SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON — The newest high school in northwestern Ontario opened its doors to students this week in Sioux Lookout.
Sioux North High School, built at a cost of $30 million, replaces Queen Elizabeth District High School.
It has room for more than 500 students and contains 23 classrooms.
The school also accommodates some partners including Confederation College and FIREFLY, a multi-service, non-profit organization providing a range of services for children, youth, and families.
The Keewatin Patricia District School Board operates Sioux North HS.
Director of Education Sean Monteith said that, from the start, the project represented more than constructing a new building.
"It has always been about bringing equity and access to all students from Sioux Lookout, and all of the North," he said.
Principal Wayne Mercer described the official start of classes as a long-awaited day to remember. "Watching our students enter their new building and explore the hallways was a moment in time that is hard to put into words."
According to the school board, features of the building include:
- large windows and glass features creating natural light and open areas
- a sizeable multi-purpose cafeteria/auditorium with full dramatic arts capabilities including telescopic seating, integrated lighting and an elevated stage
- state-of-the-art equipment for shop classes, science labs, communication labs and food & nutrition programs
- a large, bright library with a wall of windows including a variety of seating options and work stations
- a gym with a hardwood floor and large windows that fill it with natural light
- a music room with skylights and all-new instruments to support the music program
The school's name was chosen at the suggestion of students on a naming committee.
