From 1901 to 1914, the number of high schools grew from 5 to 40, and the curriculum
changed and developed from traditional "liberal" education to a more practical education.
          

Commercial courses were introduced in 1906 although book-keeping had been included in mathematics for senior students.  Manual Training started in 1901 (thanks to Sir William MacDonald, who funded facilities and equipment in Canadian schools), and became an official high school course in 1908. Domestic Science was offered in Vancouver in 1909, and a full three-year course in home economics started in 1917.