This school is named after Robert Cecil Palmer, a Richmond resident and magistrate in the provincial court for 22 years.

Palmer also utilizes a new system established locally within the Richmond School District called "Personal Learning Time".

The Incentive program also challenges students with leadership opportunities, outdoor and physical education, and community service, with the intent of building strong personal character.

The Incentive program is established on the basis of promoting a well-rounded education for high school students and to develop learners to think critically.

As of 2016–2017, the following five AP courses are offered:[8] The Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE IT) program is the in-class component of a high school apprenticeship.

ACE IT programs are usually offered as partnerships between school districts and post-secondary institutions with onsite training at either location.

Students who successfully complete the ACE IT program earn credit towards both high school graduation and a post-secondary credential.

Independent Directed Studies (IDS), co-operated with the Richmond Virtual School, under teacher supervision, allow students to initiate their own learning on a subject of choice and earn credits towards graduation.

[10] RC Palmer Secondary School has been working with the Collaboration Time late start model for a number of years.

Currently, Palmer Staff meet in groups on the first Tuesday of every month for 75 minutes to work on initiatives related to enhancing student achievement and engagement.

Destination Imagination is a volunteer-led, educational non-profit organization that teaches 21st century skills and STEM principles to kindergarten through university level students through creative and collaborative problem-solving challenges.

The team is most notable for their Instant Challenge excellence, which Palmer had earned 2 consecutive gold medals at the Provincial level.