View source for Almaguin Highlands Secondary School

{{Infobox school
| name = Almaguin Highlands Secondary School
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| motto = This is Why We're Awesome
| location =
| country = Canada
| coordinates = {{coord|45.8186|-79.3692|type:edu_region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
| established = {{Start date|1959|df=yes}}
| closed =
| type =
| grades = 9-12
| superintendent =
| principal = Sue Fawcett
| enrollment = 550
| faculty =
| campus_type =
| campus_size =
| team_name = Highlanders
| newspaper = Almaguin Highlights
| colors = dark green, black, & gold {{colorbox|#006600}}{{colorbox|#000000}}{{colorbox|#FFD700}}
| communities =
| website = {{URL|www.nearnorthschools.ca/almaguin/}}
| footnotes =
| streetaddress = 21 Mountainview Road
| city = South River (Strong)
| province = Ontario
| schooltype = Public English Secondary School
| schoolboard = Near North District School Board
| postcode = P0A 1X0
| schedule = 2 Semester, Daily Period Tumble
| average_class_size = 15-30
| feeder_schools =
| athletics =
| hours_in_day = 8:45-3:00
| medium_of_language = English
| mascot = Highlander
}}
'''Almaguin Highlands Secondary School'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/almaguin/|title=Almaguin Highlands Secondary School – Highlanders|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref> (AHSS) is an English [[State school|public]] [[high school]] located in [[Strong, Ontario]] between the towns of [[South River, Ontario]] and [[Sundridge, Ontario]]. The school is part of the [[Near North District School Board]] and is responsible for the education of students in grades 9–12 in the east side of the [[Parry Sound District]] (also known as the "[[Almaguin Highlands]]"), the school serves 19 small communities and townships.
Students and Athletes at AHSS are known as Highlanders, the schools colours are [[dark green]], [[black]], & [[gold (color)|gold]].
Almaguin Highlands Secondary School was founded in 1959, the new and currently used school building was founded in September 2011.
== History ==
=== The Old School ===
[[File:Old ahss.png|thumbnail|right|The Old AHSS, July 2012]]
AHSS (known then as Sundridge-South River Secondary School) was originally built to replace Sundridge High School, Sundridge and South River High School, South River. In the early 1960s the building underwent a giant expansion (bigger addition then the size of the original school) to become Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, this new school also eliminated the need of Burk's Falls High School, [[Burk's Falls, Ontario|Burk's Falls]] and Powassan High School, [[Powassan, Ontario|Powassan]]. This new school had a reach from [[Nipissing, Ontario|Nipissing]] in the north to [[Magnetawan, Ontario|Magnetawan]] in the West and [[Novar, Ontario|Novar]] in the south, including all area between.
===The New School ===
In the mid 2000s (Around the school's 50th Anniversary) planning for a replacement high school for the area arose. This was cause to the old school having problems with [[asbestos]] as well as the building becoming dated with many repairs and upgrades needed. With the help of a government grant the new building began construction in early 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nugget.ca/2009/05/16/hundreds-reminisce-at-almaguin-highlands-secondary-school-this-weekend|title=Hundreds reminisce at Almaguin Highlands Second...|last=nurun.com|website=North Bay Nugget|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073320/http://www.nugget.ca/2009/05/16/hundreds-reminisce-at-almaguin-highlands-secondary-school-this-weekend|archive-date=2018-02-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The new school was finished construction in September 2011,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/almaguin-highlands-secondary-school-now-open-for-business-33365|title=Almaguin Highlands Secondary School now open for business|work=BayToday.ca|access-date=2018-02-13|language=en}}</ref> causing students to be delayed by one week starting the new school year. The new school is significantly smaller in size then the old school was (New buildings capacity around 850 where the old school could hold 2000+) When it opened the school was missing bleachers in the gym, slide out auditorium seats in the cafetorium (a combination room of the cafeteria and an auditorium), a soccer field, a running track, track & field jumping pits, and only a plywood deck on the stage. During the 2011–2012 school year fundraising allowed the building of the bleachers and auditorium seats. Due to having no field students during gym classes, home soccer games, and track & field still took place at the old school, leaving the students to be bused over to the old site. During the 2014–2015 school year the soccer field was constructed, ready for use in fall 2015. Over the 2015 summer break the stage deck was also replaced to proper decking. As of right now the school is still lacking a functioning running track and jumping pits, but students are no longer bused to the old school.
== Feeder Schools ==
AHSS is fed by the following feeder schools:
=== Full Feeder Schools ===
* Argyle Public School (K-8), [[Loring, Port Loring and District, Ontario|Port Loring]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/argyle/|title=Argyle Public School –|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
* Evergreen Heights Education Centre (K-8), [[Emsdale, Ontario|Emsdale]] [[Perry, Ontario|(Perry]]) <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/evergreen-heights/|title=Evergreen Heights Education Centre –|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
* Land of Lakes Public School (K-8, 5-8 Extended French), Burk's Falls <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/land-of-lakes/|title=Land of Lakes –|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
* Magnetawan Central School (K-8), Magnetawan <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/magnetawan/|title=Magnetawan Central School –|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
* Mapleridge Public School (K-8), Powassan <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/mapleridge/|title=Mapleridge Public School – Mustangs|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
* South River Public School (K-8), South River <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/south-river/|title=South River Public School – Storm|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
* South Shore Education Centre (K-8), Nipissing <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/south-shore/|title=South Shore Public School – Stingers|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
* Sundridge Centennial Public School (K-8), Sundridge <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/sundridge-centennial/|title=Sundridge Centennial Public School – Huskies|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
== Athletics ==
AHSS is a part of the [[Muskoka-Parry Sound High School Athletics|Muskoka-Parry Sound]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mpsathletics.ca/|title=MPS Athletics – Muskoka-Parry Sound|website=www.mpsathletics.ca|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>(MPS) & [[Georgian Bay]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gbssa.smcdsb.on.ca/|title=GBSSA|website=gbssa.smcdsb.on.ca|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref> (GBSSA) athletic areas.
=== Fall Sports ===
* Junior Boys [[Association football|Soccer]]
* Senior Boys Soccer
* Junior Boys [[Volleyball]]
* Senior Boys Volleyball
* Midget Boys [[Cross country running|Cross Country]]
* Junior Boys Cross Country
* Senior Boys Cross Country
* Junior Girls [[Basketball]]
* Senior Girls Basketball
* Midget Girls Cross Country
* Junior Girls Cross Country
* Senior Girls Cross Country
=== Winter Sports ===
* Junior Boys Basketball
* Senior Boys Basketball
* Midget Boys [[Nordic skiing|Nordic Skiing]]
* Junior Boys Nordic Skiing
* Senior Boys Nordic Skiing
* Varsity Boys [[Ice hockey|Ice Hockey]]
* Midget Girls Volleyball
* Junior Girls Volleyball
* Senior Girls Volleyball
* Midget Girls Nordic Skiing
* Junior Girls Nordic Skiing
* Senior Girls Nordic Skiing
* Varsity Girls Ice Hockey
=== Spring Sports ===
* Varsity Girls Soccer
* Co-Ed [[Track and field|Track & Field]]
* Co-Ed [[Badminton]]
== Arts ==
=== Drama ===
AHSS offers drama programming in grades 9 through 12. It also offers advanced drama programing, as 'Play Production' courses at the 11th and 12th grade.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Course Calendar|url=https://www.careercruising.com/individual/CP_CourseCalendar.aspx?SID=11044&DID=2421|website=www.careercruising.com|access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref>
The AHSS  Drama club, known as Tartan Theatre, produces 2-3 plays each school year, and participates in the National Theatre School{{Clarify|date=February 2019}} Ontario Drama Festival (formerly Sears Ontario Drama Festival). It is part of the Nipissing District and Northern Region. Tartan Theatre has had multiple plays advance to the Provincial Showcase, most recently with ''Elephant's Graveyard'' in 2015. Other productions as part of provincial showcases include ''Lessons of Childhood'' (2013), ''Women of Troy'' (2010), ''Moon People'' (2003), and ''Salt Water Moon'' (1999).
In 2016 Tartan Theatre was selected to take part in the Southern Ontario Youth Theatre Festival (now Ontario Youth Theatre Festival) with ''The Comedian.''
== Academics ==
=== Extended French Program ===
AHSS offers an Extended French Certificate Program where students can take intensive courses on the French language as well as content courses offered in French. Students in the program will graduate with an Extended French Certificate on their OSSD. It is not a bilingualism certification, but starting in 2017 students in their fourth year of the program can take the [[Diplôme d'études en langue française|DELF]] French Language Test.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Extended French|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/almaguin/extended-french/|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref>
=== Specialist High Skills Majors ===
AHSS offers three Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSMs) which students can apply for in the tenth grade. They are Environment - Outdoor Education,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Environment-Outdoor Ed|url=https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/almaguin/environment-outdoor-ed/|website=www.nearnorthschools.ca|access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref> Design and Technology,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Design and Technology SHSM|url=https://nearnorthschools-my.sharepoint.com/personal/trevor_hingley_nearnorthschools_ca/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Ftrevor%5Fhingley%5Fnearnorthschools%5Fca%2FDocuments%2FDesign%20and%20Technology%20SHSM%20Brochure%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Ftrevor%5Fhingley%5Fnearnorthschools%5Fca%2FDocuments&originalPath=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZWFybm9ydGhzY2hvb2xzLW15LnNoYXJlcG9pbnQuY29tLzpiOi9nL3BlcnNvbmFsL3RyZXZvcl9oaW5nbGV5X25lYXJub3J0aHNjaG9vbHNfY2EvRVdUem41WG9jUFpPdXhLdG0yWTEybWNCTElLLXpoNFZ6TEVveWR0bk95LThUZz9ydGltZT1nWlkzWjBuXzEwZw|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}</ref> and Health and Wellness.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Health and Wellness SHSM|url=https://nearnorthschools-my.sharepoint.com/personal/trevor_hingley_nearnorthschools_ca/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Ftrevor%5Fhingley%5Fnearnorthschools%5Fca%2FDocuments%2FHealth%20and%20Wellness%20SHSM%20Brochure%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Ftrevor%5Fhingley%5Fnearnorthschools%5Fca%2FDocuments&originalPath=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZWFybm9ydGhzY2hvb2xzLW15LnNoYXJlcG9pbnQuY29tLzpiOi9nL3BlcnNvbmFsL3RyZXZvcl9oaW5nbGV5X25lYXJub3J0aHNjaG9vbHNfY2EvRWZtOExFR25EcmxJbzNsR3cwWmtQZ1VCNFBBY3Z2dXE2QkxkM3RCZEhOUVo0Zz9ydGltZT12TXNpajBuXzEwZw|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}</ref>
=== Dual Credits and Apprenticeships ===
AHSS offers many Dual Credits and Apprenticeships programs<ref>{{Cite web|title=Course Calendar|url=https://www.careercruising.com/individual/CP_CourseCalendar.aspx?SID=11044&DID=9101|website=www.careercruising.com|access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref> through [[Canadore College]] in which students can earn credits towards their OSSD and a college degree, diploma, or certificate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Course Calendar|url=https://www.careercruising.com/individual/CP_CourseCalendar.aspx?SID=11044&CSID=595|website=www.careercruising.com|access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref> Typically, the dual credits program is paired with the COOP program.
== Notable alumni ==
* [[Peter Camani]], artist and sculptor, retired art teacher, art is featured in the Vatican and Buckingham Palace. His creations, such as the Screaming Heads and Midlothian Castle & Gallery have been featured on many television shows.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Almaguin Highlands Information Centre|url=http://almaguin.on.ca/screaming-heads-midlothian-castle-gallery#About|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113161719/http://almaguin.on.ca/screaming-heads-midlothian-castle-gallery#About|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-11-13|date=2013-11-13|access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref>
* [[Hawksley Workman]], rock singer-songwriter.
== See also ==
* [[Education in Ontario]]
* [[List of secondary schools in Ontario]]
==References==
<references />
[[Category:High schools in Ontario]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1959]]
[[Category:1959 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Parry Sound District]]