About

School mission statement

Actively preparing today’s learners for tomorrow’s challenges by promoting academic excellence, providing positive social and cultural experiences, and fostering an attitude of consideration and respect.

School history

A school for all seasons

The very first school in Huntsville was established in the home of Captain George Hunt on John Street. As the population increased, a schoolhouse was built near the present day location of Fairvern, where there was one female teacher and a headmaster. Soon the attendance increased to the point that only those that got to school early enough in the morning got seats!

A decision to build a two-storey frame school was reached in January 1887. The total cost was $1,600 and the building was located on the corner of Caroline Street where the library and rooms 206, 201, and 207 are presently situated. This school had six classrooms, a dug well, and outhouses. Eventually, this school was closed but used as Huntsville’s first museum.

In 1904, a large three-storey brick structure was built on the opposite end of the school grounds. It was both an elementary and high school. Mr. A.C. Bernath was principal of Huntsville Public School (HPS) from 1900 until 1937. His duties included the “West End” school that opened shortly before 1900, as well.

In 1950, a separate high school was built on Brunel Road and the old town school remained an elementary school. Because of deteriorating conditions and overcrowding, the present HPS was constructed in 1967 under the principalship of Mr. Jack Laycock.

During the 1970’s HPS had a population of 650 students, a full-time principal and vice-principal, plus 30 teachers. It is interesting to note that all students walked to school and the school was closed from noon to 1:20 p.m. for lunch. Everyone went home.

Those were the days when decisions regarding the students and staff were made entirely by the principal. Should Mr. Laycock feel that January or June temperatures were making classrooms unbearable, then students were sent home! The same was true about cold or bad weather days in the winter. Another policy allowed a hardworking class to be rewarded by dismissing them a half hour early at the day’s end. How times have changed!

History by Marjory Earl, former HPS staff.