Welcome to a captivating journey through the rich history of School District #19 in Revelstoke, a narrative woven with the threads of our educational legacy.
As we traverse the corridors of time, we take immense pride in the milestones and achievements that have shaped the foundation of our district. This timeline serves as a testament to our commitment to fostering knowledge and nurturing the minds of generations past and present. We extend gratitude to the Revelstoke Museum and Archives for their invaluable assistance. Their unwavering support has illuminated the past with historical context and adorned our timeline with precious photographs, allowing us to celebrate and preserve the heritage that defines School District #19. Join us on this nostalgic expedition, where each chapter unfolds with gratitude and pride, showcasing the indelible mark our community has left on the tapestry of education in Revelstoke.
Please note that images are approximate of the timeframe and may not necessarily be directly representative of text provided.
1886
School located on the river side of Front Street between Victoria Hotel and railway bridge. Total enrolment 17 pupils - nine boys & eight girls.
1889
Second schoolhouse was former Northwest Mounted Policy (NWMP) Barracks at the top of Douglas Street hill. School opened with 28 pupils: 9 boys and 19 girls. At the end of 1890, there were 44 pupils: 21 boys and 13 girls.
1890
Official recognition of Revelstoke school by Department of Education in Victoria. Government provided $1,500 to build a new school. Third new school finished building cost $3,046.87. Dimensions: 75 feet x 26 feet with two rooms of equal size designed to accommodate 60 pupils each year. Had a bell tower 60 feet high.
1891
27 pupils at opening of first publicly-owned school building in the West Kootenay. Enrolment by end of year: 38: 19 boys and 19 girls.
1896
61 pupils enrolled. Six grades, allowing the teacher less than one hour per day per individual grade.
1898
Albert Sullivan, BA hired as principal with salary of $70 per month.
1899
New wing added to original building. Enrolment over 200. Any students wishing to go to high school had to leave Revelstoke.
1902
Trustees applied to Provincial Government for $10,000 for new school building. Local by-law submitted to taxpayers for additional $8,000 to build an 8 room school. New school named Central School, opened January 1903, under new principal Albert Edgar Miller. Staff of 5 teachers.
1904
First high-school class: 23 students, three in 2nd year, all others in first year.
1908
Fifth Annual British Columbia Trustees’ Convention held in Revelstoke.
1911
Selkirk School, an 8 Room School built on Sixth Street East, opened. 278 children in Grades 1 to 8 to attend Central School, and 177 from Grades 1 to 4 to attend Selkirk
1914
Revelstoke High School had second highest pass percentage in province, with 83.33 compared to provincial average of 66.03.
1924
Melvin Wesley Abbott began teaching at Revelstoke High School in 1924. Later became principal for about 30 years.
1920's to 1980's
Many one-room rural schools in the areas outside of Revelstoke, including Big Eddy, Mount MacPherson, Mount Begbie (near the airport), Mount Cartier (eight miles south), Twelve Mile, Sidmouth, Arrowhead, Trout Lake, and other communities. Newly qualified teachers were expected to serve one or two years in a rural school before they could move into the larger centres.
1938
An annex was built next to the high school for home economics classes and manual training, such as woodworking.
1951
A gymnasium was added to the Revelstoke High School
1957
Farwell School opened in January 1957
1959
Big Eddy Elementary opened. Central School building burned down.
1960
Joseph Hammond Junior High School opened in September 1960 – Honored Joseph Hammond, father of Helen Hammond, long-time school teacher. Mr. Hammond served as school trustee for over 20 years. At Helen Hammond’s retirement one student from each of her many years of teaching provided her a rose.
1964
Joseph Hammond Junior High School closed in 1964. Revelstoke has not had a junior high school since that time.
1965
Revelstoke High School moved to present location in 1965. Two previous schools at that site: Mountain View Elementary and Joseph Hammond Junior High School – schools connected to become Junior & Senior High. Mountain View Elementary moved to old high school.
1965
Mica Creek dam and townsite is created and Mica Creek Elementary and Mica Creek Secondary schools open
1967
Mount Begbie Elementary was opened at the corner of Fourth Street and Downie Street
1975
Columbia Park Elementary School opened.
1978
Mica Creek Elementary and Secondary School close with the ending of Mica Dam construction project.
1979
Arrow Heights Elementary School opened
1983
Selkirk School torn down in 1983 and Selkirk Gardens condominium complex was built on the site.
1987
Farwell Elementary closed. The building currently houses Okanagan College and Stepping Stones Childcare Centre.
1996
Proposed amalgamation of Revelstoke School District with Shuswap School District in Salmon Arm, but due to community support, Revelstoke remained its own district.
2002
Big Eddy Elementary closed in 2002. Site has been redeveloped for housing.
2011
New Revelstoke Secondary School opens providing state-of-the-art school, energy-efficient school for Grade 8 to 12 students in Revelstoke
2012
Mount Begbie Elementary and Mountain View School closed and schools merge together at the new Begbie View Elementary.
2012
Begbie View Elementary was built on Tenth Street in 2012 to replace Mount Begbie and Mountain View schools. It includes an Early Learning Centre, including Corner Stones Childcare Centre, and a gymnastics studio.
2018
Revelstoke has approximately 970 students in three elementary schools and one secondary school.
2020
Mount Begbie Elementary site purchased by BC Housing for community housing project.
2024
Revelstoke student population expands to approximately 1100 students as the community grows.
