In Hong Kong, many families see an English-language education abroad as a horizon-broadening, high-ROI endeavour. Priscilla Pang was one of them. When searching for the best option for her son, a family recommended St. Michaels University School (SMUS), an independent day and boarding school of over 1,000 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Victoria, BC, Canada.
One visit to the campus was all it took to impress her son Brady, who was initially hesitant about leaving home. “He told me, ‘I like this school. I think I’m ready. The students here are learning happily,’” Pang says. “That impression stayed with him and with us.”
Sarah Chan, another parent from Hong Kong, remembers having a similar experience when she toured SMUS with her children. “From the moment we visited, my children fell in love,” she says. “What stood out to me was how well the students were cared for. Every question I had — whether about safety, academics, or medical care — was answered in a way that gave me confidence.”
Families like the Pangs and the Chans are drawn to SMUS because of its global reputation for excellence. The private boarding school has a track record of nurturing students to successfully enter the best universities in Canada, the US and the world.
One of the clearest examples of SMUS’s academic strength is its Advanced Placement (AP) programme, which is among the largest and longest-running in Canada. SMUS offers AP courses across over 26 different subject areas, as well as the AP Capstone programme. Offerings span English, mathematics, science, social studies, languages, and the arts, while specialised courses in robotics, design, and engineering add more depth. This variety enables students to tailor their education to their interests while challenging themselves at the highest level.
For Chan’s children, the AP programme has been especially valuable. “They received excellent guidance from counsellors on which courses to take and how to plan their academic pathways,” she says. “That level of individual attention has been invaluable.”
Pang agrees, pointing to her son Brady’s experience. “He took AP Physics 1, 2, and C, which helped him prepare for university,” she says. “He has since been admitted to study aerospace engineering at University of Southern California, which has a 3% acceptance rate. That outcome showed us that SMUS offered both academic rigour and strong mentorship.”
Brady is part of a successful cohort. In 2025, SMUS graduates received 873 university acceptances and nearly CA$4 million (approximately US$2.85 million at the time of writing) in scholarship offers. Such outcomes reflect the school’s academic standards, which are enhanced by its other unique features, such as location and a focus on developing the whole student.
Canada’s West Coast provides a unique blend of vibrant city life and natural beauty. Outdoor and experiential learning is built into student life, with programmes that encourage exploration and teamwork. A wide range of co-curricular activities, service initiatives, and outdoor education experiences not only benefit from inspiring vistas but help students grow into leaders, athletes, artists, and changemakers.
St. Michaels University School is the top choice for families seeking excellent academics and a balanced, student-first environment. Source: St. Michaels University School
Michael Chen, a father of two children at SMUS, appreciates the impact of these opportunities. He highlights a programme called Ridgelines and Coastlines, which emphasises outdoor education. “Bryan has selected the course and participated in the outdoor education in Grade 10, which included a week-long camping trip,” he says. “Beforehand, the students met with teachers to prepare, and during the trip, they had to carry their own gear and supplies while hiking to the campsite. They also had to look after one another and work as a team.”
Experiences like this are part of what makes boarding at SMUS so transformative. Boarding is available for Grades 9 to 12, and nearly half of the senior school community are boarders. Living with peers allows students to integrate quickly while receiving strong guidance and support.
“My children learned how to manage their time, how to work with others, and how to balance academics with life outside the classroom,” Chan says. “Those skills made the transition to university much easier. Jonathan, for example, is now at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and he has told me that the habits and discipline he developed at SMUS prepared him to thrive in such a demanding environment.”
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