Skip to content

90-year-old school was once Richmond’s only secondary

Richmond Secondary, formerly known as Richmond High, is marking its 90th year with a celebration open house

For decades, it was the only senior secondary school in the entire city, now its alumni stalwarts are busy preparing for the 90th anniversary of Richmond High.

It all started at the end of the 1926/27 school year, as Bridgeport High School, at Bridgeport and Sexsmith roads, became an elementary.

The next school year, 1927/28, the new Richmond High School opened nearby at Cambie and Sexsmith roads in the north of the city.

90-year-old school was once Richmond’s only secondary _9
The first ever Richmond High, at Cambie and Sexsmith roads, built in 1927.

In 1952/53, it moved to the current site at Minoru Boulevard, although it was called Foster Road at the time.

And there it stayed, until 2004, when it was re-built on the playing fields to produce the Richmond Secondary that we see today.

“For many years, it was the only senior high school in Richmond, including in 1958, when I graduated,” said John Montgomery, now a director of the Richmond Senior Secondary Alumni Association.

“There was 160 in our class then and only about 650 in the school.”

Walking through the halls of the current Richmond Secondary, the sense of history is there for all to see, with large, framed pictures of every graduating year adorning the walls.

Indeed, come April 21 – the date for the 90th anniversary celebration open house – Montgomery and his fellow alumni association committee members are inviting former students of all decades to come wander the corridors to find familiar faces.

“We have been reaching out to our alumni members through our mailing list and Facebook page. We have 5,000 on the alumni membership,” added Montgomery, whose graduating year is hosting a special 60th anniversary in September.

“We don’t have a handle on the numbers yet, but there has been a lot of initial interest.

“We were tasked to organize the 90th anniversary a few months ago. It’s been a lot of work, but quite rewarding, as well.”

As well as the opportunity to peruse the graduating year pictures and tour the current classrooms, there will be performances from the school’s drama club and music group, as well as several food trucks on offer.

“This will cross graduating year boundaries, so there will be lots of opportunities to see people from before and after your school years,” said Montgomery.

According to a 1967 report found in the archives at Richmond Secondary, the history of the school “started in four rooms.”

“The history of Richmond High goes back to 1908, when a four-room school was built at Bridgeport,” the report stated.

“In 1910, this school became a Superior school with Mr. J. McIntosh as principal. In 1911, there were 25 pupils in attendance, in 1929, 35 pupils, and in 1913, 45.

“By 1926, the need for a separate high school was great as the school population was growing. That year, an eight room building was put up at Cambie and Sexsmith Roads. This first separate high school building was opened in September 1927. This building is still in use today and is the section of the Cambie Jr. High School facing Sexsmith.

“An early report of the teaching staff in this school says that teachers were often from the Maritime Provinces, were highly educated, very idealistic and conservative. The first principal of this new school was A. R. MacNeill.

“Early in 1928, the Richmond Senior High School was officially opened on premises now occupied by the Cambie Junior High School.

“Mr. A. R. MacNeill became principal in September of that year. Fifteen years ago in December, 1952, the pupils and staff of the high school moved to a new modern building at Brighouse.”

The school’s 90th anniversary is on Saturday, April 21, from noon to 6 p.m.

Tickets are $10 (proceeds going to the school) and are available from the association at RHSalumni.Weebly.com or by emailing RSS.AlumniAssoc@gmail.com and at the school office.