Belmont Secondary School is a secondary school located in Langford, a western suburb of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is one of three secondary schools in School District 62 Sooke. It serves the suburban West Shore area of Colwood, Highlands, Langford, and Metchosin. The school ranks as the largest Secondary School by student population on Vancouver Island.
History The first secondary school in the area was established on the school's former Jacklin Road site soon after the Second World War in re-located Army buildings. Several years later, two schools were constructed in permanent buildings: Elizabeth Fisher Junior High School and Belmont High School. These were merged in 1973 into Belmont-Fisher Secondary School, and a new library was constructed to connect the adjacent buildings. After two years under this name, it was shortened to the current Belmont Secondary School.History of Belmont Athletics
In 2021, in response to increasing enrollment and limited capacity, the school board approved the transfer of the French Immersion program to Royal Bay Secondary School over a three-year period. An expansion at Royal Bay Secondary, completed prior to the transition, increased the school’s capacity by 600 students. The transfer was finalized at the end of the 2023–24 school year, with 2024 marking the final graduating class from the French Immersion program at Belmont, concluding a 30-year run that began in the 1993–94 school year.
New facilities In December 2012, it was announced that Belmont was to be replaced with two new grade 9–12 schools: a 1,200-student replacement Belmont Secondary in the Glen Lake area of Langford, and a new 800-student Royal Bay Secondary School to be built in Colwood. The new facilities were intended to support a wide range of programs, including expanded students' skills and trades training. Additional programs such as culinary arts and automotive technician are being considered and links to the shipbuilding industry with possible metal fabrication and marine trades training programs are being explored. Both new schools will have Neighbourhood Learning Centres to provide community services.BC Ministry of Education news release, Dec. 18, 2012 . Retrieved 2013-01-05
In June 2013, construction commenced on the $53.9-million Belmont replacement school on the site of the former Glen Lake Elementary School.BC Ministry of Education news release, June 27, 2013 . Retrieved 2013-11-07New Schools – SD62, October 9, 2013 . Retrieved 2013-11-07Goldstream News Gazette, 2011-10-31, retrieved online 2012-02-18 Even before its replacement had been completed, the sale of the former site to food retailer Sobeys was announced on April 3, 2014.Times Colonist, April 3, 2014 The new Belmont Secondary School opened to students for the first time on September 8, 2015.Times Colonist, September 9, 2013
Academies In addition to a challenging academic program ( including Dual Credit & AP classes), Belmont Secondary offers students the opportunity to participate Academy programs. Baseball Academy Softball Academy Hockey Academy
Career programs Secondary School Apprenticeship Camosun College Partnership Programs Accelerated Credit Enrollment in Industry Training (ACE IT): ACE IT/Dual Credit Carpentry Program ACE IT Cosmetology Program ACE IT/Dual Credit Automotive Service Technician ACE IT/Dual Credit Joinery/Cabinetmaking Program
Music Belmont Secondary offers the following music programs and courses: Concert Band, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz, Jazz Band, R & B Band, Drumline, Introduction to Guitar, Music Composition and Production/Electronic Music, Introduction to Piano, Marching band, and Senior Band.
Athletics The school offers the following athletic and sports programs: Badminton Football Softball Basketball Golf Cross Country Hockey Volleyball Rugby Weight Room Soccer Dance Track and Field Mountain Biking Indoor rock climbing
Notable alumni
Tyson Barrie — former NHL player Adam Cracknell — former NHL player Ryder Hesjedal – UCI World Tour professional cyclist for Trek-Segafredo Paul Hyde — musician and record producer, a founding member of the bands Payola$, and Rock and Hyde Cory Monteith — actor, Glee Alex Newhook — NHL player, Montreal Canadiens Larry Pollard — former Canadian NASCAR Busch Grand National Series driver Jonathan Reaume - ARCA Menards Series West driver and team owner Josiah Reaume — ARCA Menards Series West driver Bob Rock — musician, sound engineer, and record producer, a founding member of the bands Payola$, and Rock and Hyde Mike Rowe — noted for establishing www.MikeRoweSoft.com and the ensuing lawsuit with software giant Microsoft David Smith — ARCA Menards Series West driver Jennifer Tilly — actress
References
External links School webpage School District webpage Microsoft Sues Teenager Mike Rowe WestShore Literacy Program School District facilities plan update 2010 Belmont Secondary Young Leaders video Neighbourhood Learning Centres webpage Belmont Alumni – history