| Halifax Grammar School | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Inito ad discendum/ Exito ad serviendum |
| Established | 1958 |
| Type | Private co-educational |
| Students | 500 |
| Grades | JP–12 |
| Location | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Yearbook | 'The Grammarian' |
| Website | www.hgs.ns.ca |
The Halifax Grammar School (HGS) is a private, coeducational day school in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is located in south-end Halifax, near Saint Mary's University. It has a student population of approximately 500, and at the high school level follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. The school's current headmaster is Blayne Addley.
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The school is divided into the Prep School (grades Junior-Primary through 4), the Middle School (grades 5 through 9), and the Senior School (grades 10 to 12). Each school has its own head of school and teachers.
The Halifax Grammar School occupies two campuses, one located on Atlantic Street, and the other on Tower Road. A building at 420 Tower Road was the original location of the school before they purchased the building on Atlantic Street, which they soon decided to expand. For two years, the School rented the "Bethany" building on the corner of Tower Road and Inglis Street from Saint Mary's University (it is now used as an ESL building by the university), before purchasing the closed Tower Road School building from the City of Halifax. The Tower Road Campus (TRC) houses the Middle School, the school's administrative offices, the Silver Art Studio, and the Meinertzhagen Theatre, a multi-purpose converted gymnasium which is used for everything from school assemblies to dances to musical performances. The Atlantic Street campus houses the Prep School (downstairs) and the Senior School (upstairs), as well as a large gymnasium. The school also uses the "Tower" gym facilities at Saint Mary's University for some of its gym classes.
Since being founded, HGS has consistently maintained a high level of academic achievement. The Senior School recently converted to mandatory International Baccalaureate studies for all students during the 2002-2003 school year. Course choices become progressively more flexible, allowing students to specialize, while certain compulsory courses (at various levels) provide a basis of knowledge that is essential to all students.
All prospective Senior School students from other schools are required to undergo entrance testing before being admitted. This system is used to identify candidates for the school's merit-based scholarships, in fields from pure academics to community service to athletics, and numerous combinations thereof.
Despite being a small school, Halifax Grammar's Senior Varsity Girls Basketball team ranks highly in Division 1 among the best high school teams in the province. Past achievements include:
2009-2010 Season: NSSAF Division 1 Provincial Champions; 2008-2009 Season: NSSAF Division 1 Provincial Bronze Medalists; 2007-2008 Season: NSSAF Division 1 Provincial Bronze Medalists; 2006-2007 Season: NSSAF Division 1 Provincial Champions.
The school has an arts program, most notably at the high school level, allowing students the option of taking IB Standard Level Art. Students regularly have their art exhibited throughout both school campuses.
Musically, the school began an expansion in 2003 with the implementation of a band program for students in the Middle School. The school also puts on an annual musical production, which is currently directed by Ms. Tina Capalbo.