A Brief History of the Schools at 3850 South Oyster School Road, Saltair, BC

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The first school, named South Oyster School, was built in 1885 and measured 20 x 36 feet.  The first teacher John R. Scott was succeeded by a local Cowichan man named James Dougan who taught at the school 1886-1888. The school was not in operation 1895-1905.

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A new schoolhouse was completed in 1905 with the first teacher, Miss Edith Tulmadge Smith.  This schoolhouse was in operation until 1935. 

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In 1945 the school site became part of School District 67 (Ladysmith/Chemainus) and re-opened again in 1948 under the name Saltair School with 38 students in grades 1-2. 

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In late 1949 a new school was built on the same site and renamed Mount Brenton Elementary School after the local mountain landmark.  Two rooms were added to the building in 1950, four more classrooms, an office and a gym in 1957, another classroom in 1958, and a library in 1968. 

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In 1972 Mount Brenton Elementary School became the most northerly school in School District 65 (Cowichan).

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In 1977 the Cowichan Valley Regional Board approved a draft agreement drawn up between School District 65 (Cowichan), the CVRD and the Saltair Recreation Commission to allow the recreation group to use Mount Brenton School during non-school hours. 

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The school closed permanently at the end of June 2003.  Today the former school building and site is known as the Saltair Community Centre.