History of Our School

In 1917 a school was built on Pine Street between Willow and Cedar Streets.  It was to operate for 21 years, until the expanding population demanded a larger facility.  Students in grades 2 to 10 attended this school.  Grade 1 students were housed in a building on the west side of Willow Street and the north side of Esplanade, and students continuing past Grade 10 travelled to Ladysmith. The second elementary school opened in 1938.  For 63 years Chemainus Elementary School was located on Severne Street; annex schools were operated at Crozier Road and North Chemainus Primary.  Crozier Road closed in ; North Chemainus Primary closed in and the students were moved to Chemainus Elementary School on Severne in order to begin construction of the "new" school.

September 4th, 2001, saw the opening of the "new" Chemainus Elementary School on Gamer Street, the former site of North Chemainus Primary.

As the new school opened, slightly over 300 students were in attendance. The opening of Eagle Wings Pre-school for 3 and 4 year old children and an after school care program provided by the Boys and Girls Club were further developments for the school and its community.

In September 2002, we welcomed students from Mt. Brenton School which was closed due to budgetary restraints. The student population at Chemainus Elementary School increased to over 400, making it one of the largest schools in the District.

In February 2004, Chemainus Elementary School was awarded a designation as a "community school".  The Chemainus Community Schools' Association supports many school activities, publishes the School Zone newspaper,  and sponsors many programs of interest to the community.
 

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Page composed May 11, 2005.