Balmoral Hall School - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Academics
Balmoral Hall School is renowned for academic excellence within a caring, all-girls environment. The academic program has six components – Academics, Arts and Technology, Athletics & Health Education, Personal Management & Leadership, Co-Curricular Participation, and Social Responsibility & Global Awareness. Students will be challenged at all levels of ability while at the same time being supported in their developmental and learning differences.
Balmoral Hall School offers a personalized approach to education where each student’s performance is regularly evaluated using internal and external tests, projects, assignments and written exams (held twice a year). Students are involved in creating a MERIT/Career Portfolio from Grades 6 – 12. An Advanced Placement (AP) Program is offered in Grades 11 – 12 and a Pre-AP academic program from Grades 6 – 10. The College Board’s AP program affords students an opportunity to pursue university level studies while in high school. Universities that participate in the AP program offer credit, advanced placement, or both to students. (www.collegeboard.com)
Athletics
School sports offered throughout the year include volleyball, basketball, soccer, ultimate, badminton, curling, cross country, track and field, aerobics, golf and inter-house activities. There is also the woman’s hockey program.
Modern athletic facilities are located on campus. Each Balmoral Hall School student is also a member of nearby Winnipeg Sports Club, where students may participate competitively or reacrationally in swiming, tennis, squash, racket ball, and bowling. Please consult the school's website for complete list of athletic activities.
Arts
Students of all abilities are expected to take courses and participate in visual or performing arts. Modern facilities and professional artists ensure that highly talented students may reach their full potential in music, dance, art, and theatre. Balmoral Hall School ensures that all students may participate in their favorite activities—at whatever level.
Past BH students have studied ballet with Royal Winnipeg Ballet School (www.rwbschool.com), theatre at the Prairie Theatre School, and filmaking at the National Screen Institute (www.nsi-canada-ca) , and art at the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts (www.mcma.ca).
Unique Programs or Strengths of School
Single Sex Education
There is much debate about how girls fare in co-educational settings. Studies have pointed to the fact that, historically, girls have been short-changed by classroom settings in which boys, by virtue of their assertiveness, receive more attention from teachers. Researchers have noted that girls actually score higher in aptitude, achievement and self-esteem when they enter school than when they leave it, with the greatest dip in confidence occurring during the turbulent years of adolescence. They point to the fact that girls are dramatically under-represented in engineering, the physical sciences, computer sciences and other technical fields.
House System
Balmoral Hall School is derived from Balmoral Castle, the private residence of the British Sovereign. From the many high turrets, one of which is one hundred feet high, can be seen a commanding view of the surrounding districts. To the west can be seen Braemar, to the north Glen Gairn, while one mile to the south Craig Gowan stands. Nine miles to the east is the railway station of Ballater. These four districts make up the "houses" of Balmoral Hall School!
As in the UK, and in the “Harry Potter” books for that matter, every student is a member of one of the four houses (Ballater, Braemar, Craig Gowan, Glen Gairn). All new students entering the school are placed in Houses and receive a House pin in September. Houses compete during the year in athletics, debating and various spirited competitions. Houses accumulate points by participating and placing in events. The House with the greatest number of points at the end of the year wins the House Trophy.
School in the Community
Balmoral Hall School has a unique relationship with the City of Winnipeg that allows its students to fully benefit from living in this dynamic city and enjoy its robust array of cultural activities. For example, if a program is not currently offered at BH, the school will arrange for students to attend a program in one of Winnipeg’s cultural institutions, such as the Winnipeg Royal Ballet School. BH will also ensure that students are able to play or compete in their favorite sports by arranging these activities with the well-known Winnipeg Sports and Racket Club. This would not be possible if BH didn’t enjoy a highly supportive relationship with city and community of Winnipeg.
Costs
Please be aware that the costs provided below are designed to provide approximate comparisons. For a precise reckoning of costs, contact an education advisor.
Tuition: CAD 36,200
Application and Assessment Fee - $150 Cdn
Basic School Uniform: $800
Optional Expenses
Tuition Refund Plan $1,256
BH Yearbook - $50
English Language Study
Many Consortium Schools allow students to improve their English abilities while they are studying. The precise nature of the ESL programs tend to vary from school to school; please contact an advisor for a specific description.
ESL Program: Yes
Cost of ESL Program: Included
Visualizing the School
Website: www.balmoralhall.com
Map: View
