About

Head's Message

Welcome

St. John’s-Ravenscourt School (SJR) is an independent co-educational Kindergarten to Grade 12 university-preparatory day and boarding school that offers an outstanding all-round education for talented boys and girls. We are fiercely proud of our rich heritage and combine our long traditions with best teaching practices to enable our students to thrive in this quickly changing world, not only during their school days but at university and beyond. Our School community is built around the four pillars of academic excellence, creative expression, active healthy living and social responsibility.

We have extremely high expectations of our students, in terms of their academic commitment and co-curricular attainment as well as their personal qualities of compassion, integrity and service. I am very proud to lead a School of such fundamental strength, clear mission and exhilarating possibilities.

SJR has rightly earned an enviable reputation for ensuring that our students rise to the challenge and fulfil their academic potential. Our talented faculty has forged a strong tradition for educational innovation and for creating a vibrant learning environment that nurtures students and helps them grow into well-rounded adults. There is also, of course, our tremendous raft of co-curricular opportunities that develop leadership, self-belief and character.

Situated on the banks of the Red River in Winnipeg, SJR boasts a wonderful campus and some of the very best facilities of any independent school in Canada and beyond.

The best way to appreciate our warm and purposeful atmosphere and strong sense of community is to make a personal visit. Come and meet me and my colleagues and talk with our splendid students. In the meantime, this website provides a wealth of information about life at SJR, and I hope it captures your imagination.

Jim Keefe, Head of School

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List of 1 members.

  • Photo of James Keefe

    Jim Keefe 

    Head of School

List of 3 items.

  • Vision

    Strive ~ Serve ~ Lead
    Strive to excel. Serve with humility. Lead with integrity.
  • Mission

    To provide a respectful learning community for our students that inspires academic excellence, creative expression, active healthy living and social responsibility in order to develop compassionate and confident individuals.
  • Values

    SJR values: these are the fundamental beliefs that drive our behaviour

    Pursuit of Excellence
    • Students strive to fulfill their potential in academics and through our extensive co-curricular program; the faculty develops and all staff support teaching and learning programs that are scholarly and challenging; all members of the community hold themselves to high ethical standards.
    Breadth of Experience
    • Students are engaged in a wealth of opportunities in academics, arts, athletics and service; the needs of the whole child, intellectual, social and emotional, are addressed; respect for diversity is fostered throughout our community.
    Commitment to Stewardship
    • We take responsibility for careful management of our resources, of the environment, of the rights and needs of others, locally, nationally and globally; we are dedicated to doing our best to improve ourselves, our School, and our communities.
    Influences of the Past and Possibilities of the Future
    • We appreciate the traditions of the School and the contributions of the alumni and all those who have shaped its history; we seek to develop in our students the attributes of global citizens; our graduates embrace a world of change and innovation.
     
St. John’s-Ravenscourt School was founded in 1820 principally to serve the children of the Selkirk settlers. By 1834 there were forty students, evenly split between boys and girls. SJR has inevitably grown and changed over the years since, though its success throughout has been unimpeachable. We have graduated 18 Rhodes scholars, for example, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II granted patronage and established a scholarship in her name in 1981. Today the programs are as strong as our reputation. A strong academic program is paired with an equally strong attention to the values of stewardship, ethical leadership, and excellence in all areas of academic, social and athletic life.