Frequently Asked Questions
How many students will be admitted in September of 2012?
Approximately 600 students are currently enrolled at St Paul's High School. To maintain this enrolment level the School admits approximately 150 students into the Grade 9 class. In addition, the School accepts applications and regularly admits a number of students into Grade 10, 11 and 12. The exact number of students that will be admitted to Grade 10, 11 or 12 in any given year is unknown, as it depends on several factors that cannot be known until later in the school year. We encourage applications to all levels, as applicants will be assessed on their merits and the best candidates will be given the opportunity for admission.
Where do St Paul's High School students come from?
The 150 students admitted into Grade 9 last year come to us from 55 different junior high schools representing Catholic schools, public schools (English), public schools (French), and other independent schools. In general terms, our students come to us from all areas of the city and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Is it true that all you need are high marks to get into St Paul's High School?
While academic achievement is very important, it is only one factor in the application process. Church involvement and religious commitment are both of great importance. However, only students who are able to handle a university preparatory program can be accepted to St Paul's High School, as no other type of program is offered. Report card grades and the results of the Entrance Test are considered important indicators of the candidate's likely success in the academic program at St Paul's High School.
What about the entrance test? How important is the entrance test in the admissions process?
The entrance test is an important part of the admissions process. A poor result in the entrance test, when taken into account with other elements of the application form and supporting documents, may result in an applicant not advancing to the interview stage of the admissions process. On the other hand, once the candidate has entered the interview stage, the entrance test becomes a smaller, but still important part of the overall admissions process, which by then will include the results of the interview.
I am not a Catholic. What are my chances of being accepted?
As a Catholic school, St Paul's High School takes its mission of service to the Catholic community in Manitoba seriously. However, St Paul's High School also welcomes boys of other religious traditions, especially those who practice their faith. Last year, students accepted into Grade 9 came from the following faith communities: Anglican, United, Lutheran, Christian Orthodox, Mennonite, Evangelical Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, and Sikh.
What if I'm not sure my son qualifies for admission?
We encourage prospective parents to discuss their son's profile with us. Please contact Mr John Yunyk, Director of Admissions, at (204) 831-2327 or at email.
When will applicants know if they have been accepted to St Paul's for September of 2010?
The interview stage of the admissions process takes place from mid-February until the beginning of spring break at the end of March. In the second week of April the Admissions Committee meets and makes its decisions. The applicant will then receive one of three possible letters indicating: that he has been accepted; that he is being asked to take a place on our waiting list; or, that he has not been accepted.
I have been asked to take a place on the waiting list. What does this mean?
In any given year an unknown number of students who are accepted to St Paul's may immediately decline the invitation to attend, change their mind through the course of the spring and summer, move away, or otherwise become unable to accept the place being offered. In addition, although St Paul's has a very low attrition rate, the number of existing students in each grade who will not be returning to St Paul's varies from year to year. Any of the above circumstances may enable St Paul's to offer a place to a student on our waiting list.
If you wish to be removed from the waiting list at any time please contact the Director of Admissions. We do not carry-over the waiting list from one year to the next. Each year is a separate Admissions Process requiring a new application should you wish to be considered again for entry in the subsequent school year.
Does St Paul's High School accept applications from International Students?
St Paul's does accept applications from international students, but does not attempt to recruit international students. As with all other applicants, international student applicants will be considered relative to our admissions criteria and relative to other student applicants. International students must compete on an equal basis with all other applicants. St Paul's does not offer an ESL program or tutoring in English as a second language.
What about the structure of the school year?
St Paul's does not have a semester system. The School has two terms, September to January and February to June with each course offered from September through to June. At the end of each term there is a set of exams. Progress reports are mailed home in November and April, and full-report cards are mailed out at the end of each term.
What are the school hours?
The first class begins at 8:35 am and the last one ends at 3:15 pm. The day consists of six periods of 55 minutes each with a five minute break between classes. There is a 45-minute lunch period. Most students bring their own lunch, however the school cafeteria serves a nutritiously balanced breakfast and lunch service and is open from 7:00 am until approximately 4:00 pm. Students in Grade 9 and Grade 10 are not allowed to leave the school building for lunch or at any time during regular school hours.
What is the average class size and what is the student-teacher ratio?
Our average homeroom class size is 26 students per class, with a student teacher ratio of 13 to 1.
How much homework can my son expect?
A St Paul's Education is a formative process in which academics is a very important part. Accordingly, students in Grade 9 are given about one and a half hours of homework every day; in Grade 10 students can expect about two hours of homework every day. Study periods are provided to assist students in the timely completion of research, projects, and assignments. Study periods are supervised for students in Grade 9 and Grade 10; some study periods are supervised for students in Grade 11; all study periods for students in Grade 12 are unsupervised.
What is the religious studies program?
TThe Religious Studies Program is a compulsory four-year program involving a variety of course work, participation in our Christian Service Program, supervised opportunities for retreats, and special celebrations.
What courses are available in each grade level?
St Paul's courses meet or exceed the requirements of the Province of Manitoba's curriculum, allowing students the opportunity to follow an enriched academic program. In addition to the core curriculum required courses, St Paul's offers enriched programs in Music, French, and Mathematics and Advanced Placement programs in French, English and Physics. The religious studies program is required and represents additional credits earned by St Paul's students during their time at the school.
Does St Paul's offer Advanced Placement and/or other extra-credit enriched programs?
St Paul's offers Advanced Placement Programs in French, English and Physics. In addition, the School offers an Advanced Mathematics program in Grades 11 and 12, an Advanced French program in Grades 9 and 10 (which precedes the possibility of AP French in Grades 11 and 12) as well as additional advanced options in the School's Music Program.
What about extra-curricular activities?
Extra-curriculars are an important part of a St Paul's Education. Students are expected to participate throughout their four years and the Admissions Criteria and the assessment of applicants takes this expectation into consideration. Accordingly, the School offers most sports at varying levels of competition. From intramurals to the competitive teams, all St Paul's students will have an opportunity to participate in athletics. Other important activities include drama, newspaper, yearbook, and debating, as well as opportunities in various student leadership programs and service activities.
My son enjoys sports, but is not an all-star athlete, what opportunities will he have to participate at St Paul's?
From intramurals to the competitive teams, all St Paul's students will have an opportunity to participate in athletics. Intramural competition is offered every year in football, basketball and volleyball. In some years, intramural competitions are also offered in badminton, table tennis, soccer and curling. The School offers most MHSAA high school sports at varying levels of competition. Our team name is the Crusaders and the Crusader Athletic program includes competitive teams in volleyball, football, cross-country, golf, basketball, hockey, wrestling, badminton, soccer, rugby, and track and field.
While the try-outs for many of the Crusader teams are highly competitive, there are several Crusader sports offered for which there are no cuts. In cross-country, wrestling, rugby and track and field, every student who wishes to participate can participate and represent St Paul's in inter-school competition.
What other extra-curricular programs are offered?
Other important activities include drama, newspaper, yearbook, and debating, as well as opportunities in various student leadership programs and service activities. If a student has an interest in a particular area outside of the offered programs, we encourage that student to seek to establish the new extra-curricular activity.
Does St Paul's High School actively recruit athletes?
St Paul's High School actively recruits students. This is true of all independent schools. This is also true of large public high schools, especially in the era of schools of choice. Within the St Paul's admissions process, consideration given to active involvement in athletics is a very small part of the admission criteria. Equal consideration is also given to applicants who are actively involved in non-athletic pursuits such as music, drama, cultural activities, and volunteer activities.
St Paul's does not offer entrance scholarships of any kind, athletic or otherwise. St Paul's does have an active bursary program that operates independently of the annual admissions process. Bursary applications come only from existing students (including recently accepted new students, but only after they have been accepted) and bursaries are awarded wholly on the basis of financial need.
What is the dress code?
Students in regular dress code must wear a sports jacket, a collared dress shirt, dress slacks and belt, a tie, socks, and dress shoes. Warm weather dress code, occurring in the early fall and spring, can be one of three options and is outlined in the acceptance package that will be mailed to successful applicants. Clothes must be kept clean and in good repair. Earrings, facial jewelry, and unusual hairstyles are considered violations of the dress code.
What about discipline?
St Paul's insists on good manners and the discipline that follows from that. The discipline at St Paul's High School is a structured, stepped and formative system, in which expectations for behaviour are well known as are the consequences for a failure to meet those expectations.
How do St Paul's students get to St Paul's each day?
St Paul's students come from all parts of the city, including several students who come from areas outside of Winnipeg. Most students take one of three options: (i) public transit, (ii) carpooling or (iii) they drive themselves. There are relatively fewer students who ride their bicycles to the school and some who walk to school.
St Paul's does not offer a bus service. The school assists parents in arranging car pools. Once students have attained their driving license they can arrange for a parking spot in the school's student parking lot.
What about St Paul's being an all-boys school?
St Paul's students have many opportunities for organized social events with girls from St Mary's Academy and Balmoral Hall. Student Council organizes several social events each year including school dances and the Walk. The Walk, held annually each September for more than 30 years now, traditionally involves the students of all three schools (St Paul's, St Mary's and Balmoral) in a day of fun activities that includes a formal walk around Assiniboine Park in support of annually designated charities. In addition, the Drama program tradition sees St Paul's and St Mary's students as active participants in the drama productions at each other's schools. Other opportunities include attendance at school athletic events and some shared participation in spiritual development programs and related awareness activities.
