A. R. MacNeill Secondary School is a secondary school in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. As of September 2025, there are approximately 1134 students attending the school. It is in School District 38 Richmond. The school was built at a cost of over CAD 25 million. The feeder elementary schools are Anderson, Cook, Talmey and Tomsett.
The school is named after Allan Roy MacNeill, a lifelong educator who became the principal of Richmond High School in 1928, a role he would hold for 31 years.
In addition to being one of the youngest schools in the district, it is also known to pilot and test any new ideas before they are applied to the rest of the schools in Richmond. Due to this specialized program, Macneill has been ranked as one of the most efficient schools in all of Greater Vancouver.
History A.R MacNeill opened on September 2, 2003. In its first year, it was home to about 200 students and staff. The school also began with only two grade levels, 7 and 8, and as each year passed it added another grade. The first senior class graduated in 2008.
2006–2007 In the 2006/2007 school year, students entering grade 10 were removed from their respective academies and put into what was called the Transition Academy. This new academy was created to emphasize and educate students about graduation requirements, such as the recent Graduation Portfolio and post-secondary and career options.
2008–2009 In the 2008/2009 school year, MacNeill stopped accepting grade 7 students due to low enrollment and completely discontinued the arts and science academy options. MacNeill began using an electronic attendance system called BCeSIS and a new schedule management software.
Timetable Students at MacNeill take eight courses over the period of two days (Day 1 & Day 2). Each "day" consists of four 65-75-minute periods, a 15-minute break, 20-minute advisory (homeroom), and lunch. Wednesdays and Thursdays, there is Personalised Learning Time (PLT), each course is 65-minutes long, and advisory is omitted. Students' timetables on all days of the week start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m.
Athletics A.R. MacNeill competes in the RSSAA leagues and enters teams in all of the traditional fall, winter and spring sport seasons. The following sports are available:
Fall Girls' Volleyball Boys' Volleyball (Junior & Senior) Boys' Soccer (Senior) Cross Country Swimming
Winter Girls' Basketball Boys' Basketball Table Tennis Curling
Spring Boys' Volleyball (Grade 8 & 9) Girls' Soccer Badminton Golf Tennis Track & Field Ultimate
Clubs The school has a variety of clubs, covering a vast number of subjects from arts to humanitarianism.
Active clubs (2023/24) ClubDescriptionA.R. MacNeill Programming and Media ClubBC Youth CouncilStudents advocate for youth wellness, mental health and community engagement.Board Games and Chess ClubStudents learn, share, and play tabletop games.Business ClubBuzz Art ClubStudents participate in studio sessions and annual Art-A-Thon to raise money for charity.Cancer Kids First VancouverChoir ClubChristian ClubCoding ClubDance TeamDungeons and DragonsEmpower HerStudents fundraise to support marginalized women in BC.Filming and Performing ClubFirst RespondersTeam of students with first aid training who respond to emergencies in the school.Grad CommitteeThis club plays an important role in planning various graduation events.Green TeamStudents aim to help the Earth by promoting sustainable lifestyles. Health Science ClubInspire 2 UpliftPromotes friendship and inclusion of disabled students through a buddy program.Junior Science ClubKnitting/Crochet ClubMacNeill STEM SynergyMacNeill United Against HungerMacNeill Workshop ClubMental Health ClubStudents fundraise to support marginalized women in Richmond.Mind Over MatterStudents raise awareness of mental health issues and challenge stigmas. Model United NationsMuslim Student AssociationRainbow ClubSupports and empowers LGBTQ+ students and allies.Raven Outdoor ClubStudents join field trips once a month.Raven ReceptionMulti-lingual students help accommodate new and ELL students.Raven RelievesProvides students with volunteer opportunities in their community. Raven Reelz ReviewStudents meet to discuss and review movies.Rough SketchStudents learn the fundamentals of worldbuilding.Senior Book ClubGrade 11–12 students meet monthly to discuss a chosen book.Strings ClubStrings players connect and rehearse in a variety of musical styles.Student CouncilStudent Council is a student leadership group that promotes school spirit and community activism. The council plays an important role representing the entire student body and plans many events throughout the school year.Study ClubProvides a place for students to gather and study together.Universal RavenFor short term exchange students to meet with local students.Wharton Global Youth CompetitionAllows students to participate in the Wharton Global Youth Competition.
Inactive clubs The following clubs are not active as of the 2023/24 school year: ClubDescription30 Hour FamineRaises funds and awareness to fight world poverty.Amica ClubMulticultural/friendship club promoting diversity with school and encouraging tolerance and anti-racism.Animal Rescue ClubParticipates in fundraising initiatives with the goal of helping to support animals in care.Anime ClubBandChess ClubDrama ProductionStudents acting or helping behind the scene to produce the annual spring drama production.DVD ClubThis club takes photos and videos throughout the year and edits their footage to make the school's yearly DVD.Gardening ClubTends to the school garden.Global FootprintsJapanese Culture ClubJazz BandLibrary MonitorsShelving books, keeping it organized & taking care of the library.Raven ReadersThis club meets on a monthly basis to discuss different books.Raven ReviewWrites and produces seasonal magazines containing school news & athletics, reviews and entertainment.Ski and Snowboard ClubStudent Interpreters ClubStudents who act as interpretersUnity ClubHelps students with special needs feel connected and a part of the school.
See also Richmond, BC School District 38 Richmond Public School
References
B.C. government capital projects inventory
External links Official web site School reports – Ministry of education Class Size Satisfaction Survey School Performance Skills Assessment Enrollment Reports