The former D.A. Gordon Public School in Wallaceburg is being converted into an international boarding school.
Eric Tian, a spokesperson for the management team for the Edward International Academy, told the Sydenham Current that renovations are currently taking place for the proposed Grade 9 to Grade 12 school.
“It will be a private high school,” Tian said.
“They will be mainly international students. The majority of the students will come from the mainland of China. That is our target population.”
Tian said they are hoping to complete renovations by the summer and to start classes in September.
“We have a few shareholders and some have an education background,” Tian said.
“We have a few connections in China and we are very interested in coming here… we feel it is a good combination to move the kids here and study some new things for themselves… so they can control more in their future.”
Tian said they are currently recruiting students.
“We are hoping for 20 to 30 kids, but we hope as time goes by we will get more,” he said.
Tuition and boarding fees are listed at $49,800 on their website, with another $4,500 in additional fees.
Tian said the property, location and community was a good fit for their new school.
“The community is a good community,” he said.
“It’s quiet and welcoming. We feel after the kids come here they will feel safe. The scenery is beautiful, it’s pretty. That is another bonus. Also, the community has been welcoming. We’ve spoken to a lot of local people and they are very nice and they wish to help. That is why we selected the property.”
Tian said the D.A. Gordon school is still in good condition and local government officials in Chatham-Kent have been helpful.
“All these factors combined together to make this decision,” he said.
Tian said they want to get the school validated with the Ministry of Education in Ontario.
“We have hired a consultant to go through this process,” he said.
“The overall process in Canada is very friendly. They actually allow you to open a school and you need to meet all the standards they are asking for and you ask for the inspection.”
Tian said he estimates there will be 10 staff positions available to start at the school, but they have yet to start the recruiting process for staff.
“We hope to bring a new energy by introducing all these kids here,” he said.
“It will be a lot more opportunity for local people as well… the restaurants, the shops, they will all get new business.”
Wallaceburg Councillor is optimistic
Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley told the Sydenham Current he hopes the proposed plan works out.
“It is positive for the community and the south side, where I grew up and I was a student at D.A. Gordon, to have the former D.A. Gordon school being used in a productive and community contributing way,” he said.
“Best wishes that their plans all come to fruition since any positive use will benefit the community and local businesses.”
The school officially closed its doors in June of 2014.
The decision was made to close the school after a lengthy accommodation review process by the Lambton-Kent District School Board.
The school was sold to a Toronto man the following spring.
He had planned to turn the location into a private school as well.
Ministry guidelines
The Ministry of Education sets out the basic criteria that a private school must meet in order to operate.
The Ministry website states all private schools in Ontario must be:
– Providing instruction anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any school day
– For five or more students
– Of compulsory school age
– In any of the subjects of the elementary or secondary school courses of study.
The Ministry says if a new private school does not meet each of the above elements of the definition, it will not pass the validation process required to operate.
Similarly, if an existing private school fails to continue to meet any part of this definition, it may face closure through the removal of its Ministry-issued Board School Identification Number.
The Ministry does not regulate, licence, accredit or otherwise oversee the day-to-day operation of private schools, the Ministry says.
