Dispelling the Myths
The Admissions Process at St Paul's High School
There are several persistent myths surrounding the Admissions Process to St Paul's High School. In some cases, families may choose not to apply to St Paul's based on incomplete or in some case completely inaccurate information about the school, the programs, the students or the process itself.
To ensure that families are making the best decisions based on the correct and readily available information we are sending this information to all families who have expressed an interest in applying to St Paul's this year. Please remember that the Director of Admissions, Mr John Yunyk, is always available to answer your questions about the school, the admissions process and the particular characteristics of your son and his interest in applying to St Paul's. You can reach Mr Yunyk at 831-2327.
Myth #1
Hundreds upon hundreds of students apply to St Paul’s each year
Each year St Paul’s does receive more applications than can be accepted into the grade 9 class, but the ratio of applications to accepted students has never been greater than 1.7:1. The number of students accepted into the grade 9 is generally 145. This admission year is well within the range of previous years.
Myth #2
My son is not an athlete – will he be considered, should he apply?
The St Paul’s Admissions Process takes into account and values the diverse interests and talents of its applicants and actively seeks to select students who will both contribute to and benefit from the diversity of academic, extra-curricular, leadership and spiritual development programming at St Paul’s, of which athletics is only one part.
Not all St Paul’s students participate in athletics. In fact, St Paul’s students become actively involved in academic and other programs that embrace diverse student interests including band, choir, visual arts, computer science, language, multimedia and a full range of courses in science and humanities.
Other students thrive in the many extra-curricular programs offered including performing arts, debate, chess, Reach for the Top, student government, newspaper, creative writing, yearbook and other leadership and service programs. The range of academic, spiritual, extra-curricular, leadership and service programs available to St Paul’s students is as diverse as our student body.
Read more about the academic courses offered at St Paul’s
Read more about the extra-curricular programs including the Performing Arts and Visual Arts
Myth #3
St Paul’s High School recruits 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. Open Houses, advertising, direct mail, public relations, press releases, and websites are all examples of activities and means through which independent and public schools alike promote their schools.
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.
What is true: many students and their families are attracted to St Paul’s because of the success of the St Paul’s athletic programs and the school's ability to promote and facilitate athletic and academic achievement in its student athletes. For many of our students, athletics, at the Crusader or at the intramural level, are an integral part of the St Paul’s experience.
Myth #4
My family is not Catholic. My son is a student of average ability. Does my son have a chance of being successful in the St Paul’s admissions process?
The religious, cultural and socio-economic diversity of our student body is considered a great strength of St Paul’s High School. St Paul’s students exhibit a wide-range of interests, personalities, family circumstances and motivations for attending.
The admissions criteria include a range of considerations which are applied uniformly in the consideration of all applicants. Academic achievement, involvement in a faith community and character (attitude, motivation, work ethic) are all valued. Active involvement in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities is also valued as a measure of the fit between applicant and St Paul’s.
Through our Bursary Program, St Paul’s offers financial needs-based assistance to students who would otherwise be unable to attend. Accessibility is a long standing tradition of Jesuit education at St Paul’s and characteristic of Jesuit schools throughout the world. In 2008/2009, approximately 12% of students received bursary awards averaging $3423 per student.
St Paul’s student body profile:
- 585 students
- 60 faculty, staff, and administration
- 12:1 student teacher ratio
- 36% of faculty members have advanced degrees
- 75% of students are active in extra-curricular programs
- 70% of students are Catholic
- 23% of students are from other Christian Denominations
- 7% Other Faith Traditions
- 45% attended parochial schools before attending St Paul's
- 15% attended full immersion or francophone schools before attending St Paul's
- 5% attended other independent schools before attending St Paul's
- Students come to St Paul’s from more than 50 different schools throughout Winnipeg
- 12% receive bursary assistance
Myth #5
St Paul’s High School offers scholarships to incoming students
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.
Click here for more information about tuition and bursary information
So, who are the students of St Paul's High School?
If dispelling these myths still leaves you uncertain as to what type of student attends St Paul's High School then we would invite you to read the following composite descriptions of the lives of individual students at St Paul's.
