Renfrew School, located at the corner of 22nd avenue and Rupert St., has been in existence since 1928. Prior to this date, pupils from the area attended the Beaconsfield Annex, a wooden structure which still stands directly behind the present school and is used today as a primary classroom. The name "Renfrew" comes from the principal town of the Scottish county of Renfrewshire.

The school was officially opened on December 7th, 1928 by Vancouver's mayor, his Worship L.D. Taylor. The school board report at this time stated, "This building provides ample accommodation for 320 students and is designed to meet any increased growth in this district for some little time to come".

When the school opened, there were seven teachers on staff, including the principal, Mr. T.V. Clarke. Most of the first staff of Renfrew were bought over from Beaconsfield School, having been selected on an arbitrary basis. In the initial year of operation, the enrollment totaled 277 pupils, and average of 39.6 students per class.

The school grounds encompassed approximately 8 acres, with a market value estimated at $6,550. The buildings were estimated at a value of $110,000.

The area surrounding the school in 1928 was described as a country atmosphere. Large tracts of bushland surrounded the school on three sides, and most of the students lived in the area south of 22nd avenue. In fact, on Rupert Street itself, between 22nd and Broadway (9th) there were only three houses. Teachers at the school in these early days remembered standing on the front steps of the school waiting to flag down the bus which would take them back to the city centre. Early residents recall that there was no shopping area in the district at all, and residents had to go up to Kingsway or downtown for whatever they might need.

In 1929, the Renfrew School grounds were graded, making an excellent football field for the pupils. The Board stressed at the time that this did not complete the work to be done, but that it was "a good start". Teachers were urged in this year to "inculcate morality in their pupils". Teachers were reminded that classes should take physical exercises on the school grounds as soon as possible after 9:00 a.m.. All students were warned that skates and scooters were not allowed on the school grounds, and one early staff member recalls that students were cautioned not to bother the cow that was tethered in the field across from the school.

A concert at Christmas in 1929 netted the sum of $105.10, which was used to buy pictures for the school and books for the library. That year, the school enrolled nine divisions, with an enrollment of 331 students. The total operating expenditure for such things as salaries, supplies, etc, was $17,411.64.

The school population remained fairly constant throughout the early 1930's, but by 1939 the school enrollment had dropped to 261 with eight teachers, and the next year, there were seven teachers and 256 students. Teachers that year were informed that all straps were to be handed in to the principal.

It is interesting to note that in 1940, the library quota of pool books was increased by 10 to a total of 35. In aid of the war effort, it was decided that War Savings Stamps would be sold in the school, and the wooden building at the rear of the school was turned into a Red Cross Depot where district residents came to pick up wool used in knitting articles to be sent overseas.

In 1943, like many other city schools, Renfrew was closed from January 19th to February 3rd, due to a lack of fuel. The children's lunchroom was installed in 1943, and hot meals were served by members of the P.T.A.

The 1940's saw a steady rise in the student population at Renfrew School, and by 1946, the school had 389 pupils and a staff of 11 teachers. To accommodate the extra students the staffroom had been converted to a classroom and library. The next year, it was proposed to spend $128,000 to make additions and provide needed equipment. Shortly thereafter the newly-formed Central Mortgage began their first big housing scheme, "The Renfrew Heights Project". As the houses were finished, classes were put on shift to accommodate the increasing enrollment.

Construction was begun in 1948 on seven classrooms and three special rooms. The rooms were completed and occupied by December of the following year. The formal opening of the Renfrew School Addition, by Trustee John Henderson, took place on October 25, 1950. The Vancouver Sun wrote at the time "Vancouver's Renfrew School, looking three times larger than a year ago, had its two shiny-new additions declared officially opened Wednesday night . . . 23 rooms are now housed in the enlarged structure in place of the former 8". The school population had now reached 756 students.

Due to continued growth, an Annex, known as Renfrew #2, was built in 1954, and occupied by three primary classes. The annex is no longer in operation. A new addition, containing a gymnasium, 7 classrooms, and a Learning Assistance room, was opened in October, 2003.

Renfrew Elementary presently accommodates about 475 students in 21 divisions, and is a designated "Neighbourhood School".