Our History: Madawaska Valley District School
Madawaska Valley District School (MVDS) has a proud history dating back to the mid-20th century, growing alongside the Barry's Bay community it serves.
Founding and Early Years
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1967: The School Opens - MVDHS officially opened its doors to serve the extensive 180 square kilometre district known as "The Madawaska Valley." The school was built to accommodate 840 students with the core mission of offering the maximum educational opportunity to every child in the region.
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Decades of Tradition - The school quickly established its identity, with blue and yellow as the school colours and the Wolves as the athletic teams, proudly represented by the mascot, Waska.
Modernization and Growth
Beginning in the 21st century, MVDHS underwent significant modernization to enhance student opportunities:
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2011: Program and Sustainability Expansion - The school renovated a classroom to introduce the popular Cosmetology program within the Technology department. That same year, MVDHS demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by installing a 6,000 Watt solar panel system that feeds green energy into Ontario’s electrical grid.
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2013: Fitness Room - MVDHS further invested in student well-being with the installation of a fitness room, which remains a cornerstone of the Physical Education program.
The Unified K-12 Campus
The most significant recent development was the creation of a unified, Kindergarten to Grade 12 educational environment:
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2014-2016: The Co-location Project Following public consultations, the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) approved the plan to move and rebuild Sherwood Public School within the structure of Madawaska Valley District High School. The project aimed to ensure K-12 education remains viable in the Barry’s Bay community for the foreseeable future, aligning with the RCDSB's principles of excellence and wise resource use. The combined schools opened in the Fall of 2016.
This initial co-location phase—where both Sherwood Public School and Madawaska Valley District High School operated as individual entities under one roof—was a transitional period. Effective for the 2024-2025 school year, the two schools officially consolidated into a single entity: Madawaska Valley District School. This new, unified school now proudly offers continuous education from Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12), completing the RCDSB's vision for a long-term, sustainable educational hub in Barry's Bay.
Today, Madawaska Valley District School continues its tradition of supporting growth, success, and opportunity—from skilled trades and craftsmanship to academic achievement and excellence in the arts—within our integrated community campus.