Laurier Macdonald Highschool: A Sense of community and achievement for all
The school offers an exciting academic program, making sure to meet the needs of every type of learner.
Laurier Macdonald (LMAC) opened its doors in 1969 in St. Leonard. Today, the school offers an exciting academic program that meets the needs of every type of learner and is known to foster an environment that allows students to find a greater sense of belonging and acceptance in their community. To guarantee that every student has a place to call “home,” the LMAC House System was created in 2022. The House System ensures that every child has a chance to shine and enjoy their time as part of the LMAC family.
The system is divided into The Bear, Lion, Eagle, and Wolf Houses; each has their own identity, symbolism, and significance to LMAC. During the first weeks of school, students, along with teachers and staff are placed into a house. New bonds are formed from friendly team competitions and fun events that speak to the talents of all students.
A wide range of extra-curricular activities provide students with opportunities to expand their cultural and environmental awareness. The Lmactivists is a student-led social justice club that finds volunteer opportunities in the community and organizes events.
The composting team was started in collaboration with the Concordia-based group ENUF. There are also Dungeons and Dragons, crokinole, reading, and chess clubs. Additionally, the Community Learning Centre builds local partnerships to provide workshops to students and families to promote health and wellness initiatives.
The Sports program is an integral part of LMAC, made possible through the collaboration of teachers and staff who coach a variety of team sports. This school year alone, teachers started their first ice hockey team, and the Midget Girls Volleyball team won the championship. Andy D’alessandro, physical education teacher at Laurier Macdonald since 1995, speaks of the school pride stemming from team sports, “You can always see student athletes participating in activities morning, lunch and after school. What makes our sports program special is the number of former students who visit us and talk about their experience in the sports program and how it impacted their lives in a positive way.”
The different learning pathways at Laurier Macdonald includes the renowned International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. IB embodies a holistic learning approach, connecting academics to the real world. The curriculum develops the students’ IB learner profile. Main components to the program include learning Spanish, creating a personal project, and completing yearly community service. Laurier Macdonald has established a strong volunteering presence with local groups and organizations, and students have had the opportunity to complete community service action internationally. In addition, students get a 2 per cent increase on their R score when applying to SRAM CEGEPS.
In the Core and Enriched Programs, History can be taken in English or French from Secondary 1. Accelerated Math starts in Secondary 1, and Calculus is offered in Secondary 5. Science teachers prioritize hands-on learning activities. Creative writing, Sports Management, and Art are Secondary 5 options that allow students to start exploring their career directions.
The Home Economics course offered in Secondary 3 and 4 is the ultimate life skills class. Students learn about home management and develop their organizational abilities in a fun environment. Topics covered include cooking, sewing, and car maintenance, to name a few. A new Secondary 1 Dance option explores styles such as hip-hop, contemporary, and ballet. Business Management is a diverse class that prepares students for a college-level business marketing. Secondary 5 students are taught the process of creating their own businesses. They learn the ins and outs of investing, building their own products and websites, and how to boost their social media presence when carving a niche for themselves in a competitive business market.
The heartbeat of Laurier Macdonald resides in the supportive staff ready to help students succeed and achieve their learning goals. LMAC offers peer-tutoring and has a full-time Mathematics tutor. The school resource program, Support 2 Success, aims to support anyone following an IEP who may require additional help academically and socially.
Resource teacher Josie Arcobelli states, “Our resource team provides individual and small group instruction, a quiet place to work, remedial academic support, access to assistive technology, and so much more to ensure an enriching learning experience for all.” At Laurier Macdonald, the staff is the link that keeps students engaged.
Spots are still open for the 2023-2024 academic school year. To learn more about registration, you can contact the school at 514-374-6000 or the visit the school website at lauriermac.emsb.qc.ca/lmac. Be sure to also visit their social media pages facebook.com/Lauriermacdonaldhs and instagram.com/lauriermacdonald