AHSS was originally built to replace Sundridge High School, Sundridge and South River High School, South River. In the early 1960s the building underwent a giant expansion to become Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, this new school also eliminated the need of Burk's Falls High School, Burk's Falls and Powassan High School, Powassan. This new school had a reach from Nipissing in the north to Magnetawan in the West and Novar in the south, including all area between.
The New School
In the mid 2000s planning for a replacement high school for the area arose. This was cause to the old school having problems with asbestos as well as the building becoming dated with many repairs and upgrades needed. With the help of a government grant the new building began construction in early 2010. The new school was finished construction in September 2011, causing students to be delayed by one week starting the new school year. The new school is significantly smaller in size then the old school was When it opened the school was missing bleachers in the gym, slide out auditorium seats in the cafetorium, a soccer field, a running track, track & field jumping pits, and only a plywood deck on the stage. During the 2011-2012 school year fundraising allowed the building of the bleachers and auditorium seats. Due to having no field students during gym classes, home soccer games, and track & field still took place at the old school, leaving the students to be bused over to the old site. During the 2014-2015 school year the soccer field was constructed, ready for use in fall 2015. Over the 2015 summer break the stage deck was also replaced to proper decking. As of right now the school is still lacking a functioning running track and jumping pits, but students are no longer bused to the old school.
AHSS offers drama programming in grades 9 through 12. It also offers advanced drama programing, as 'Play Production' courses at the 11th and 12th grade. The AHSS Drama club, known as Tartan Theatre, produces 2-3 plays each school year, and participates in the National Theatre SchoolOntario Drama Festival. It is part of the Nipissing District and Northern Region. Tartan Theatre has had multiple plays advance to the Provincial Showcase, most recently with Elephant's Graveyard in 2015. Other productions apart of provincial showcases include Lessons of Childhood, Women of Troy, Moon People, and Salt Water Moon. In 2016 Tartan Theatre was selected to take part in the Southern Ontario Youth Theatre Festival with The Comedian.
AHSS offers an Extended French Certificate Program where students can take intensive courses on the French language as well as content courses offered in French. Students in the program will graduate with an Extended French Certificate on their OSSD. It is not a bilingualism certification, but starting in 2017 students in their fourth year of the program can take the DELF French Language Test.
Specialist High Skills Majors
AHSS offers three Specialist High Skills Majors which students can apply for in the tenth grade. They are Environment - Outdoor Education, Design and Technology, and Health and Wellness.
Dual Credits and Apprenticeships
AHSS offers many Dual Credits and Apprenticeships programs through Canadore College in which students can earn credits towards their OSSD and a college degree, diploma, or certificate. Typically, the dual credits program is paired with the COOP program.
Notable Alumni
Peter Camani, artist and sculptor, retired art teacher, art is featured in the Vatican and Buckingham Palace. His creations, such as the Screaming Heads and Midlothian Castle & Gallery have been featured on many television shows.
