Sydney Academy

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.

Mission statement
The Sydney Academy Mission Statement is as follows:"Sydney Academy aims to develop independent, knowledgeable, well-rounded young people who are risk takers, problem solvers, and are actively engaged in helping to solve local and global problems in a creative and critical manner. To this end, Sydney Academy fosters a challenging environment in which students are actively engaged in rich educational experiences which encourage them to conduct themselves in a principled, compassionate manner that is respectful and open to other possibilities and perspectives."

The first building
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 October 25, 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 July 1, 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.

The second building
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 May 1, 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.

The third building
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.

The fourth building
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.

The fifth building
Overcrowding soon resulted in the need for yet another larger building. So, a fifth building was built in 1911 for $53,000 at the corner of Terrace and Park streets. This building later became known as "the Old Academy" and eventually became Park Junior High.

The sixth building
The present-day steel and glass Sydney Academy was built at 49 Terrace Street and was officially opened on September 8, 1959. The school was experiencing an exponential growth that came from the coal mining boom in Cape Breton. At the time of opening, the gymnasium of the new school was said to be the best in the Maritimes with a seating capacity of 2400. The cost of this building was $1,250,000. A major addition was made to the building in 1968, with sixteen classrooms being added to accommodate the business students. This section is still referred to as the "new wing" today.

1800s
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.

1910s–1920s
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.

1930s
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.

In 1935, the Glee Club was formed.

In 1937, a representative of Sydney Academy was selected to attend the coronation of King George VI in London, England.

1940s
On December 23, 1942, the Academy Rink opened its doors to students and the public for the first time.

In 1947, a Guidance Counsellor was appointed for Sydney Schools for the first time. He was Don MacAdam.

In 1950, the boys' basketball team won their 6th consecutive Maritime Juvenile Championship, under Pat Paterson and Joseph Chiasson.

1950s
In 1959, the first Head Boy and Head Girl from the senior class were elected by the student body. This tradition continues today.

1960s
In 1963, the Academy Soccer team played a game with the crew members of the German freighter Klaus Leonhardt. The German team presented an autographed picture of the ship to the school.

In 1968, the girls' basketball team won the provincial title for the first time.

1970s
In 1971, the Academy Debating team tied for first place at the Canadian High School Championship held at McGill University.

In 1972, Sydney Academy its largest class ever with 394 graduates.

In 1974, a record enrollment occurred as a total of 1,517 students registered for classes at the Academy.

Also, in 1974, the first G. G. Campbell Memorial Medal was awarded to a male and female student of the senior graduating class.

In 1976, the first Shauna MacFadyen Memorial Award was awarded to a senior student of the graduating class.

In 1979, the boys' hockey club won the Cape Breton Metros National Invitational Hockey Tournament for the seventh time in eight years.

1980s–1990s
In September 1985, Sydney Academy's first modern Canadian football team was established, playing its first game against its rival, Riverview High School at the Membertou field. Only one year after being formed, the football team won first place in the Gallivan Bowl.

In 1987, male cheerleading began.

In January 1987, Sydney Academy became only the second public school in this province to be accredited as an IB school by the International Baccalaureate Organization of Geneva, Switzerland.

In 1989, Sydney Academy graduated its first French Immersion class.

In 1991, Sydney Academy celebrated 150 years by holding an all-years reunion.

During the 1998–1999 school year, the Academy debating team won first place in three different tournaments: the Canadian High School Championship held at McGill University, the Queens University High School Nationals, and the Nova Scotia Provincial Championships. The team also took home the prize for top speaker in the latter two tournaments.

2000s
In 2011, the debating team also placed first in the Provincial Debating Championships.

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". (Verse) All hail, Sydney Academy The pride and joy of C.B. All hail, Sydney Academy For education and fraternity. All hail, Sydney Academy The cherished and beloved, Its history always seems to be An inspiration to us all, And its destiny will go on to see Our answer to its call. (Chorus) Beloved Alma Mater Whose past we hold so dear; We'll cherish it in years to come Its memory sharp and clear. (repeat 1st verse)

Ode
In 1937, famed Canadian author Hugh MacLennan wrote "Ode to the Academy" which is about the school. On Park Street did Minvera's Knights A temple to her fame decree Where half a thousand souls so wild Made Satan's angel's works seem mild..., They reared Academy. So thirteen rooms, ne'er looking sound With walls of brick were girded round. There was the Lab, which sends forth odors queer And here, the scene of dances gay and free A place that every student's heart holds dear This blessed school, our own Academy.

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.