Ross Sheppard High School - The School's Namesake

The School's Namesake

Sheppard represented Canada in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, and competed in the hop, step and jump. Sheppard went on to become a teacher, principal and school administrator, and served as superintendent of the Edmonton Public School Board from 1940 to 1955. When he retired, the school board named its newest high school in his honour, constructed starting in 1956, and then added onto in 1958. Sheppard devised the composite high school system, becoming the first superintendent in Canada to implement the concept. During his 15 years as Superintendent of Schools, the number of permanent public schools increased from 30 to 63. Sheppard’s retirement in 1955 concluded 42 years of service to the Edmonton public school system. He died 12 years later, on September 4, 1967.