Work is complete on the upgrade and expansion of Victoria High School. The new addition creates spaces for 200 more students, and includes a new library and learning commons.

“Our government continues to build, expand and upgrade schools throughout the province in order to meet the needs of B.C. students and their families,” said Rachna Singh, minister of education and child care. “I am excited that now more students will have access to an upgraded and modern Victoria High.”

The B.C. government provided $97 million to complete the seismic upgrade and expansion project, with the Greater Victoria School District providing $3 million.

Victoria High’s new neighbourhood learning centre includes new child care spaces with the province providing $1.3 million from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. The spaces are expected to be available in 2025.

As part of the upgrade, the interior was reconfigured for more classrooms while keeping many of the historic features of the 110-year-old school, and incorporating Indigenous designs that honour local First Nations.

The school district worked with Indigenous artists and knowledge keepers for the design elements that are now a part of all areas in the school, including the Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation, Métis Nation of Greater Victoria, and the Urban Peoples House Indigenous Advisory.

Built with sustainability in mind, the addition also has energy efficiency features and holds a LEED Gold equivalent.