Stanstead College (Stanstead, Quebec)
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| Stanstead College | |
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| Established: | 1872 |
| Type: | Independent |
| Faculty: | 42 |
| Students: | 200 |
| Location: | Stanstead, Quebec, Canada |
| Campus: | 600 acres |
| Colours: | red & white |
| Website: | http://www.stansteadcollege.com |
Stanstead College is an independent boarding school in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada for boys and girls in Grades 7 through 12.[1] The school was established in 1872 as Stanstead Wesleyan College. The first headmaster was The Rev, A. Lee Holmes, M.A., (1873 - 1885). Unusually, the school was founded as a co-educational school but in 1959 became 'boys only'. In 1979, the school returned to its original co-educational status and remains so today.[2]
The school is located on a 600-acre campus in Quebec's Eastern Townships - just north of Vermont - and enrols about 200 students.
The mission of Stanstead College is to provide students from Canada and around the world with a highly structured and supportive educational program in a small, secure environment. The Stanstead experience helps all students reach their full academic potential in preparation for university, develop healthy and active lifestyles, and understand the importance of respect, responsibility and self-discipline.[1]
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[edit] History
In 1870, a group of Wesleyan ministers met in Sherbrooke and agreed to build a college in the Eastern Townships. Stock sold at $25 a share, with the hopes of raising $20,000. Whichever community put up $10,000 would be home to the college. Compton was ready to put up $10,000 but Stanstead offered $15,000. The Wesleyan Conference approved the project for Stanstead College in June 1871.Construction began in the fall of 1872, with the cornerstone being laid on December 2, 1872 and the College incorporated on December 24.Construction took place through 1873, and the first classes began in the first week of January 1874. Rev. A. Lee Holmes was the first principal. The slow sale of shares coupled with the low tuition ($5-$10/term plus $2.75/week for room and board) compelled the stockholders to transfer the property of Stanstead Wesleyan College to the Montreal Conference of the Methodist Church of Canada in December 1876. In the eighties, Stanstead College ended its relationship with what by then had become the United Church of Canada and is today fully non-denominational.
1896 – The Pierce family donates Sunnyside Castle to be used as a girls residence.
1894 – Dr. and Mrs. A.G. Bugbee of Derby Line donate the residence of Albert Knight, former Stanstead MP, and have it moved across the field to the College grounds to be used as Bugbee Business College.
1902 – The Holmes family donates $3000 to build a grade school for local children, known as the Holmes Model School. It opens in 1903 and remains the local school until 1952 when Sunnyside School is built.
1905 – New gymnasium built.
1931 – Rev. E.C. Amaron becomes principal, remaining so for 23 years.
1938 – Fire destroys the main building. A new main building, later named Colby House, opens in 1940.
World War II – During the war, the College hosts evacuees from Oldfeld School in Swanage, Dorset.
1946 – Alumni Association donates memorial gates.
1951 – Pierce Hall is destroyed by fire.
1958 – Faced with declining enrollment, the school closes Bugbee Business School and the Eastern Townships Music Conservatory. Pierce Hall is rebuilt. Davis House for senior boys and Bugbee House for junior boys open.
1959 – Stanstead College becomes an all-boys residential school. Most local students henceforth attend public schools, including the newly expanded Sunnyside School across from the College.
1965 – Amaron Gymnasium opens.
1968 – LeBaron Hall opens.
1973 – A year of centennial celebrations includes the opening of the Ralph B. Hood Swimming Pool and a visit by Governor-General Roland Michener.
1977 – In the face of Bill 101, Stanstead College chooses to no longer accept funding from the Quebec government. The resulting independence allows the school to maintain control over its policies, including allowing francophone students to enroll without certificates of eligibility.
1979 – Stanstead College returns to co-ed status. Jeremy Riley arrested in Derby Line bordello.
1991 – A new residence for senior girls, Webster House opens.
2001 – The Rec Hall is destroyed by fire. Eight months later a new student centre is built and later named the Eric T. Webster Student Centre.
2004 – The school introduces individual laptop computers into the classrooms and the curriculum.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Further reading
Chronological order of publication (oldest first)
- MacDonald, Joan (1977). The. Stanstead, Que: Board of Trustees of Stanstead College.
