The idea for a district high school for the Almaguin region was first considered in 1956.
But it was twelve years before the AHSS building was completed
and even longer before all of the area schools were consolidated into one.
It took the leadership and involvement of an active and interested Board of Education,
the support of the local communities and
commitment from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
But it was twelve years before the AHSS building was completed
and even longer before all of the area schools were consolidated into one.
It took the leadership and involvement of an active and interested Board of Education,
the support of the local communities and
commitment from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
History of the Original
Almaguin Highlands Secondary School
by Mr. John A McDermott
In January 1957, the South River-Sundridge High School District was established. This brought together the two Continuation Schools under one Board. The intent was to build a new District High School.
The 47 acre site was purchased in April 1957. The building of the new school commenced in the summer of 1958; classes were held there in early January 1959 with 144 students and 8 teachers. From September 1957 until the new school was completed, students from the two continuation schools met together in the renovated South River Continuation School, as well as in some rooms in the red brick public school and in the local theatre.
In January 1966, realizing the need for increased educational facilities in the area, South River-Sundridge and Powassan District High School Boards united to form the East Parry Sound District School Board. Shortly thereafter, a major addition to the school was approved and construction began in November 1966. The doors to the new addition opened in 1967. The student enrolment increased from 230 in 1966-67 to 571 in September 1967, with the closing of the Argyle School and the addition of students for technical, commercial and occupational programs from the schools throughout the district. By September 1968, the school had reached its capacity of 750 students.
On December 4, 1968, the school was officially opened by the Honourable William G. Davis, Minister of Education and received its official name of Almaguin Highlands Secondary School. The Almaguin name combines letters from Algonquin Magnetawan and Sequin, the result of a contest several years earlier to identify this region and promote tourism. The school was situated in a highland area on the edge of an escarpment.
The Scottish names throughout the school highlighted the highland area. In order to create school spirit, the students were registered in clans. The corridors and specialty rooms were given Scottish names as well. Students and staff developed the school crest, the motto being “Animis Habere Sapientiam Studemus”, the first letter of each Latin word forming AHSS, the translation from Latin being “Our Aim and Purpose is Wisdom.”
In September 1969, the Powassan Continuation School became a senior elementary school and the students and staff were transferred to Almaguin. The enrolment rose to 1225 with a staff of 77. A further addition to the building was required. During the 1969-70 year a shift system was introduced and the school day extended to accommodate the large number of students.
In September 1970, the Burks Falls High School joined Almaguin. By the time, the new addition included a second gymnasium, cafeteria extension, a specialty lecture room, and open concept commercial and special education areas.
Almaguin became one of the first schools to introduce the credit system and, as well, it became a semestered school. In 1978, the school recorded its highest enrolment with 1397 students and a teaching staff of 84.
The 47 acre site was purchased in April 1957. The building of the new school commenced in the summer of 1958; classes were held there in early January 1959 with 144 students and 8 teachers. From September 1957 until the new school was completed, students from the two continuation schools met together in the renovated South River Continuation School, as well as in some rooms in the red brick public school and in the local theatre.
In January 1966, realizing the need for increased educational facilities in the area, South River-Sundridge and Powassan District High School Boards united to form the East Parry Sound District School Board. Shortly thereafter, a major addition to the school was approved and construction began in November 1966. The doors to the new addition opened in 1967. The student enrolment increased from 230 in 1966-67 to 571 in September 1967, with the closing of the Argyle School and the addition of students for technical, commercial and occupational programs from the schools throughout the district. By September 1968, the school had reached its capacity of 750 students.
On December 4, 1968, the school was officially opened by the Honourable William G. Davis, Minister of Education and received its official name of Almaguin Highlands Secondary School. The Almaguin name combines letters from Algonquin Magnetawan and Sequin, the result of a contest several years earlier to identify this region and promote tourism. The school was situated in a highland area on the edge of an escarpment.
The Scottish names throughout the school highlighted the highland area. In order to create school spirit, the students were registered in clans. The corridors and specialty rooms were given Scottish names as well. Students and staff developed the school crest, the motto being “Animis Habere Sapientiam Studemus”, the first letter of each Latin word forming AHSS, the translation from Latin being “Our Aim and Purpose is Wisdom.”
In September 1969, the Powassan Continuation School became a senior elementary school and the students and staff were transferred to Almaguin. The enrolment rose to 1225 with a staff of 77. A further addition to the building was required. During the 1969-70 year a shift system was introduced and the school day extended to accommodate the large number of students.
In September 1970, the Burks Falls High School joined Almaguin. By the time, the new addition included a second gymnasium, cafeteria extension, a specialty lecture room, and open concept commercial and special education areas.
Almaguin became one of the first schools to introduce the credit system and, as well, it became a semestered school. In 1978, the school recorded its highest enrolment with 1397 students and a teaching staff of 84.
Timeline
1950s
1956: The separate South River and Sundridge schools had been constructed during the early 1940s. In early 1956 a meeting was held to consider the creation of a new district area high school. It was attended by the members of both school boards and the High School Inspector. Later meetings included the members of council of Sundridge, South River and neighbouring townships along with the High School Inspector.
1957: South River Sundridge High School District purchases a 47 acre site located on Highway 11 between South River and Sundridge, Ontario.
1958: Construction is underway.
January 1959: The first students attend the new South River-Sundridge District High School with eight classrooms on the two floors with a gymnasium attached at the far end.
1960s
September 1965: John A. McDermott becomes principal and serves for 22 years.
1966: South River, Sundridge and Powassan District unite to form East Parry Sound High School Board.
There are four years of expansion with the student population growing from 230 to 1225 while teaching staff increasing from 17 to 77. The Scottish Highlander theme is created to foster school spirit and connect students across communities.
December 4, 1968: Official opening of Almaguin Highlands Secondary School by Minister of Education William G. Davis. The school receives its official name derived from a combination of the words 'Algonquin,' 'Magnetawan,' and 'Seguin.'
1969-1970 - During this last expansion, a split schedule has students from the south attending from 8 am to 1 pm, and students north of South River in the afternoon. Some grade 13 classes are held in the overlap.
1970s
1970: Burks Falls and area students join AHSS. The newly expanded AHSS includes the Dundee Gym, a larger cafeteria, music room, additional technical rooms, the Highlander Room with tiered seating, Robert Louis Stevenson open concept room for four classes, open concept commercial rooms and special education areas
1978: School records its highest enrolment with 1397 students and a teaching staff of 84.
1956: The separate South River and Sundridge schools had been constructed during the early 1940s. In early 1956 a meeting was held to consider the creation of a new district area high school. It was attended by the members of both school boards and the High School Inspector. Later meetings included the members of council of Sundridge, South River and neighbouring townships along with the High School Inspector.
1957: South River Sundridge High School District purchases a 47 acre site located on Highway 11 between South River and Sundridge, Ontario.
1958: Construction is underway.
January 1959: The first students attend the new South River-Sundridge District High School with eight classrooms on the two floors with a gymnasium attached at the far end.
1960s
September 1965: John A. McDermott becomes principal and serves for 22 years.
1966: South River, Sundridge and Powassan District unite to form East Parry Sound High School Board.
There are four years of expansion with the student population growing from 230 to 1225 while teaching staff increasing from 17 to 77. The Scottish Highlander theme is created to foster school spirit and connect students across communities.
December 4, 1968: Official opening of Almaguin Highlands Secondary School by Minister of Education William G. Davis. The school receives its official name derived from a combination of the words 'Algonquin,' 'Magnetawan,' and 'Seguin.'
1969-1970 - During this last expansion, a split schedule has students from the south attending from 8 am to 1 pm, and students north of South River in the afternoon. Some grade 13 classes are held in the overlap.
1970s
1970: Burks Falls and area students join AHSS. The newly expanded AHSS includes the Dundee Gym, a larger cafeteria, music room, additional technical rooms, the Highlander Room with tiered seating, Robert Louis Stevenson open concept room for four classes, open concept commercial rooms and special education areas
1978: School records its highest enrolment with 1397 students and a teaching staff of 84.
The Formal Opening of the School Building, December 4, 1968 (slideshow)
East Parry Sound Board of Education Members (December 1968): Ruth Crozier (Armour), Mrs. Vern Tebby (South River), Mrs. George Murray (Perry), D.J. Caswell (Sundridge), Fred Hinchberger (Arnstein), Leonard Giesler (South Himsworth), Lorne Conrad (Chisholm), Raymond Crosby (Nipissing), Ronald Alkins (North Himsworth), Harvey Raaflaub (Magnetawan), Robert Craven (North Himsworth), Ralph Miller (Joly), Interim Chair Max Paul (Powassan), Dr. M.A.Wittick (Burk's Falls), W.T. Adair (Kearney) (Photo published in the North Bay Nugget, December 10 1968)
Do you remember the
rooms at AHSS?
In Ontario in the late 1960s and early 1970s school buildings were built and enlarged and their architects were given the freedom to design innovative learning spaces to support the new teaching methods.
AHSS was designed with large group instruction rooms, open team teaching areas,
a multi-use commercial studies area and a complete, modern technical wing.
One of the first for their time, the Robbie Burns room and the Robert Louis Stevenson room were
designed for increased interaction between teachers and students.
AHSS was designed with large group instruction rooms, open team teaching areas,
a multi-use commercial studies area and a complete, modern technical wing.
One of the first for their time, the Robbie Burns room and the Robert Louis Stevenson room were
designed for increased interaction between teachers and students.
