often-challenging post-secondary transition period.
According to a 2025 report from the Association of Boarding Schools, boarding school students and alumni find their work more engaging, value learning more and feel more successful in school and life.
St. Michaels University School (SMUS) in Victoria offers the ultimate university preparation experience, both in its academic programming and premium boarding. For students in grades 9 through 12, SMUS represents an ideal balance: a globally minded, university-preparatory education with Advanced Placement classes, paired with a supportive residential experience that fosters independence, leadership and global perspective.
“SMUS is proud to find that balance between global perspective and local connection,” says Keith Driscoll, director of boarding and student life at SMUS. “Our community brings together students from around the world. We are also a community deeply rooted in Victoria, which creates an environment that feels both expansive and grounded.”
The value of boarding
At the heart of the SMUS experience is its premium boarding environment. And, contrary to the preconceived ideas that are sometimes attached to boarding school, Driscoll notes that boarding students at SMUS experience a strong sense of community built on trust and intentional care.
“We focus on developing self-reliance, not isolation,” says Driscoll. “Students learn to navigate life while understanding they are part of a supportive, connected community.”
At SMUS, students benefit from small class sizes, personalized guidance and a strong sense of community. “House parents at SMUS are highly trained professionals, and students form meaningful connections with a consistent group of adults who know them well,” says Driscoll.
“At the same time, boarding at SMUS is designed to feel like a real teenage experience,” he continues. “Students have the freedom to explore the city, spend time with friends and make choices about how they use their time, while supported by a clear structure and a caring adult network.”
Making boarding accessible
Boarding schools are not exclusively for the wealthy. SMUS is making efforts to lower the financial barriers of boarding school through scholarships and financial aid. Last year, more than 20 percent of the SMUS student body received financial aid.
SMUS’s The Best School Year Ever contest, for example, offers prospective students the opportunity to enter to win a full or partial scholarship to board at SMUS for the 2027-28 school year.
“The Best School Year Ever contest opens the door for students who may not otherwise consider a boarding experience like SMUS,” says Driscoll. “It removes financial barriers and focuses on potential, passion and what a student can contribute, not just academics.”
The contest opens in September 2026 for students in North America entering grades 9 to 12 in September 2027. The contest closes in December 2026.
“It is also about possibility,” he concludes. “Students who are selected gain access to an environment where they can explore their strengths and carve out their own path, because at SMUS there is not just one definition of success.”
Learn more about boarding at SMUS at www.smus.ca/boarding. Learn more about The Best School Year Ever contest at www.bestschoolyearever.ca.
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