Old Scona Academic High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Scona Academic |
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Old Scona Academic High School in Edmonton
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10523 84 Avenue NW
, Canada
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| Coordinates | 53°31′11″N 113°30′07″W / 53.51972°N 113.50194°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public Secondary School |
| Motto | Ever to Excel |
| Founded | 1976 |
| School board | Edmonton Public Schools |
| Superintendent | Ron Thompson |
| Area trustee | Nickela Anderson |
| Principal | Marnie White |
| Grades | 10–12 |
| Enrollment | 375 (2025-26) |
| Language | English |
| Area | Old Strathcona |
| Colour(s) | Maroon, Green, and Gold |
| Team name | Olympians |
Old Scona Academic, often called Old Scona or OSA, is an exciting public preparatory high school. It is located in the lively neighbourhood of Old Strathcona in Edmonton, Alberta. It is a small public secondary school designed for hard-working learners. The school serves roughly 360 to 380 teenagers in grades 10 through 12. Its official motto is Ever to Excel, which means always trying your absolute best.
Students love learning here because classes challenge their minds every single day. The building itself is full of Canadian history and wonderful architecture. Even though the school is small, its students achieve huge academic goals. Many graduates continue their studies at famous colleges and universities across the globe.
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Discovering the History of Old Scona Academic
The story of the building began long ago in the province of Alberta. Builders finished constructing the original school house back in the year 1908. It was first called Strathcona Collegiate Institute. At that time, it was one of the earliest high school buildings in Alberta. It served students who lived in the bustling City of Strathcona.
Big changes happened when Strathcona amalgamated with Edmonton in the year 1912. The school joined the Edmonton Public Schools system. The school board also renamed the building Strathcona High School in 1912. For two years, early classes for the University of Alberta met on the top floors. Older students climbed the stairs to study advanced university subjects every week.
Changes Through the Decades
The original Strathcona High School closed its doors in 1958. This happened because the new Strathcona High School opened in 1955. Another big school called Bonnie Doon High School also opened in 1958. After that, the old brick structure became a junior high school until the mid-1960s.
Later, the building welcomed college learners when MacEwan University started in 1971. In 1976, leaders decided to open a special academic high school here. That was the official birth of modern Old Scona Academic. Teachers welcomed talented students who loved books, science experiments, and creative writing. Since June 1980, the school has been an authorized International Baccalaureate World School.
Learning During Recent Times
Learning can happen anywhere, even when students must stay inside their houses. Old Scona students switched to online learning during health safety shutdowns. They proved their dedication by logging in to their classes each morning. The school achieved an impressive 92 percent attendance rate during this period. That was the highest attendance record in the entire school division.
What Makes the School Ranking So High?
Old Scona Academic is well-known across Canada for its incredible test scores. Many news magazines celebrate the amazing achievements of its students and teachers. In 2005, Maclean's Magazine named it the top academic high school in Canada. The friendly atmosphere encourages learners to work together on tough subjects.
Educational groups keep praising the school for its top marks. The Fraser Institute has ranked Old Scona as the best high school in Alberta. The newspaper called the Edmonton Sun also ranked the school at the very top. Students take great pride in keeping their school community kind and successful.
How Do Students Earn Admission to Old Scona?
Joining Old Scona is an exciting goal for many middle school learners. Every year, about 130 ninth-grade students get accepted into grade ten. Because so many boys and girls apply, the school uses clear rules. Teachers look at several parts of an applicant's academic record.
- Special Entrance Exam: A challenging test counts for 45 percent of the total score.
- Grade Nine Marks: School grades in core subjects make up another 45 percent.
- Character Reference: A helpful letter from a junior high counsellor counts for 10 percent.
The grade average includes four main subjects from regular middle school classes. These subjects are mathematics, social studies, general science, and English language arts. Teachers look for hardworking pupils who show kindness, curiosity, and honesty.
Exploring Programs of Study and Diploma Choices
Students follow the regular provincial curriculum while exploring advanced international studies. Every tenth-grade student starts in an introductory preparatory program. Learners discover advanced study habits, critical thinking tools, and fast reading methods. During the spring term, students choose how they will finish high school.
The Famous International Baccalaureate Program
Old Scona offers the challenging International Baccalaureate Diploma Program to interested students. Learners can choose between a full diploma or a partial diploma. Around fifty courageous learners pick the full program every single school year. Most other students select specific higher-level courses that match their favourite subjects.
Higher Level course options include English language, European history, biology, and physics. Other subjects like mathematics, chemistry, computer science, and French run at standard level. Students who pursue the complete international diploma must study six separate subject areas:
- Group 1: Advanced English literature and writing skills.
- Group 2: Second language studies featuring conversational French.
- Group 3: Individuals and societies focusing on modern history.
- Group 4: Experimental sciences like biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Group 5: Mathematics covering algebra, geometry, and numbers.
- Group 6: Visual arts, creative music, and dramatic theatre.
Extra Projects for the Full Diploma
Students working toward the complete diploma must complete three unique learning tasks. First, they take a special philosophy course called Theory of knowledge. This course helps teens understand how human beings discover true facts. Second, each candidate writes a long research paper called an extended essay.
Third, students complete creative projects and volunteer work in their local towns. This special volunteer commitment is known to educators as the CAS project. Students help at animal shelters, plant community gardens, and coach younger kids. These extra activities help students grow into caring, well-rounded community helpers.
Electives and Exciting Options
OSA also provides fun option classes to give students a balanced school day. Even with a small building, students pick from many creative clubs and courses. These choices give young people a chance to express their artistic talents:
- Band and instrumental music classes.
- Speech, debate, and public speaking clubs.
- Dramatic acting and stage production.
- Drawing, painting, and studio art.
- Computer programming, software design, and digital cyber security.
Inside the Famous Historic School Building
The grand school building looks like a castle made of dark bricks. A skilled architect named Roland Lines drew the original plans for the building. A famous leader named Alexander Rutherford laid the building's cornerstone in 1907. He was the very first provincial premier and education minister of Alberta.
The official opening party took place on 17 February 1909. Alberta's Lieutenant-Governor, named George Bulyea, gave a speech to open the doors. People were amazed by the modern building, which had an automatic heating system. Architects classify the beautiful style as Edwardian Classical Free design. This style blended classic Victorian era details with sensible, clean brick walls.
Caring for an Architectural Treasure
Workers have repaired the building carefully over the years to keep it strong. A major restoration project took place inside and outside the school in 1997. Workers added modern computer labs, wireless internet, and bright classroom projectors. Yet, engineers took great care to protect the antique wooden doors and windows.
Antique metal fire escapes still hang on the exterior walls for historical display. Old mechanical parts from long ago are preserved in the Provincial Archives of Alberta. In September 2008, the province declared the school a registered historic resource. This legal protection ensures that builders cannot destroy the classic appearance of the walls.
Inspiring Leaders and Notable Alumni
Many students who walked these halls grew up to do extraordinary things. They became famous scientists, politicians, writers, and community leaders around the world. Learning at Old Scona helped them practice hard work, clear thinking, and creativity:
- Clarence Campbell served as an important leader of the National Hockey League.
- Chrystia Freeland worked as an international journalist and became Deputy Prime Minister of Canada.
- Garnett Genuis was elected to serve as a member of parliament.
- Heather McPherson works in parliament representing Edmonton Strathcona.
- Ray Muzyka helped build successful video games as a co-founder of BioWare.
- William Smith Ziegler served courageously as a military brigadier during World War II.
- Ritu Khullar studied the law and became the Chief Justice of Alberta.
These remarkable alumni prove that small schools can build giant dreams for children. Old Scona continues to guide curious students toward exciting adventures in higher education.
