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.
These student profiles are fictional. They are composites of real students and their life at St Paul’s High School. In this sense, the profiles are meant to depict the diversity of the St Paul’s community on many levels.
Everyone has a story. St Paul's has 585 stories to tell. Each individual has his own unique set of gifts and challenges. A Jesuit education at St Paul's takes place in an atmosphere of Ignatian care and concern for each person, students are challenged by a well-rounded academic program and a wide variety of extra- and co-curricular activities. These are designed to encourage healthy spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development.
Roman lives in the north end of the city. His father works in a manufacturing assembly job, while his mother is a stay-at-home mom looking after his four younger siblings all of whom attend the local Catholic parochial school. Roman received substantial financial assistance to attend St Paul's. Roman works hard to achieve the grades that he achieves. An excellent soccer player and a member of the Crusader Varsity team, Roman has been approached by three Canadian universities about a possible scholarship. Considered a highly dependable "go-to-guy" by students and teachers alike, Roman is Vice-President of the Student Council and a Kairos retreat leader.
Jean-Luc grew up in small-town Manitoba and had attended his local francophone school until he applied and was accepted to St Paul’s. His family is not as actively involved in their Catholic parish as they once were. A gifted musician, Jean-Luc has been successful in the Band Program, earning a spot in the Jazz Bands throughout his time at St Paul’s. He is also a valued member of the choir and in this, his grade 12 year, was a leader on the Freshman Retreat. He is anxiously awaiting his opportunity to attend the Kairos Retreat, as soon as the Crusader Hockey season is over.
Adam grew up in Toronto where his family was actively involved in various Jewish community activities. The family recently moved to Winnipeg and was referred to St Paul’s by a coworker of Adam’s mother. Adam is keenly interested in debate and courses in history and world issues. In his grade 11 year, Adam was one of 20 Christian Service medalists, having made a significant contribution to local Jewish charitable organizations during the year.
To hear from the actual students, teachers, parents and alumni of St Paul's High School please view our Admissions Video.
Mark is an all-season athlete. He has a natural ability at just about any sport he would care to try and he has found a place on the Crusader Wrestling and Rugby teams. His family has no formal involvement in a particular faith community, but consider themselves non-denominational Christians. Mark has participated in bible camp in recent summers and has exhibited a sincere interest in larger issues of faith both on a personal level and globally in terms of its impact on politics, economics and societies in general. Mark's family is a single parent household of limited means, so his family applied for and received financial assistance to attend.
John attended public school before coming to St Paul’s. He and his family are active at their Catholic parish. He is socially awkward and shy by nature, but is incredibly intelligent. Not athletically inclined, John, overcoming his outward nature, has successfully found a place on the stage in drama productions and writes for the student newspaper.
Craig is a nationally ranked biathlete with a demanding practice and meet schedule. This also makes it hard to be active in his Lutheran church. Still, he finds time to be involved in Christian Life Communities, small groups of students who meet regularly to discuss the ups and downs of their week in the context of their relationship with God and with the people in their life. An actor in St Paul’s productions, he studies the sciences and hopes to study medicine in university.
Michael grew up in Charleswood. An avid hockey player, he has slowly worked his way up from A1 to AA hockey and loves the game. Michael's parents were raised in the Anglican and United faiths respectively, but formal involvement in a faith community has never been a priority. The family are active volunteers at the local community centre. Being the oldest of the three siblings, Michael makes a special and regular effort to visit his grandmother in the Senior Care Home. Michael is an excellent student at his local public school, but both Michael and his parents were looking for a greater academic challenge and have found that at St Paul's. Michael was the only student to come from his junior high school to St Paul's and although this was very challenging for Michael last year he has met new friends from all over the city and has his sights set on a spot on the Crusader Hockey team next year.
As a Muslim, Adnan was uncertain of the prospects of attending a Catholic school. Religion classes included the study of the history of the Jesuits and the Catholic Church in grade 9 and the study of the Old and New Testaments in grade 10. In all classes, Adnan has been expected to bring his own perspective and to participate and contribute in class discussions by sharing and contributing his own faith experience to the discussion. In this sense, Adnan, like his classmates who are from a Catholic or other faith traditions, are encouraged to explore his own faith and beliefs in the context of other faiths, growing in understanding and commitment to their own faith. Adnan is a Crusader Football player and studies Advanced French, the second language of his father who was born and raised in Lebanon.
Kristof’s parents were born in Poland and immigrated six years ago. He attended Catholic School before coming to St Paul’s. He is a good student, who excels in the humanities, but struggles in mathematics. Fortunately, St Paul’s offers the Consumer Mathematics course, which while not being a university entrance course, does allow his to study at St Paul’s and to excel in other areas. From the first time he played volleyball he has always had a passion for the game, but unfortunately he did not make the Crusader team, although he did help his intramural team to the league championship in his grade 9 year. He was interested in music and has some training in piano. Because the piano is not a high school band instrument, he has picked up the clarinet as a member of the introductory band program.
We hope that the dispelling of these persistent myths and the characteristics of St Paul's students exhibited in these profiles are helpful in your decision to apply to St Paul's. Ultimately, the only way to answer the question of whether your son would be successful in the admissions process is to apply. We hope that you do.
