Our School

Richmond Hill High School is one of the oldest schools in York Region, and has moved several times in its long history. Records and folk-lore show that on December 2, 1851 the first Grammar School in Richmond Hill was established in a single room of a new store at the corner of Yonge and Richmond Street. The space was donated by Abraham Law who later became the first Reeve of Richmond Hill.

In 1853, for the sum of $640, the first building for secondary education was erected in Richmond Hill. The curriculum consisted of Latin, Greek, French, Euclid, Algebra, Arithmetic and History.

In this form, the school served the community for twenty years. After Richmond Hill was incorporated in 1872, a new larger brick facility was built as a secondary school. Unfortunately, the building was destroyed by fire but was replaced in 1897 with a still larger facility for $3,000. This building still stands at the southwest corner of Yonge and Wright Streets. It is owned by the Town of Richmond Hill. This school served the community for twenty-six years and later became the Town Hall.

On December 5, 1924, for the princely sum of $95,000 a new school was opened at 51 Wright Street.

Twenty-four years later, the school management passed to the District High School Board for Vaughan, Markham, Woodbridge and Richmond Hill. RHHS was the “local” high school for these towns. It must have been a long way to school for some of the students.

In 1950, a sizable addition was made to the west side of the building for a cost of $360,000. The east side was extended in succeeding years. Richmond Hill High School also became part of the York Central School Board and finally The York Region District School Board.

In September of 2000 the school moved to its new home at 201 Yorkland Street. This 180,174 square foot facility contains state of the art equipment, technology and science labs.