CISVA History

Over a Century of Excellence: The Inspiring Journey of Catholic Education in British Columbia

The story of Catholic education in British Columbia is one of unwavering dedication, remarkable growth, transformation, and inspiring achievements. From humble beginnings in the mid-1800s to today's thriving inclusive community of schools, our journey reflects the strength and spirit of our faith-based community.

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Black and white photo of a large, castle-like stone building with turrets, a cross on top, and a statue above the entrance. The building is surrounded by well-groomed grass, bushes, and tall trees. A pathway with stairs leads up to the entrance.

160+ Years

In 1858, the Sisters of St. Ann pioneered Catholic education in BC with the establishment of St. Ann's Academy in Victoria. This spark of faith-based learning quickly spread, with Father Leon Fouquet founding St. Mary's Mission School in 1861 with Convent of the Sacred Heart High School in 1912. These early institutions laid the foundation for what would become a robust and diverse educational system.

A watercolor painting of the First St. Clu's Convent, Virginia, 1858-1864, depicting a white wooden building with a small steeple, surrounded by trees and a white fence. In front of the building, a group of children in old-fashioned dresses and hats are gathered outdoors.
Victoria BC's St. Ann's Academy, a historic stone building with ornate architecture, surrounded by trees and greenery.
A vintage school advertisement for St. Ann's School for young ladies, located on Humboldt Street in Victoria, from the late 19th century, detailing uniforms, curriculum, and tuition costs.

A Glimpse Into Our Early History

  • A large group of children and a few adults, dressed in uniform outfits, posing on the steps of a grand building, possibly a school, in a vintage black-and-white photograph.

    1888

    The Sisters of St. Ann established St. Ann's Academy in Vancouver, marking the beginning of Catholic education in the city.

  • Page from a historic government document titled 'An Act for the better Establishment and Maintenance of Common Schools in Upper Canada,' dated July 24, 1850, with sections listed and a crown emblem at the top.

    1872

    First Common School Act passed, failing to recognize existing Catholic schools

  • Black and white photograph of a seated man in clerical attire with a cross necklace, holding a small religious book or prayer card, wearing a cap and glasses.

    1914

    First documented Catholic school in northern BC opened in Babine by Bishop Bunoz and various religious orders

  • A black and white photograph of a clergyman wearing a clerical collar, glasses, and a large cross pendant. He has a unique hairstyle with the sides shaved and the top part combed back.

    1930

    Archbishop William Mark Duke requests recognition of Catholic schools from the provincial government

  • Black and white photograph of seven young girls standing in a row on the steps of a church building. The girls are dressed in dark dresses with white collars, and the sign above reads 'St. Patrick's.'

    1953

    St. Patrick's School starts teaching 89 students in Vancouver. Crerating a centralized community within the heart of Vancouver.

  • A man in mid-air during a high jump event at a track and field meet, with spectators watching.

    1953

    Notre Dame Regional Secondary School opened its doors, ushering in a new era of Catholic secondary education in East Vancouver and Burnaby.

  • Black-and-white photo of a smiling man wearing glasses and a clerical collar.

    1956

    Bishop Fergus O'Grady begins building a system of Catholic schools across northern BC

  • A black and white photo of a large group of men standing in a line outdoors, some holding flowers and others with hands clasped, with two men walking towards the camera, dressed in suits.

    1966

    The formation of the Federation of Independent Schools Associations (FISA) marked a turning point in our advocacy efforts.

  • 1977: Independent Schools Support Act passed, providing financial aid to independent schools

    1977

    Independent Schools Support Act passed, providing financial aid to independent schools

  • Historical black and white photograph of students in a classroom with individual booths, all wearing headphones and working at desktop computers under the supervision of a teacher at the front.

    1989

    The Independent Schools Act increased funding, allowing for further expansion and improvement of our educational offerings.

  • Interior of a building with a decorated wooden Tlingit or Haida style totem pole sculpture mounted on the wall next to a glass door with a brick wall visible outside. The wall inside is covered with light wood panels.

    2025

    Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA) oversees 46 schools serving nearly 16,000 students

Group of clergymen, including priests and possibly bishops, posing for a photo in front of a large, Victorian-style house with wooden siding and multiple windows. The clergy are dressed in black robes, some seated in the front row, others standing be
A black and white photo of three students and a teacher standing in front of a blackboard, observing handmade posters related to St. Patrick's Day and a Golden Jubilee celebration.
A large group of men and women dressed in vintage, early 20th-century attire, standing on the steps of a Victorian-style house.
Black and white photograph of a grade 8 girls' basketball team from St. Patrick, taken between 1944 and 1945, featuring 14 girls and one coach on stage with a painted backdrop.
A black and white vintage photograph of a group of young men, a priest, and nuns in front of a church building. The group is dressed in formal attire, with the young men in suits and the women in religious habits.
Black and white photograph of a school choir of young girls in uniform standing on the steps outside a brick building with large windows.
Black and white photograph of a school group with children and four nuns in front, all dressed in traditional uniforms, sitting and standing on steps outside a school building.
Black and white photo of nine men, some holding paint brushes and cans, standing in front of a chalkboard with handwritten notes about painting a ceiling on August 30th, inside a room with supplies on shelves.
Black-and-white photograph of a women's fastball team from 1944, titled 'Fast Ball Champions 1944'. The team members are posed in three rows with their coach, holding a trophy and sports equipment, with a signed note 'Sunday Photo' in the lower right
Group of students in school uniform standing in front of a blackboard decorated for St. Patrick's Day celebration with signs and drawings.
A group photo of junior seminary students and teachers from Christ the King, Ladner, B.C., taken during 1932-33. The group includes young men in suits and a bishop or priest in clerical attire, seated in front of a building with light-colored siding.
Architectural drawing of a gymnasium addition for St. Thomas More High School, designed by Chomiek J. Leslond. The building features modernist design elements with tall windows, trees, and cars in the parking lot.
A black-and-white photograph of a room with shelves and tables filled with stacks of books, two children browsing, and large windows with curtains letting in light.
Architectural sketch of North Shore Catholic Central High School in Vancouver, British Columbia, showing a large, modern building with trees and small groups of people outside.
A black-and-white photo of a group of boys and girls dressed in choir robes with clergy members outside a church building.
A group of men, likely clergy, dressed in black clerical attire, posing for a photo outside a church building with brick walls and large stained glass windows.
Black and white photo of a large crowd gathered outside a brick building decorated with flags and flowers, with a clock above the entrance and a cross on top, during a celebration or event.
A young man in a long, buttoned clerical or academic robe standing outdoors against a stone wall with one hand behind his back.
A group of children and adults planting a tree in an outdoor setting with trees and bare branches.
Black and white photo of a classroom with a nun and young children, arranged in several rows, in a school setting.
A group of young women dressed in school uniforms sitting at desks with typewriters in a classroom, smiling. One woman is standing at the back, also in uniform. There is a handwritten sign on the wall with flowers and writing.
A black and white photo of a woman with curly hair wearing a scarf, standing next to two boys in school uniforms outside during the daytime, with buildings and a construction site in the background.
2025-02-20 13_00_16-Window.png
Group of children in school uniforms posed for a class photo, holding a sign that reads 'Holy Family School 1972 Grades 1-2-3,' with angel statues and plants in the background.
Black and white photo of a large, multi-story brick building with numerous windows, surrounded by a lawn with trees and a curved pathway leading to the entrance.
A group of young boys standing in front of two vintage buses outside a building labeled 'DOVER COLLEGE CAMPUS,' likely from the mid-20th century.
A large group of men seated at long dining tables during a formal event, with some standing at the back in a decorated banquet hall, date noted as December 1924, during a drive to build St. Patrick School.
Black-and-white photograph of a three-story brick church or institutional building with multiple large windows, a small entrance porch with columns, and dormer windows on the roof. A cross is atop a small steeple.
Stage scene with children in costumes, one kneeling, one standing, a backdrop of a landscape, and children holding flags.
Children acting in a play on a stage with a painted background of a lake and trees, one dressed as a pirate standing, two sitting on the stage floor.
A black and white theatrical stage set resembling a rustic interior with a woman sitting on the floor, another woman standing in a doorway illuminated by light, and various pieces of furniture. The backdrop is painted to look like wood and stone.
A group of students and a teacher taking a selfie in a school gymnasium. The students are wearing school uniforms with plaid skirts and black sweaters, and are making peace signs and smiling. The teacher is on the left, holding a phone to capture the photo.

From the Past to the Future

Today, CISVA proudly oversees 46 schools, including 40 elementary and 6 secondary institutions, serving nearly 16,000 students across the Greater Vancouver Area and Powell River. Our schools have become beacons of academic excellence and spiritual growth, nurturing responsible citizens who live, celebrate, and proclaim their faith.Our success stories are numerous. From innovative programs that blend faith with cutting-edge technology to community outreach initiatives that embody our Catholic values, CISVA schools continue to set new standards in education.As we look back on over 160 years of Catholic education in BC, we celebrate not just our perseverance in the face of challenges, but also our continuous evolution and adaptation. Our history is a testament to the power of faith, community, and dedication to educational excellence. It's a legacy that continues to inspire and guide us as we shape the future of Catholic education in British Columbia.

Children in school uniforms joyfully running down brick stairs outside school building.

The Future of

Catholic Education

Experience a Christ-centred learning environment where academic excellence and faith formation go hand in hand. Discover how CISVA’s 46 schools nurture responsible citizens, rooted in the Gospel and guided by the Holy Spirit, in partnership with home and parish.

Begin your child’s journey today, explore our admissions process and become part of a vibrant Catholic community