New JK-12 Parry Sound school

It has now been confirmed that the new facility will not be ready for occupancy by the first day of school in September 2025. While this is not the outcome we expected, the Senior Team and board staff are actively developing contingency plans to ensure that all students have access to appropriate learning environments when the school year begins.

JK- Grade 6 students who were set to attend McDougall Public School in September will attend that school location as originally planned. Students in Grades 9 - 12 will begin the school year at the current Parry Sound High School building. All Grades 7 - 8 students will attend the Nobel Public School site.

NNDSB has implemented a comprehensive communication strategy to inform the public, NNDSB families, staff, union partners, and community stakeholders of this delay. Updates will be shared through SchoolMessenger, NNDSB Facebook, and on this webpage to ensure transparency and timely information sharing.

In parallel, we are continuing to work through key operational aspects of the contingency plan, including staffing, transportation, and student supports. We recognize the impact this delay may have on families and are committed to doing everything possible to support students through this transition.

At this time, a timeline for completion of the new build and subsequent transition of the staff and students to the new JK-12 school has not been identified. NNDSB will continue to monitor progress closely and provide regular updates as more information becomes available.

Will students be safe attending Parry Sound High School, which is a partially demolished school with no library, cafeteria, or parking?

Why wasn’t a contingency plan finalized earlier, as directed by the Minister of Education?

What is the confirmed project completion date for the new Parry Sound JK–12 school?

What are the specific issues causing the delay?

What is the full contingency plan for Sept. 2?

Is remote learning being considered?

How well are both McDougall and Nobel Public Schools set up to handle the number of students that will need to attend classes there for the foreseeable future?

Will French programming, including Extended French, be offered at the three sites?

Will there be regular public updates?

Will NNDSB hold a public meeting or town hall in Parry Sound within the next week?

When will transportation routes and information be available?

Will my child remain in their same class/cohort when they move to the new school site?

Contacts for Inquiries and Support:

All of the information that has been collected from stakeholder groups, including teaching and operational staff, students and First Nations representatives, remains relevant as Near North District School Board (NNDSB) moves ahead in its work to build a new JK-12 school in Parry Sound.

It was announced in February 2021 that the Ventin Group (+VG Architects) was awarded the contract to design a school that seamlessly transitions area children from daycare through to secondary school in a building that is modern and reflects the needs of 21^st century education.

The school will include a childcare centre and an EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

There is a program sub-committee and a building sub-committee, both of which will make regular progress reports to the Parry Sound JK-12 Build Committee. That committee will make regular reports to the Board, which will be available in the agenda packages and in the links to the right. Topics of high interest will be issued as media releases, which are available in the links to the right.