Community Celebrates Sod Turning for new Cornwall Secondary School

September 22, 2025 (Cornwall) – The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) celebrated the land acquisition for the new Cornwall public secondary school with a sod turning today, bringing together students, staff, trustees and community members.

“Today marks another milestone in this long-term vision for our students and this community. This new school represents our commitment to creating vibrant, welcoming spaces where every child can thrive. We’re excited to see this vision come to life,” says Trustee David McDonald.

This new Grade 7-12 school will consolidate students from Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School and St. Lawrence Secondary School under one roof. The facility will have 1,400 pupil places, two double gyms, a track and field facility and green space for students to enjoy. There will be bright, modern classrooms with designated spaces for technical/trades learning and Indigenous education. The school will be designed with growth and sustainability in mind.

“This is a proud day for our Board and for everyone who is working hard to make this school a reality. I can’t wait to see this school come to life and become a place where learning, laughter, and community thrive,” adds Chair of the Board Jamie Schoular. “We appreciate the support that the Ministry of Education has provided for this project and are grateful for the support of our local MPP, Nolan Quinn.”

This will be the first English public secondary school to be built in Cornwall in more than 50 years.

“The sod turning at Cornwall Secondary School marks a significant educational milestone for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. Our government is proud to invest in Cornwall’s newest secondary school, ensuring students have access to modern, state-of-the-art learning environments that will support their growth and help them reach their full potential, right here in our community,” says Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

“Our goal is clear: To provide students with the opportunity to succeed and grow, and ensure teachers have the resources and environment they need to inspire learning and help students thrive,” adds Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “We will continue to invest in safe, modern schools while strengthening accountability and transparency across Ontario’s education system to ensure that every dollar invested is preparing students with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers.”

The construction tender for the school will be issued in Spring 2026. The projected opening date for the school is September 2029.

The UCDSB will continue to work collaboratively with our community and Ministry partners as this project progresses. We will update the community as new milestones are reached.