An inside look at the newly-opened Stittsville high school

Maplewood Secondary School in Stittsville opened its doors on Sept. 23, following a delay in the first day of school, which was previously set twenty days earlier.

Now with students and staff in the building, finishing touches are being prioritized.

“With support from District staff, our dedicated school team prioritized student learning, and is committed to facilitating a smooth and successful start to the school year for both students and their families,” wrote OCDSB.

According to the school board, Maplewood Secondary School welcomed approximately 807 students in Grades 7-9 since opening its doors.

While the construction project is not yet complete, the school board explains it is collaborating with contractors to ensure it’s finished as soon as possible.

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Prior to construction, the development was a highly-anticipated project, with only two options for students in the area. Previously students in Stittsville attended South Carleton H.S. in Richmond or A.Y. Jackson S.S. in Kanata, both with notably longer travel times.

“Students and staff are excited to be in the new space and are actively engaged in learning,” noted OCDSB.

The board made the decision to postpone the school’s opening due to safety concerns.

“The number of outstanding safety issues strongly suggest that the building will likely fail the formal occupancy inspection this week,” AJ Keene Superintendent of Education (South) for OCDSB, said in a previous notice to parents.

It was originally set to be complete by spring 2024, several months prior to the start of the school year.

“Maplewood Secondary School is poised to support ongoing growth by adding a grade each year until it becomes a Grades 7-12 institution in September 2027, ultimately providing 1,353 classroom spaces,” wrote OCDSB in an email to CityNews.