Royal Bay Secondary School

Royal Bay Secondary School, main entry, 2015

RBSS was established in 2015 as one of two new facilities to replace the former Belmont Secondary School on Jacklin Road in Langford.

In September 2013 construction commenced on the new $40.8-million RBSS.[2][3][4][5] Shortly after construction started for the new RBSS building, local media noted that the school is located in the former gravel pit where the remains of a wooly mammoth were discovered in the 1960s. Part of the remains are now in the collection of the Royal British Columbia Museum.[6]

In March 2018, a major building expansion was announced.[7] Construction commenced January 2019 on the new $34-million 600 seat addition made up of 19 additional class rooms including 4 science labs and 2 state-of-the-art computer animation rooms, a third gymnasia featuring indoor artificial-turf, 2 additional athletic change rooms and office, two new parking lots, and a bus lane out front of the School property. Construction was completed October 2020 making RBSS the biggest Secondary School on Vancouver Island.

Following the completion of the expansion, it was announced that the School District 62 French Immersion Program, currently at Belmont Secondary School, would be transitioned and permanently moved to Royal Bay Secondary School. The transition started in September of 2021, and is set to complete in September of 2024.

The facilities are intended to support a wide range of programs, including expanded students' skills and trades training. The athletic facilities include three gymnasia, an Olympic size rubberized track, one artificial-turf play field, one grass play field, as well as a roof-top basketball court. The school incorporates the Teechamitsa Theatre, a 350-seat performing arts theatre which supports the drama and orchestra program. Career and Technical Education spaces included shop work areas for construction, auto/marine, and mechanical/marine courses. The school incorporates a Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) to support both the school and community needs.

RBSS offers academies and special programs in several areas:[8]

• Soccer Academy
• Dance Academy
• Lacrosse Academy
• Girls' Lacrosse Academy
• French Immersion
• Culinary Arts
• Equine Studies
• Dual Credit – in partnership with Camosun College, it is a dedicated trades program focusing on construction, plumbing, electrical, sheet metal, and pipe fitting where students can earn both high school and college credits.

Every year, Royal Bay Secondary School's "Black Wing Theatre Company" presents a new performance at the Teechamitsa Theatre:

• The Pajama Game (2023)
• Pippin (2022)
• Cabaret (2020)
• Peter and the Starcatcher (2019)
• Catch Me If You Can (2018)
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2018)
• Urinetown (2017)
• The Ash Girl (2017)
• Jake's Gift (2016)

• Royal Bay Secondary School
• Sooke School District #62
• Neighbourhood Learning Centres webpage
• Royal Bay Learning Through Music