Maquinna main school officially opened in 1953 followed by the Annex in 1968.

There are approximately 450 students enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade Seven in the two schools. The Annex is unique in that all students are primary age in classes from Kindergarten to Grade Three. Maquinna schools have a culturally diverse population. There are over thirty languages spoken in the community, with the most predominate being English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

The majority of students come from homes where English is a second language. Parents are formally involved in school planning through participation in the Parent Advisory Council (PAC). The parents of Maquinna schools are involved in the school programs and have participated as active partners on the learning team. Parents expect that the staff at Maquinna schools will provide high quality instruction to all students in every area of the curriculum.

Mission Statement:
To enable learners to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills, and foster life long learning and experience success in future life pursuits.

School Highlights:
The school program is enriched with many opportunities to observe and to perform music, dance, drama and art. Musical and dramatic productions such as Winter and Spring Concerts and the district Choral, Dance, and Strings Festivals give forums for our Grades One to Seven Choir and our Intermediate Strings Program.

Personal Planning and Physical Education Programs add important dimensions to our curriculum. Intra and inter-mural sports activities encourage participation and enjoyment in physical activity. Noon hour clubs such as the Dance Team, Art Club, Games and Puzzles Room, Kilometre Club, Ukulele Club, Student Council, Playground Monitors, Tap Dancing, Peer Tutors and Library Helpers extend the school programs for many students. The school also provides, with help from the PAC, a swimming program for Gr. 4, skating for the school, a Hip Hop dance lesson series, CPR life-saving lessons for Gr. 6 and 7, and a Safe Teen program for Gr. 7.

An enrichment program for the Sunrise Area which includes Maquinna schools is provided for students from Grades Two to Seven. Approximately twenty four students attend these sessions annually.

As an integral part of our school philosophy, students and staff study and celebrate the cultural diversity of Canada's population. Included in our program is the recognition and celebration of special events and festivals, assembly presentations featuring the song, dance, literature and artwork of various cultures , monthly displays highlighting seasonal festivals, a study of racism by senior students and mini units about important global issues. For the last two years Maquinna has had a resident artist with "ArtStarts in Schools" funding to work with students and extend the fine arts curriculum in the school program. One artist worked in visual arts and this year we will work on dramatic arts.

At Maquinna schools we stress the three "R's" - be respectful, be reasonable and be responsible.