Outside of classes, we provide a variety of formal support services for students. This includes helping them gain research skills in the library, effectively plan their academic schedule, get counselling and learning support, navigate university applications, and ensure they are healthy and well.

There are also peer supports embedded in the Senior School program to ensure all new students are welcomed with open arms and have a voice in our community.

Academic Support

The Snowden Library

The Snowden Library is the academic heart of the Senior School, designed to be a comfortable and welcoming space. 

The goal of the supportive library staff is to promote a love of reading as a lifelong habit, and to help you develop key skills, such as researching, to help you be well-prepared for the rigors of university study. The excellent academic resources include the latest in digital databases and a rich fiction collection for you to enjoy.

There is a designated library classroom for you to use, as well as breakout rooms for group discussion and collaboration, the Whisper Zone for quiet study, and comfortable seating for your reading pleasure.

Thanks to our library staff, you will continue to develop a love for reading at the school. This permeates all collaboration efforts with English classes and is reflected in many events during the year, including an active Book Club, Book Teas, visiting authors, displays that reflect current events and more.

Our Library Program Mission Statement

In preparation for lifelong learning, the mission of our Library Program, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, is to provide students with the skills and resources to become independent, critical readers and thinkers. As global citizens, students should have the opportunity to become effective, ethical users and producers of ideas and information. Our students are encouraged to develop a love of reading. Our integrated library initiatives, program and resources reflect values of equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Writing Centre

The Senior School has an on-campus Writing Centre where you can get assistance with your writing. English teachers offer this free resource to all students twice a week after school in The Snowden Library to give support with and feedback on your academic writing.

University Counselling

The University Counselling department helps students and parents navigate the post-secondary options available to them. The main goal of our university counsellors is to guide you in finding schools and programs that are good matches, and then to offer helpful information on procedures, timelines and application expectations.

They also help students with their course selection at SMUS to ensure students are taking courses they enjoy and are enrolled in courses that will help them with their university goals.

Learning Resource

Senior School has a dedicated staff of Learning Resource specialists to provide you with the tools and skills you need to reach your potential, if needed. Some of the ways they help include:

• working with subject teachers to address a student's learning obstacles;
• helping plan student transitions;
• providing accommodations for testing and note-taking
• providing access to assistive technology; and
• understanding and working with students with social and emotional difficulties.

Our Learning Resource team also runs lunchtime workshops for students to help build a variety of academic skills.

Health and Wellness Support 

SMUS has a well-equipped, on-campus Health Centre, where nurses are on-call to provide medical assistance and a doctor comes to campus for appointments. If you need to see a specialist, the Health Centre will make an appointment and provide transportation. A hospital is only a five-minute drive from campus. If you’re involved in sports, you’ll know that injuries happen, so SMUS also has a certified athletic therapist to help you safely get back to performing at your best.

Counselling and Emotional Well-Being

Your mental health is as important as your physical health, and staff at SMUS are committed to providing you with the support you need. You will regularly meet with your homeroom advisor who can guide you on academic or personal questions. You also have confidential and 24-hour support from our counselling team.

We support the social and emotional well-being of students through a variety of programs that address harassment, mean behaviour, social cruelty and bullying, while promoting ethical behaviour and our Values of Respect, Courage, Honesty and Service. Learn more in our Discrimination Protection and Anti-Bullying policy. We are committed to establishing a safe, inclusive and equitable learning environment for all members of the community.

There are also a variety of clubs and councils focused on health and wellness you can choose to participate in.