On September 22, 1919, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, laid the foundation stone of the building which would be known as Prince of Wales Elementary and High School. In the beginning, Prince of Wales Elementary and High School was a home away from home to children from grade one to grade six. Upon graduating grade six, students would move temporarily to Point Grey Middle School for grade seven and eight, before returning to Prince of Wales High School for grades nine through twelve. Since becoming Shaughnessy Elementary School in 1958, we have welcomed children from kindergarten through grade seven.

We have navigated much physical change over the last century, including a seismic upgrade, completed in 1998.  Today, our iconic exterior stands tall and proud, almost untouched, while our interior has been completely renovated to reinforce the building for safety.