Alexander Mackenzie High School

Last updated
Alexander Mackenzie High School
Alexander Mackenzie High School.jpg
Location
Alexander Mackenzie High School
300 Major Mackenzie Dr. W.

Richmond Hill
,
Ontario
,
L4C 3S3

Canada
Coordinates 43°52′12″N79°26′50″W / 43.87000°N 79.44722°W / 43.87000; -79.44722
Information
Former nameDon Head Secondary School (1969–1992)
School type High school
Religious affiliation(s)Secular
Founded1969
School board York Region District School Board
SuperintendentLois Agard [1]
Area trusteeSimon Cui [1]
Grades 9 to 12
Enrolment1259 [2]  (October 2018)
LanguageEnglish
Colour(s)   Blue & Yellow
Team nameMustangs
Website www.yrdsb.ca/schools/alexandermackenzie.hs/Pages/default.aspx
Last updated: July 2022

Alexander Mackenzie High School (AMHS), formerly known as Don Head Secondary School is a public secondary school with classes for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. The school opened in 1969 as Don Head Secondary School and was renamed Alexander Mackenzie High School in 1992, in honour of Major Addison Alexander Mackenzie, a Richmond Hill resident and philanthropist.

Contents

It was announced in October 2008 that AMHS will join Huron Heights S.S., Unionville High School, and Westmount Collegiate as one of the four high schools in York Region to offer a specialized arts program. This program is known as ARTS Mackenzie and encompasses dance, theatre arts, music and visual arts.

In 2017, AMHS, along with G.W. Williams SS, Maple HS, Miliken Mills HS, joined Bayview SS as the board's IB Diploma Programme schools.

History

The original school building was built in 1969. Due to a construction strike, [3] the initial building opening was delayed until January 5, 1970, [4] at which time there were 450 students. [5] Initially, starting in September 1969, classes were held in the existing Richmond Hill High School. [6] [7] When the school opened in 1969, some vocational courses were transferred from Stouffville District Secondary School. [8]

In 1992 a new wing was added in order to accommodate both the increase in student population and the change in school program. A second addition of 10 classrooms opened in the spring of 2002. The school has two gyms, one larger than the other. The school also has three music rooms, one for vocals, one for strings, and another for band.

In 2003, the Town of Richmond Hill contributed 10 "Character Matters" signs to the school as part of an initiative that encourages young adults to become more involved in their community. This event featured guest speaker Wendel Clark, the former Toronto Maple Leafs Captain. [9]

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Pages - School Information". www.yrdsb.ca. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  2. ↑ "York Region District School Board - Monthly Enrolment Report" (PDF). York Region District School Board. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  3. ↑ "Construction at a standstill at Don Head School". The Liberal . Vol. 92, no. 6. Richmond Hill, Ontario. August 7, 1969. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "Don Head secondary school to open Jan. 5". The Tribune . Vol. 81, no. 31. Stouffville, Ontario. p. 11. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Don Head Secondary School". The Liberal . Vol. 92, no. 29. Richmond Hill, Ontario. January 15, 1970. p. 10. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Richmond Hill High School on Shifts - Don Head Still Far From Completion". The Liberal . Vol. 92, no. 9. Richmond Hill, Ontario. August 28, 1969. p. 1. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "Notice to students of Richmond Hill High School and Don Head Secondary School". The Liberal . Vol. 92, no. 9. Richmond Hill, Ontario. August 28, 1969. p. 3. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Board to cancel vocational course at high school". The Tribune . Vol. 80, no. 40. Stouffville, Ontario. p. 1. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "AMHS Character Signs". Town of Richmond Hill. Archived from the original on June 22, 2007. Retrieved 2003-02-07.
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