Our Mission:
The mission of the Dunster Schoolhouse is to welcome and connect all individuals in arts, culture and education and encourage the outside world to experience our community.
Our Values:
Community
Sense of place and belonging
Inclusion
Cooperation
Lifelong learning
Our Vision:
A community that supports and encourages all people through arts, culture and education.
Our History:
The Dunster Schoolhouse has a history going back to 1915 when the settlers in the new community of Dunster formed a local school board. Â The board met at the train station and began seeking its first suitable teacher. Â The first school was built in 1915 across the road from the train station. Â In 1932 a new building replaced the old schoolhouse. Â This school burned down in 1963.
The community hall was used for lessons until a new building was completed in 1964. Â Over the years the Dunster community and School District #57 worked in partnership to build the gym, tennis court, and playground. Â Parents and community members volunteered for field trips, concerts, hot lunches, Jack Rabbit cross country ski programs, and a range of other activities and events. Â Due to fluctuations in enrolment and budget constraints, the school was threatened with closure several times in the 90’s. Â Designated as a “choice” school, it became one of only two fine arts elementary schools in the province. Â The academic curriculum was taught through the arts with visual arts, media arts, drama, and music integrated into daily classes.
In 2010, due to ongoing closures, the Dunster Fine Arts School was closed. Â Community members and parents were committed to keep the school going by volunteering as teachers, using a tent for a temporary school, even in the winter months, when they had no access to the building. Â These determined community members fought for the Dunster Schoolhouse.
The Schoolhouse was bought by the Dunster Fine Arts School Society in 2010 and the community celebrated 100 years of the Dunster School in 2015.
In 2016, the Schoolhouse was paid off in its entirety and a mortgage burning party ensued to celebrate!
Most recently, the Dunster Schoolhouse received a much needed facelift with new roof, windows, insulation, doors, and wheelchair ramps. Â The Schoolhouse continues to be a vital and vibrant community space open to all to create, commune, and learn, right in the heart of the Robson Valley!
