Balmoral Hall School
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Balmoral Hall School is a private school for girls in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Mission
Balmoral Hall School, a university preparatory school, educates, encourages, and empowers young women who excel academically, possess a passion for learning, set high standards for personal achievement, and who will be self-confident leaders of tomorrow.
At BH, girls have the power to make their mark - in the classroom, on the ice, on stage, or in dozens of academic and extra-curricular pursuits. In addition to our rigorous academic program, our goal is to give students every opportunity to expand their horizons and lead rich, balanced lives by pursuing a variety of interests. Our powerful message to each girl is, "Believe in yourself, achieve your academic and personal best, and you will succeeed at whatever you choose to do."
Campus
Balmoral Hall School is located in a historic neighbourhood in Winnipeg, Canada, along the banks of the scenic Assiniboine River. Students enjoy their experience in our modern facilities:
- 12-acre campus
- Library equipped with CD ROM's, Internet, computer access to libraries and over 14,000 books
- Internet access in all classrooms, offices and residence
- School-wide IBM laptop initiative
- Two computer science centres (IBM and Mac)
- Media Technology Resource Centre (iMac)
- State-of-the-art Physics, Chemistry, Biology laboratories and greenhouse
- Athletic Centre complete with weight room
- Performing Arts Centre and dance studio
- Music Room and private music lesson rooms
- Dining Hall
- Common Room for Senior School students
- Historically designated Aikins House
Academics
Balmoral Hall School provides non-denominational education to 500 students, with class sizes ranging from 18 to 22. Our goal is not simply to teach an enriched curriculum. Our programs are designed to build confidence, competence and what experts call "connectedness", which refers to being a meaningful part of something other than self. Our mission is to help girls build well-balanced foundations for personal and professional success in a changing world.
Our teachers understand how girls learn. They are dedicated to bringing out the best in each girl, by encouraging her strengths and providing support in areas that are more difficult for her. While our programs are demanding and our expectations high, the atmosphere is co-operative and supportive. It is an environment in which every girl feels free to believe in herself, to speak out and take academic risks.
The success of the BH approach is evident. On average, 98% of our graduates attend the university or college of their choice, and over 50% benefit from scholarships. In addition, our students are more likely to pursue careers in math, science and technology than girls in co-ed public schools.
Athletics
The Balmoral Hall School Hockey Program continues the BH tradition of using the best practices in girls learning and development to ensure success. From academics and debating to performing arts and high performance athletics, BH is leading the way in demonstrating how girls can achieve when provided the opportunity to learn and grow in ways that suit them best. A key goal of our hockey program is to provide our student athletes with the high performance hockey experience they will need to ensure a smooth transition to the post-secondary athletics environment through the integration of learning and athletic development to the highest possible level.
The BH Blazers program includes an elite prep team, a high school team, a developmental hockey skills program and a skating skills program (Grades 3 to 8) that is integrated into the BH Athletics curriculum. As collegiate level hockey scholarship opportunities increase for young women, we are proud to offer a real option for promising female hockey players.
Academy of Arts
Visual and Performing Arts has been an integral component of the education program at BH since our founding. With the establishment of the BH Academy of the Arts, Balmoral Hall School will be the first independent school in Manitoba to ensure all students develop an appreciation and passion for the arts through the development of a comprehensive musical theatre and visual arts curriculum. Where other schools offer arts programming as an optional, often extracurricular activity, BH is charting a new course by expanding course offerings in the daily timetable.
Starting in the fall of 2007, the BH Academy of the Arts will offer an array of exploratory to advanced courses in Junior, Middle and Senior School. Studio art and multi-media courses will guide students to apply design principles to the emotional content of their work. Dance courses using the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum will increase self-awareness, musicality, coordination and fitness, spatial awareness, and cultural understanding. Multiple choirs, vocal and dance groups, annual musical theatre productions, and formal recitals will extend learning beyond the classroom. Our artists, dancers, and musicians will have enhanced opportunities to participate and excel in regional and national competitions and festivals.
Residence
Balmoral Hall School has welcomed students from across Canada and the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, China, England, Mexico, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Taiwan, British West Indies and Germany. Our residence has 22 apartment-style suites each with a private bath, telephone and computer hook-ups. The Residence can accommodate up to 55 students and was fully refurbished in 2001. A recreational membership at the Winnipeg Winter Club is made available to all boarding students.
History
BH was founded in 1901 as Havergal College. The name was changed in 1917 to Rupert's Land College to end the confusion with the institution of the same name in Toronto.
Riverbend School for Girls was another school that opened in 1929. Sir James Aikins gave the gift of Aikins House to the United Church of Canada upon his death in 1929. He stipulated in his will that it be used as a school for girls and bequeathed a further amount for its upkeep. Sir Aikins' son, Col. G.H. Aikins also presented his own home (the Red House) to the cause. As a result, Riverbend School for Girls, named after the first building, was opened in September 1929 at the present site of Balmoral Hall School.
By 1950, a decline in students had created deficits at both schools. Rupert's Land Carlton Street facility did not allow for expansion, so it was agreed that the schools would amalgamate to the Riverbend campus. The new school was named Balmoral Hall after Balmoral Castle in Scotland, one of the homes of Britain's Royal Family. School began in September 1950, under the direction of Miss Gwendolyn Murrell-Wright.
Alumnae
The Balmoral Hall Alumnae Association promotes communication among its former students and staff, supports the students of today and tomorrow, and honours and upholds the school's traditions. With over 1,500 active alumnae around the world, the School works to maintain a strong link to its graduates and encourages alumnae participation in the school's various committees and projects.
Admissions
The Admissions Package is available for download in Adobe Acrobat's PDF format on the Admissions Page of the school website at www.balmoralhall.com/admissionsArrangements can be made to assess or test applicants year-round. Acceptance is based on space available in the requested grade, among other factors. For further information, please call the Director of Admissions at (204) 784-1621 or email us at the address below.
Contact Info
Balmoral Hall School
630 Westminster Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3S1 Canada
tel: (204) 784-1600
fax: (204) 774-5534
Email: info@balmoralhall.com
Admissions Email: admissions@balmoralhall.com