Description Historic School On the Hill Celebrating 160th Birthday

Pictou Academy , Known as the school on the hill, is celbrating its 160th birthday this year. It is one of the Oldest institutions for secondary education in Canada and was Founded in 1816 by Dr. Thomas McCulloch . 

Beginning as a private sectarian institution, it has since become a public school within the Nova Scotia school system . The Academy has a Long and illustrious history and many notable graduates.

Durning the past few years , there have been so many changes in the high school program that it has become necessary to completely revise the structure at PA so that the students at this school will be able to take full advantage of these many innovations. 

At one time , not so many years ago, there were only about 20 courses offered at the Academy . At the present time 42 different courses are offered. 

In order to make it possible for students to have realistic choice of courses it had become necessary to re-structre the time- table and modify to some extent the school day .

The Pictou Acadmey Education Foundation (PAEF) is a group of former graduates and others who are interested in the welfare of the school. This group administers a large sum of money from endowments willed to the foundation to be used for the benefit of the school. The foundation assists PA students by ways of Scholarships, grants for extra- cirricular activities at the Academy. 

In choosing a Program PA offers students a wide range of subjects in order that he or she may acquire sufficient background to pursue virtually any career beyond high school. 

It is important for the student investigate the entrance requirements of his chosen objective so that his choice of courses will be compatible with his goals. 

Students are encuraged to consult with their parents and with teachers of their choice in order to determine their interests, objectives, and avenues to their ultimate goal. 

REGISTRATION

Students Register for at least five subjects unless permission is granted to take less, it is strongly recommended that students obtain as many credits as possible in their high school years. 

Registration is held at the termination of the school year and no pupil will be registered in the next level of continuation subject unless he has a pass in the pre-requisite subject at the time of registration. 

A student who has failed a subject may: (a) register to repeat the subject, (b) register to change level or (c) select an alternate subject for which he has the pre-requisite.

Unless a student has been successful in five subjects in a given year, he or she may not normally be allowed to register for six or more subjects the following year. 

Students of ability therefore leave, high school with more that the minimum 15 subjects credits having been given permission to register for more than five subjects .

To be Eligible to enrol in advanced level university preparatory courses students must have above average motivation, have special inteest in the subject, and have maintained a high academic standard.

The Consent of the instructor after interview with the student is required, students who are accepted for these courses are expected to continue in the course for the entire year. 

The courses at Pictou Academy are distinguished from each other according to a numbering system. 

To quilify for a high school leaving certificate , a student is required to complete a minimum of 15 subjects.

To be eligible for a PA graduation certificate a student must complete five courses at the third year level. A high School leavinf certificate and a PA Graduation certifitcate are not the same thing , the requirements for each are different. 

Testing procedures and methods of evaluation vary with individual techers and courses.

Each year prozes and awards are available to PA Students and graduates .Most are given annually but values and requirements may vary from year to year. 

PA has general regulations set down for attendance, unassigned periods, late, absent from a test or exam, smoking, cafeteria, school functions, fire drills, replacement of lost books, announcement period , and extra curricular activities.

The present teaching staff at Pictou Academy are:

Principal Stan McNeil, Other Teachers, Jessie Johnson, Dolores MacGillivary, Ann Young , Eleanor Fraser , Jean Guy Fortin, Alex Hardy, Ken MacLean, Jerry Coulombe, Ron Mason, Elwin Hemphill, Alan Jankoy.