The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is "re-envisioning the space" at Sarnia's Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School (AMSS) and making it a Technological Education Hub for students in grades 10 through 12 this September.
Superintendent of Secondary Programs and Student Success Mary Mancini said specialized, hands-on learning opportunities will be offered in a variety of high-demand sectors.
"AMSS has some amazing technological education facilities, particularly in the area of culinary arts, horticulture and landscaping, aesthetics and hairstyling, as well as a couple of others," said Mancini. "So, we wanted to take advantage of those spaces to meet a need within our district."
There will also be opportunities to learn skills in construction, health and wellness, hospitality and transportation.
As of September 2024, a grade 9 or 10 Technological Education credit must be earned to receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
The Ontario government said the curriculum will open doors to jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and the skilled trades.
"We have found in the last few years that -- in some of our other schools -- we have not been able to meet the need for technological education courses. So, there are more course requests than we have space available in some of our other facilities," Mancini said.
"We are also going to be offering compulsory courses in grades 10, 11, and 12. So, that would be math, English, science, history, civics and careers. We would also be offering them elective courses so they are able to meet all of the requirements of an OSSD."
Students attending AMSS in the past have required individual education plans, as many required specialized programming for learning, intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Those students are now being redirected to mainstream high schools after the province eliminated applied courses and moved to de-streaming classes. Locally developed courses were also incorporated at each school, if required, to assist students unable to meet the provincial curriculum requirements.
Mancini told Sarnia News Today, AMSS has 300 students enrolled this school year and only 30 students are in Grade 9.
"We're not launching this program to address enrolment at the school. We're launching the program because there is a need for technological education courses and spaces and AMSS has some really good facilities that we want to be able to capitalize on to provide students with the courses that they need to enter the skilled trades," she said.
When asked if launching the hub was part of a larger plan to keep AMSS from closing, Mancini had this to say.
"I don't know that that's the driving force behind the decision. It all comes back to... we've got a space that has facilities that can be used. A lot of our decisions around enrolment are based on what students want in terms of courses," she said.
The registration and course selection process for the 2025-2026 school year begins in February.
"By focusing on technological education at AMSS, and using those facilities, we're hoping to meet some of that pent up demand. It's a win-win. We're meeting the needs of our students and we're keeping the school open at the same time," Mancini added.
LKDSB families are invited to tour the hub and learn about the programming options during an open house on February 20 starting at 6 p.m.