Friday February 20, 2026 | COLWOOD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Royal Roads University (RRU) and Sooke School District 62 (SD62) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets the stage for developing new dual credit opportunities for high school students in the west shore region of Greater Victoria.
The agreement outlines possibilities that would allow SD62 students to earn university-level credits while still in high school, creating earlier, more seamless transitions into post-secondary education and reducing both time and cost to earn degree-level credits while still in high school.
SD62 high schools are located in Langford, Colwood and Sooke. Currently there are 4,745 high school students in SD62 (Grades 9 to 12). Student enrollment is growing at about 2% right now, down from the 4% to 5% range of recent fast-growth years.
Registration for Grade 11 and 12 courses is coming up soon (after spring break, in April), for students to being those courses in the 2026-2027 academic year. At least two of the dual-credit courses will be available for a Fall 2026 start.
The brief MOU signing event was held at the main RRU campus in Colwood today. The courses would be largely taught at the RRU Langford campus.
Steenkamp told the small gathering that the MOU solidifies “a really important relationship in our community” to “help ensure earlier and more seamless transition in to post-secondary”.
Attending today’s MOU-signing were RRU President Philip Steenkamp and SD62 Board Chair Amanda Dowhy (who both signed the MOU) as well as SD62 Superintendent Paul Block, SD62 Associate Superintendent D’Arcy Deacon, local MLA Darlene Rotchford (Esquimalt-Colwood), Deb Linehan, RRU interim vice-president academic and provost, and other leadership from campus and community.
Boosting transition:
“Royal Roads is deeply committed to opening more pathways for learners in our community,” said Philip Steenkamp, President of Royal Roads University.
“By working together with SD62, we have an opportunity to create truly meaningful experiences for young people, the kind of experiences that inspire confidence, spark curiosity and help students envision themselves thriving in post-secondary,” said Steenkamp, who is in his second five-year term as RRU presdident.
There has long been an effort by SD62 to boost the number of its graduates who go on to student in post-secondary. By providing dual-credit courses (i.e. a post-secondary course taken while in high school, with credit provided at both levels) students are exposed to higher learning and meanwhile achieve those courses without tuition cost.
When courses are offered at a local university it is presumed to pre-condition students to the availability of post-secondary learning close to home.
As for starting university close to home: “We all know that it makes a huge difference in terms of participation rates, engagement and retention,” said Steenkamp.
“We know that students who take dual credit courses — 70% of them are successful in their post-secondary career,” says SD62 CEO & Superintendent Paul Block. “Many first year students when they transfer from K-12 to post-secondary are not successful — the drop-rate of is about 80%,” he added.
Block points out that students who take dual credit courses in high school have a much higher success rate of staying in post-secondary for four years or even farther along so they can transition to jobs.
“That’s the real benefit of dual credit, is improving those transitions,” said Block today.
Dual credit:
Students entering Grade 11 in the 2026/27 school year will have the opportunity to choose dual credit courses from the new RRU undergraduate certificate programs in Business and Sustainability, Applied Environmental Sciences, or Social Sciences.
Courses will take place primarily at the RRU Langford, John Horgan Campus, providing west shore students the opportunity to begin their university journey close to home.
The Langford campus (aka John Horgan campus) on Goldstream Avenue in downtown Langford opened in September 2025. Three main undergrad programs are offered there: Business and Sustainability, Applied Environmental Sciences, or Social Sciences.
Those course areas are in high demand, particularly business, says SD62 Superintendent Block. Environment and sustainability is also a government priority, notes Amanda Dowhy, Board Chair, Sooke School District.
“Exploration builds direction. Through dual credit opportunities, students can discover what interests them, gain firsthand post-secondary learning experience, and graduate with both confidence and a head start on their future,” said Dowhy.
“They’re able to do this in a familiar setting, surrounded by teams of educators who know them and are committed to supporting their success as they take meaningful steps toward their goals.”
Off to a good start:
Already two dual credit courses are running this semester with Camosun College with 10 SD62 students in each class.
Timeline:
RRU and SD62 are developing the details for application processes, student supports, admission requirements, and other operational elements needed to bring the dual-credit program to life.
The collaboration will align with guidelines from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and the Ministry of Education and Child Care, ensuring any future program offerings reflect provincial dual credit policy.
The MOU outlines guiding principles for the partnership, emphasizing student success, supported transitions, inclusion, and mutual value for both institutions.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: POST-SECONDARY | K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION | SOOKE/WESTSHORE SCHOOL DISTRICT | ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY