title: School District 79 Cowichan Valley
text: # School District 79 Cowichan Valley
  
  The Cowichan Valley School District, is located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It consists of numerous elementary (Kindergarten-Grade 6 or 7), middle (Grade 6–9), Secondary (Grade 8–12) schools, and alternative schools for programs like adult education.
  
  The current Superintendent of the Cowichan Valley School District is Robyn Gray.
  
  ## History
  
  The current school district can trace its heritage to the Colony of Vancouver Island. Two school districts were established in the area prior to the colony joining mainland British Columbia.
  
  South Cowichan School District was established on June 16, 1869. North Cowichan School District was established a year later on June 16, 1870.
  
  The current School District 79 was formed in 1996 when School District 65 (Cowichan) was combined with School District 66 (Lake Cowichan).
  
  A French Immersion program was established in October 1997, for the 1998–1999 school year. It has grown strong roots and continues to get bigger each year
  
  On July 1, 2012, after refusing to send a balanced budget to the Ministry of Education in British Columbia by June 30, the elected Board of Trustees was dismissed. Current Official Trustee Michael McKay was instated and balanced the budget.
  
  Reconfiguration of the Cowichan Valley school district has been set to commence in the 2013–2014 school year. This marks the change from a middle school model (kindergarten-grade 6, grades 7–9, grades 10–12) to an elementary school system from kindergarten-grade 7 and a secondary school system from grades 8–12. Much deliberation and community input was utilized to implement this new school system.
  
  ## Schools
  
  Elementary/Middle Schools :
  
  | School | Location | Grades |
  | - | - | - |
  | Ecole Mount Prevost Elementary | Duncan | K-7 |
  | Alex Aitken School | Duncan | K-7 |
  | Alexander Elementary School | Duncan | K-7 |
  | Bench Elementary School | Cowichan Bay | K-7 |
  | Chemainus Elementary School | Chemainus | K-7 |
  | Ecole Cobble Hill Elementary | Cobble Hill | K-7 |
  | Crofton Elementary School | Crofton | K-7 |
  | Discovery Elementary School | Shawnigan Lake | K-7 |
  | Drinkwater Elementary School | Duncan | K-7 |
  | Khowhemun Elementary School | Duncan | K-7 |
  | George Bonner Elementary School | Mill Bay | K-7 |
  | Maple Bay Elementary School | Maple Bay | K-7 |
  | Palsson Elementary School | Lake Cowichan | K-5 |
  | Mill Bay Elementary Nature School | Mill Bay | K-3 |
  | Tansor Elementary School | Duncan | K-7 |
  | Thetis Island Elementary School | Chemainus | K-6 |
  
  Secondary Schools :
  
  | School | Location | Grades |
  | - | - | - |
  | Chemainus Secondary School | Chemainus | 8-12 |
  | Cowichan Secondary School | Duncan | 10-12 |
  | Cowichan Valley Open Learning Co-op (alternative) | Duncan | 6-12 |
  | Frances Kelsey Secondary School | Mill Bay | 8-12 |
  | Lake Cowichan Secondary School | Lake Cowichan | 4-12 |
  