As part of the English Montreal School Board, Royal Vale is one of the few schools which houses both an elementary and secondary sector. Royal Vale is situated in Notre-Dame-de-Grace. The school has no territorial boundaries and the students come from all areas on and off the Island of Montreal. No busing is provided, consequently parents are solely responsible for transportation of their children or they may opt to participate in an extensive car-pooling system which is organized yearly by the Royal Vale Elementary Home & School Association.
Royal Vale first opened its doors to receive approximately 125 students from Pre-kindergarten to grade 4 in 1987-1988 at the Dupuis location. Royal Vale also existed as a French Immersion only School in the 1970's at the Dupuis location. The project was initiated by Caroline Kramer- Zilkha, who, together with a dedicated group of parents,including Donna Cooper and Marla Shuster,had a vision to create an alternative math/science elementary school. This alternative school would offer full French immersion,a greater math/science focus and a compulsory supplemental program which offered both Jewish Heritage Studies and academic enrichment.
Due to the overwhelming success of the school,classes expanded steadily to include grades 5 and 6, reaching a population of 325 students.
In 1992, due to increasing demand and growing enrollment, Royal Vale moved to its present location on Somerled Avenue in Notre-Dame-de-Grace, the former Westhill High School building. Within five years, three secondary classes were added at each grade level. Presently the school offers a complete program from Kindergarten to Secondary V. The current school population is stable, with an enrollment of 450 secondary students and 340 elementary students.
Royal Vale School selects students who demonstrate strong academic skills in the areas of math and science and who exhibit a proficiency in French and English. Students will be accepted at Royal Vale based upon the following criteria: