History of Oak Bay High School (Victoria, British Columbia)

Oak Bay High School is one of the oldest and most well-known secondary schools in Victoria, British Columbia. Located in the municipality of Oak Bay and part of the Greater Victoria School District (School District 61), the school has served generations of students since the early twentieth century. Over more than a century, it has grown from a small local high school into a large modern educational institution known for its academic, artistic, and athletic programs.

The origins of Oak Bay High School date back to 1915, when the first high school building was opened on Oak Bay Avenue, at the site where the Oak Bay Municipal Hall stands today. At the time, the community of Oak Bay was expanding quickly, and the new school was established to meet the growing demand for secondary education in the area. However, within only a few years the building became overcrowded as the population continued to increase.

To address this problem, the school district purchased land in 1919 on the former Cassanave farm on Cranmore Road; initially being used as playing fields for the school’s sports activities. This property eventually became the permanent home of Oak Bay High School. In 1929, construction on a new and larger school building was initiated on the site. The new facility was officially opened on March 12, 1930 and included twelve classrooms, science laboratories, lecture halls, an art room, and an auditorium. Under the leadership of principal J. M. Billings, approximately 250 students moved into the new building, marking the beginning of Oak Bay High’s long presence at its current location.

As Victoria’s population grew during the mid-twentieth century, the school continued to expand. In 1953, a separate Oak Bay Junior High School was built on the west side of the property to accommodate younger students in grades seven and eight. The new building included facilities for practical subjects such as home economics and industrial education. During the 1960s, additional wings, gyms, and an auditorium were added to the campus as enrollment climbed to nearly 2,000 students by 1967.

By the late 1970s, enrollment patterns had changed and the district decided to merge the junior high and senior high schools into one institution. The two buildings became known as the “East” and “West” wings of Oak Bay High School, and the combined campus served students in multiple grade levels. Despite provincial efforts to rename secondary schools across British Columbia, Oak Bay High retained the traditional “High School” title, along with a few other historic schools in the region.

In the early twenty-first century, the aging school buildings required major upgrades, particularly to meet modern seismic and safety standards. In 2011, the provincial government announced plans to replace much of the campus with a new, modern facility costing over $50 million. Construction began in 2013, and the new building opened for the 2015–2016 school year. The new campus was designed to hold about 1,300 students and includes advanced classrooms, technology, and a Neighbourhood Learning Centre for community use. It was built to high environmental standards, achieving LEED Gold certification.

Today, Oak Bay High School serves roughly 1,300–1,400 students in grades 9–12, including both regular and French immersion programs as well as international students who study in Victoria. The school has a strong reputation for athletics, particularly in track and field, and for its arts programs, including music, theatre, and dance. Over the decades, many graduates have gone on to become notable figures in politics, sports, science, and the arts.

More than a century after its founding, Oak Bay High School remains an important educational and community institution in Victoria, continuing its long tradition of academic achievement and student involvement.