Our History
Clearpoint Elementary School was founded on July 1, 2006 as a result
of the merger of Cedar Park and
Seigniory Elementary schools. Clearpoint Elementary is a true
community school with high academic standards where the staff and
parents work together to create well-rounded students. Through the
IB Primary Years
Programme, we strive to provide our students with the tools
necessary to become life-long learners in a changing world.
Our curriculum is enriched by our strong athletic program with a
special emphasis on the arts (music, dance, and fine arts). Clearpoint
Elementary also has a state of the art wireless network that students
use for various projects on a daily basis. Physical education, music,
dance and computers are taught at all grade levels by the very best
specialists. We are math Olympic champions, competing in high level
contests with elementary schools across the country.
Cedar Park Elementary School
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Cedar Park School was recognized as
the oldest English Protestant school in
the West Island. It came into existence
as a house owned by the Legault family
of Pointe Claire, with Miss McCoy as the
first teacher. In October 1895, a wooden-framed building was erected on the lot
north of the Legault home. This land was
bought from Mr. Otto Frederick Lilly for
$287.00.
By 1921, students attending Cedar
Park School came from the Valois, Pointe
Claire and Beaurepaire areas.
Transportation to and from school was by
truck in the summer, and horse and
sleigh in the winter. Mr. Bill Keene of
Pointe Claire was their driver.
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Cedar Park School was always a
community school. The Home and School
Association was begun in 1932, the
fourth formed in the province. During
the late 20's and 30's, classroom
libraries were set up, and by 1967, a
central library was planned. Mrs. Betty
Sorensen devoted many hours to the
organization of the library which now
bears her name.
Throughout the years, under the
guidance of dedicated principals and
teachers, Cedar Park School was noted
for its academic excellence. The school
board was instrumental in beginning new
programs. In 1958, an experimental
French class was introduced by Anne Ropars, the first in the former
Lakeshore School Board. Over the years, as school enrollment
dropped, new programs were started in
the old wing. An extended French
Kindergarten program was introduced as
part of the Cedar Park Early Education
Center (CPEEC). The CPEEC included
programs for children from infants to
four years old, and consisted of a drop-in
center for parents and tots, Rainbow
Corner (3 year olds), and Les Bouts de
Choux (4 year olds). The extended French
Kindergarten was replaced by
the bilingual Kindergarten full-day
program.
In September 1995, Cedar Park had a
huge centennial celebration. Over 1,000
former students and staff members
attended this exciting event. You can peruse the
history of Cedar Park at your leisure in
our library by
looking through old photo albums and
documents, as well as a special
centennial souvenir album.
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Seigniory Elementary School
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On October 21, 1964, at a meeting of
the West Island School Commission,
Commissioner Urquhart met with Pointe
Claire city officials to discuss costs
pertaining to the acquisition of land
and the building of a school to be built
on Seigniory Park - the future Seigniory
School .
The origin of the name is already
shrouded in the mists of time! However,
Mr. McOuat, the first principal, has his
own theory on the matter.
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During the 1960's, all the
municipalities were desperate for street
names - clutching at straws. The only
other instance of the name that Mr. McOuat has ever heard
of was a private club that once existed
at the Chateau Montebello, and he
surmises that there might be a
connection somewhere!
By June 1965, the architects were
ready for the Commission to call for
tenders. Of the five tenders submitted,
the lowest was Rodighiero Construction
Co., which was then given the “go-ahead”
to proceed with the building at a cost
of $523,000.
This much-needed school was open for
business in September 1966, under the
direction of Mr. Don McOuat with a staff
of 25 and a full complement of students,
including a Grade 8 that was bussed in
from Beaconsfield.
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