Our School Story

McNair

Who Are We?
- McNair Secondary is a culturally and socio-economically diverse population. Our student membership includes: students who receive English Language Learning support (Levels 1 through 5), students who are identified as learners with Special Needs, Indigenous and International students. We have a flag display in our main hallway that showcases all the countries represented by our community. School demographics as reported in the Ministry of Education School Data Summary Report (April 2016) indicates that of the 50% of students whose home language is not English, the most commonly spoken languages are Punjabi (9.5%), Mandarin (10.3%), Cantonese (7.5%), and Tagalog (6.3%).
Our Strengths:
- McNair offers a range of learning opportunities designed to meet the needs and interests of the school population.
- Coupled with a strong academic program, McNair also offers a comprehensive elective program and a host of specialty programs, including Advanced Placement Calculus, English Literature and Studio Art, a very strong Performing Arts Program, a Culinary Arts Program, Auto and Info Tech Classes, Integrated Academics, and the McNair Mini School.
- McNair’s Performing Arts Program offers a wide range of courses in theatre and music including Theatre Company, Stagecraft, Strings, Jazz and Concert Band; our talented performers continue to win competitions and produce professional quality Theatre productions. These programs are complemented by a Visual Arts Program offering courses in Photography, Drawing and Painting, Ceramics and Sculpture and Advanced Placement Studio Arts.
- The McNair Integrated Academics Program is an alternative academic program designed to meet the learning needs of students in Grade 11 and 12 who have not achieved success in the mainstream classroom. Students must be capable of writing all required provincial exams; they must complete learning outcomes while working in a smaller class setting.
- McNair’s Culinary Arts Program runs a teaching cafeteria serving two meals a day to the school community as well as providing outside catering. Students learn ‘hands-on’ food service within a working, teaching kitchen with a Red Seal Chef.
- The McNair Mini-School, with a cohort of 30 students in each grade, this program is designed for highly motivated students and provides enriched academic, social, and leadership opportunities with a focus on outdoor education. Since 2000, McNair students have received 27 Gold, 48 Silver and 65 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards, recognizing young individuals worldwide for their commitment to achievement, citizenship, community service, and physical training.
- McNair’s Open House brings parents, school and community together to highlight the great work, care, and engagement of students and staff.
Opportunities for our Students:
- The McNair Student Council fosters leadership with participation in a variety of leadership conferences including the school district’s Table 38 program. The council plans and facilitates social activities (such as Spirit Week activities), awareness activities (such as Earth Day awareness and Anti-bullying-Pink Shirt Day). They are also involved in raising awareness and funds to support Cancer Research and other notable causes.
- The Marlinaires and the Unity and Peace Club are two student groups whose goal is to promote Social Responsibility. They make and deliver food to the downtown Eastside; they serve as ambassadors and hosts for a variety of events in the school and community and promote social awareness by modeling positive behaviour throughout the McNair School Community. The Eco-Marlins Club encourage Environmental Responsibility by modelling the proper sorting of waste.
- The Athletic Council provides leadership and supports a healthy athletic program at McNair. Students organize the Terry Fox Run, Run for the Cure, the annual Grade Seven Basketball tournament and the Year End Athletic Awards Banquet. McNair has a healthy Physical Education enrollment and offers a comprehensive list of extracurricular athletic opportunities.
- In keeping with our school motto, “A Caring Community”, many of our extracurricular student clubs and councils focus on community service. Each year student groups raise awareness, support and money for a variety of charities and causes including Covenant House, Singing Frogs Aboriginal Head Start PreSchool, Ride to Conquer Cancer, Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, Canuck Place, Free the Children, Richmond Food Bank.
- McNair has a dedicated PAC Executive and our monthly Parent Advisory Council meetings are an important venue for sharing information about progress towards our goals. PAC has been instrumental in applying for and securing gaming funds to support student programs in the school. In addition, we have a large turn-out of parents to our athletic events, performing arts evenings and mini school activities.
- Our school community acknowledges the importance of high levels of social responsibility and its impact on creating a safe, connected learning environment. In addition, empowerment through student leadership is a prominent feature of our school.
Challenges:
- The retention and success rates of our students is very good and our parents are extremely positive about the school. We have decorated athletes, celebrated artists, Loran Scholarship recipients; yet, there remains in the larger community some negative perceptions about McNair that stem from events occurring over a decade ago. Our challenge continues to be identifying ways to communicate the positive work and accomplishments of our students and staff and making the perceptions of McNair more accurate. We are proud of our students and our staff, of their work ethic, of their caring and of their many accomplishments.
- McNair offers a wide array of program offerings to students. We believe it is important to continue to expand the number of options available for students that lead to success for all. McNair is a strong, well-balanced comprehensive school where students continue to provide energy and appreciation that sparks the enthusiasm of staff. With the support of the parents, this school will continue to offer an impactful and meaningful education to the McNair community.
Mission Statement:
- McNair is a caring school where students, staff and parents learn together in a safe environment based on trust and mutual respect. Our purpose is to provide opportunities for all learners to realize their potential and pursue their goals.