Bench Elementary School was founded in 1872 and presently enrolls approximately 316 students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. Bench has a pleasant rural setting, and serves students from families with diverse demographic backgrounds. Approximately 4% of Bench students have an aboriginal heritage. Special needs students are integrated into regular classes whenever possible and appropriate. As is the case in many other schools in the Cowichan District, the enrollment at Bench went through a decline at the start of the decade (282 students in 2003/2004) that was followed by a general increase in enrollment up until 2009-2010 despite the move of grade 6 students from 'South End' elementary schools to George Bonner Middle School following its renovations in the 2006-2007 school year. When this change occurred the enrollment at Bench was projected to drop by approximately 60 students. However, the relocation of the Cowichan Station Rural Traditional Program and the attendant move of some of those students to Bench, as well as recent real estate and housing developments in the Cowichan Bay area compounded to mitigate the expected enrollment decline. In January 2010, the enrollment at Bench was 326 students compared with an enrollment 327 students in January 2009, 305 in January 2008 and 310 in January 2007. Up until now, the student enrollment at Bench has been fairly static despite losing the Grade 6 students to middle school.

The Bench staff is very caring and hard working with eclectic specialties that include reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, music, computers, sports and fitness. Staff hobbies and interests frequently influence the classroom environment and staff are motivated to promote student success academically, socially and physically.

Promising practices in Bench include a guided reading program for students in grade 1, home and accelerated reading programs, Achieving Excellence in Writing With Blended Structure and Style, daily physical education for all students, and weekly whole school runs. In addition, with the generous support of our Parent Advisory Council, we have been able to install SMART boards in almost all of our classrooms. the effect on student engagement of SMART board technology is very promising.