William Academy Open House

Since William Academy took over the old CDCI West building, there has been interest amongst residents of Cobourg who want more details.  An open house on Saturday April 13 provided information on what it’s currently doing and its future.  The owner, Jeff Weng, is promoting the building’s heritage and CDCI West’s heritage; he is also working hard to strengthen the relationship with Cobourg: Mayor John Henderson spends time monthly with the school and its students.  John likes to recount how he took a group of students for their first visit to a Tim Hortons and all the questions they asked.  The School’s Principal, Louise Nadeau, was coaxed out of retirement after finishing her career in Cobourg.  At the open house, both Louise and John spoke about how the students are already volunteering and otherwise participating in Cobourg’s lifestyle.

William Academy - Science Teacher demo
William Academy – Science Teacher demo

The Numbers

  • There are currently 46 students but it is expected that there will be 75 in September
  • All 46 have accommodation in dormitories at the school which are now close to full so many of the additional students will be looking for accommodation organized by the school’s “Host Family Program”.  Dorm rooms accommodate 2 students although single rooms are available for an extra fee.  They are not luxurious rooms although students socialize and study in the large library.
  • The school currently teaches grades 9 to 12 with class sizes as small as 5 but with a maximum of 15.  It is planned to expand to include grades 7 to 12 by September which will require additional teachers.
  • There are currently 6 teachers –  4 fulltime and 2 part-time.
  • The school is Co-ed with currently slightly more girls than boys.
  • To foster the local connection, up to 10 scholarships will be made available to local students – this will pay for fees but other costs like textbooks, uniforms and activities would be extra.

Local businesses have been active in working with the school – these include:

  • Ten Thousand Villages
  • Sommerville’s Sporting Goods
  • Cobourg Library
  • Streamway Villa
  • Northumberland Hills Hospital

Owner Jeff Weng plans to add 2 Tennis Courts and a Basketball court in the grounds.  There will also be a garden to help the science class.

To underline the local connection, a number of indications that the school was once CDCI West have been left in place. For example, the Gym still includes a sign that says “Go West Go”, old newspapers with key articles are still on a wall in a hallway and the school library still refers to CDCI West heritage.

A new “mascot” or logo was announced – see photo below.

The school teaches the Ontario Curriculum and is inspected regularly. To go to University, as well as passing grade 12, students must meet the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Because students come from all around the world with sometimes inadequate skills in English, a big part of the teaching is ESL (English as a Second Language).

William Academy receives no Provincial funding.

The Open House included tours of the building and some demonstrations by teachers – see lead photo.

Note that the Owner’s son, William Weng, was at the event – see photo.  And no, the school was not named after him!

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concerned citizen
4 years ago

Yes my Children went to a private school
and I though the level of Care and Keeping was exceptional
I also think there is great opportunities here for Cobourg to host an International school as well
But I must say I was not Thrilled with what I see here at the Academy .
Its floundering very sparse , in search of Teachers , and proper accommodations for students
Perhaps they opened before they were ready .

Kyle
Reply to  concerned citizen
4 years ago

I wonder if “Human Rights” and “Rule of Law” are on the curriculum? But I guess a free trip to local politicians takes care of any of those issues.

Deborah OConnor
4 years ago

Most interesting. The school is a fine addition to the Cobourg scene and a unique opportunity for us to expand our world view beyond the white bread atmosphere here on our home turf. Perhaps these students can collaborate with those at CCI to produce some educational entertainment that showcases our local multicultural aspects. People from all over the world live here, let’s learn more about them.

Durk
Reply to  Deborah OConnor
4 years ago

Anyone who downvoted that is a sad individual.

ben
Reply to  Durk
4 years ago

I agree with you Durk but let’s see how many thumbs I get!

ben
Reply to  ben
4 years ago

Thought so – just shoot the messenger and don’t absorb the thought, typical of the closed minds on this board.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  ben
4 years ago

Let’s hope they’re closed for repairs.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Deborah OConnor
4 years ago

I like collaboration. While homogeneity has its social comforts, eg. somnambulance; heterogeneity leads to vibrance, eg. creativity. Thumb up for your positive suggestion.

Jim Thomas
Reply to  Deborah OConnor
4 years ago

I refuse to apologize for being part of “the white bread atmosphere here” since the day I was born, decades ago. My “white bread” neighbours and relatives made this town the lauded place it is today. We do not have to defer to anyone.

Bert
Reply to  Jim Thomas
4 years ago

The downvotes lend themselves to the xenophobic undertones Cobourg is known to have at times.

Troubling indeed.

manfred s
Reply to  Bert
4 years ago

that’s not a trait exclusive to Cobourg