Maxwell International School is a co-ed Bahá'í school located on Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada. It offers boarding students and day students instruction from grades 7-12. Its educational philosophy is based on the principles of the Bahá'í Faith. Students attend from all over the world.
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History
Maxwell International School was established in 1988 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada in honour of May and William Sutherland Maxwell, two of the earliest Bahá’ís in Canada. William Maxwell was one of Canada's premier architects in the late 19th century and was responsible for many buildings. The Château Frontenac in Quebec was one he and his brother worked on while the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, Israel was his last design.
In 1988 the school was opened with guest of honour Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum (Mary Maxwell, daughter of May and Sutherland) and wife of the Bahá'í Faith's Guardian Shoghi Effendi. A tree was planted in dedication to the opening of the school. In the early 2006-2007 school year, the school board decided to drop "Bahá'í" from its name. It is now referred to "Maxwell International School". On 22 November 2007, the Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial reported that the school will close in June 2008.
Learning program
Maxwell provides an accredited academic program for grades 7–12, leading to Canadian high school graduation certification. Learning programs include a spiritual view of humanity, a use of practical, integrative, theme-based projects, the encouragement of creative and artistic expression, and the use of service learning.The average student/teacher ratio is about 9 to 1, and two computer labs with high-speed Internet connections support the curriculum.
Special programs
Maxwell offers English as a Second Language programs aimed at students from non-English speaking countries. The ESL or English as a second language program allows its students to learn in an academic environment while using practical application in everyday life.
The Maxwell Dance Workshop uses the dynamics of dance, music and drama to propose insight and solutions to many of the critical issues challenging today's young people. Established at Maxwell International Bahá’í School in 1989 as a non-profit, educational, performing arts program, the Workshop performs for thousands of children, youth and adults in schools, colleges, universities and community events. The performers are students from grades 7 through 12 who come from diverse countries, religious and cultural backgrounds.
