Sydney Academy (often abbreviated as SA and once often referred to as "The Academy") is one of two main secondary schools, along with Riverview Rural High School, that service the city of Sydney, Nova Scotia. Its current building, at 49 Terrace Street, is an educational facility opened in 1959, and is the sixth building to house the school. It is the oldest school in the Sydney area, and once was a private school near the end of the 19th century. The Academy is the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's (CBRM) only school to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which began in the summer of 1987.
Sydney Academy High School covers grades 9 to 12. It offers an unofficial preparatory program for the IB in grades 9 and 10, with full IB courses available to students in grades 11 and 12. The school offers co-ed classes in all grades. It is estimated that in its first 150 years, Sydney Academy graduated over 25,000 students. In recent years, the school has experienced a lag in numbers, as graduates emigrate and families from Cape Breton move to other parts of Canada in search of employment.
The 2015–2016 school year introduced grades 9-12, as per changes to the middle school model implemented by the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School board.
Contents
History
Buildings
In 1835, an act was passed by the General Assembly of Nova Scotia authorizing the Lieutenant Governor to appoint trustees and to make a grant of land for school purposes in Sydney. In a grant dated 25 October 1836, land located north by DesBarres Street, south by Amelia Street, east by George Street, and west by Charlotte Street was designated for the new Sydney Academy.
The two-storey school was opened on 1 July 1841, with Rev. O.S. Weeks as the first Headmaster. Campbell Street was opened up at that time through the property and the portion not required for school purposes was divided into lots. Some of the lots were sold to provide funds to pay for the new building, which cost $2800.
The original building, a tiny schoolhouse, eventually ceased to be used as a school and was turned into a dwelling. Later, a part of this building was moved to 78 George Street, where it still stands with alterations.
Demand for a new building was met in 1864, when the new Education Act provided for the construction of a new school. The Sydney Board selected a site on Pitt Street, where the present telephone office now stands. This building was officially opened on 1 May 1866 and cost $3600. It was used until 1882, at which time larger accommodations for educational work were needed. The second Sydney Academy building was destroyed by fire in 1901.
In 1882, a new eight-room building was erected on the corner of George and Dorchester Streets at a cost of $6000. It was architecturally one of the finest wooden buildings for its purpose in the province. The grounds, containing about three acres, were divided into separate areas for boys and girls.
Due to the influx of people arriving in Sydney to work at the Steel Plant, a new Academy was built in 1901 to accommodate an increasing number of students. This three-story brick and stone building was located next to the previous Academy and contained modern facilities such as a chemical and physical laboratory as well as an assembly hall capable of seating up to 500 people. The $30,000 building later became Central School. It currently houses senior administration of the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board.
Timeline
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In 1884, the Sydney Academy Debating Society was formed. It continues to gain much recognition for the success of its debaters today.
In 1888, the Academy yearbook was established and was given the name "The Record".
In 1891, the first Burchell Gold Medal was awarded to the top senior student. This medal is still awarded today and is one of the oldest continuing prizes for high school students in Canada.
In 1892, the Academy's first Model Parliament was formed, under the direction of E.T. Mosley.
In 1900, music and painting were added to the school's curriculum.
In 1912, the Sydney Academy hockey club defeated Glace Bay High School, 5–0, on a game played on the frozen Glace Bay harbour. The hockey club went on to win the Cape Breton High School Championship in 1923.
In 1922, the Governor-General's Medal was awarded to the top student in the graduating class for the first time at Sydney Academy.
In 1935, Dr. George Graham Campbell became the principal. Serving from 1935 to 1968, he was the longest-serving principal of Sydney Academy. Under his leadership, Sydney Academy became one of the most outstanding high schools in the Atlantic region.
In 1932, Sydney Academy began to educate senior high students only.
In 1934, three boys from the track team were chosen to compete in the British Empire Trials in Hamilton, Ontario as part of the Maritime Track Team. They traveled there on one of the Dosco coal boats that was headed for Montreal.
Tributes
Anthem
The official Sydney Academy anthem was written by Robert Angel and Leon Dubinsky, members of the 1960 graduating class. It is titled "All Hail Sydney Academy".
Ode
In 1937, famed Canadian author Hugh MacLennan wrote "Ode to the Academy" which is about the school.
Alumni
Sydney Academy has an alumni association, with the oldest member having graduated in 1939. Alumni occasionally gather to mark significant class reunions.
Notable alumni
Sir John George Bourinot was Clerk of The House of Commons from 1880 to 1902 and author of "Bourinot's Rules of Order" which is still used in Canada and other Commonwealth Countries as the Standard Parliamentary Manuel. Graduated from SA in 1854.
John Buchanan served as premier of Nova Scotia from 1978 to 1990. Graduated from SA in 1948.
Nathan Cohen renowned Toronto Star theatre critic, and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio/TV host. Graduated from SA in 1938.
Kevin Lynch was Clerk of the Privy Council of Canada from 2006 to 2009 and is now vice chairman of the BMO Financial Group. Graduated from SA in 1969.
Frankie MacDonald is a popular YouTuber with a large social media presence, having amassed nearly 500 thousand followers on Instagram and YouTube combined. Graduated from SA in 2004.
Dr. Arthur McDonald, 2015 Nobel prize winner in physics and professor emeritus at Queen's University in Kingston. Founder of and former director of Sudbury Neutrino Observatory in Sudbury, Ontario. Graduated from SA in 1960.
Guy Robertson McLean served as president of Mount Allison University from 1980 to 1986. Graduated from SA in 1948.