# Belmont Secondary School

École Secondaire 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. It currently stands 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.

## 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.
In June 2013, construction commenced on the $53.9-million Belmont replacement school on the site of the former Glen Lake Elementary School. Even before its replacement had been completed, the sale of the former site to food retailer Sobeys was announced on April 3, 2014. The new Belmont Secondary School opened to students for the first time on September 8, 2015.

## 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

## Notable alumni

* Alex Newhook – NHL Player, Montreal Canadiens
* Tyson Barrie – NHL Player, Nashville Predators
* Adam Cracknell NHL Player, Arizona Coyotes
* Greg Zannon – NHL Player, Colorado Avalanche
* Jennifer Tilly – actress
* Paul Hyde – musician and record producer (noted as a founding member of the bands The Payola$ and Rock and Hyde).
* Bob Rock – musician, sound engineer, and record producer (noted as a founding member of the bands The Payola$ and Rock and Hyde).
* Larry Pollard - a former Canadian NASCAR Busch Grand National Series driver.
* Mike Rowe – noted for establishing www.MikeRoweSoft.com and the ensuing lawsuit with software giant Microsoft.
* Cory Monteith – actor (Glee)
* Ryder Hesjedal – UCI World Tour professional cyclist for Trek-Segafredo, winner of the 2012 Giro d'Italia, 6th overall in the 2010 Tour de France
* Torqel Baker - multi-media artist known for voice acting, content creation, editing, and comedy.