Back to SearchIt’s official! The Town of Wasaga Beach has a second high school on the way.
“The Town of Wasaga Beach welcomes this latest investment by the Ontario government to ensure that kids in Wasaga Beach can go to high school right here in our fast-growing community,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “Our Town and Council have been relentless in advocating on behalf of students and families in Wasaga Beach, and in less than nine months, we are thrilled to welcome over $116 million in provincial funding for not just one, but two high schools in Wasaga Beach. This government continues to listen and invest in new schools and improved infrastructure in Wasaga Beach that will positively impact our community for generations to come.”
WASAGA BEACH – It’s official! The Town of Wasaga Beach has a second high school on the way.
Mayor Brian Smith welcomed the good news today during a media event with MPP for Simcoe-Grey, Brian Saunderson, at the Town’s new Wasaga Stars Arena.
The Ontario Ministry of Education will invest more than $59.3 million to build a high school proposed by the Simcoe County District School Board, which has the full support of the Town and Council. This will support the creation of 1,145 secondary student spaces in Wasaga Beach.
This will be the second high school to be approved by the Ontario government for Wasaga Beach in less than nine months. Construction on the Town’s first provincially-funded high school started today.
Since taking office in November 2022, the Town and Council have been relentless in advocating at the county and provincial level on behalf of students and families in Wasaga Beach. This advocacy has continued right up to the most recent ROMA conference on January 20, 2025. As a result, in less than nine months, Council has welcomed over $116 million in provincial funding for not just one, but two high schools in Wasaga Beach.
Additional Quotes
“As a dynamic and growing community on the scenic southern shores of Georgian Bay, Wasaga Beach has a long standing need for a community high school. With this important investment, this Government continues addressing that need to provide local students with access to a best-in-class learning experience enhanced by a full compliment of extracurricular programs and school events in their own community.”
MPP for Simcoe-Grey, Brian Saunderson
Quick Facts:
- Over the past 24 months, the Town and Council of Wasaga Beach have successfully advocated for and welcomed over $129 million in provincial investments to build new infrastructure including roads, two high schools, a community theatre, and more.
- Wasaga Beach is one of the fastest growing communities in Ontario and Canada. The Town’s current population is 25,000 residents, with projections indicating that this number will double by 2051.
- Wasaga Beach is currently the largest community in Ontario without a high school, and notably, the only community with a population exceeding 15,000 residents that lacks a high school.
- Approximately 1,000 high school-aged children are being bused outside of Wasaga Beach each day to attend elementary school and high school in neighbouring communities.
- Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board high schools are open-access, meaning any child is eligible to enroll. This innovative high school – the first in the history of the Town of Wasaga Beach – is expected to open in 2027 thanks to a $57.7 million investment by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
- The new Simcoe County District School Board high school is expected to open in 2029, thanks to more than $59 million investment by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Additional Resources:
Learn more about the town’s first high school.
Learn more about the town’s second high school.
About Wasaga Beach
The Town of Wasaga Beach aims to be a place where people come to create memories that will last a lifetime. Engaging in advocacy with other levels of government supports this vision and Council’s priorities: to create opportunities to diversify the economy, create jobs and build a complete community. It’s part of the Town’s plan to become a leader in sustainability, creativity, innovation and fun – a place with thriving businesses and safe, inclusive and complete neighbourhoods where we celebrate our rich history, diversity of cultures and natural beauty, including the Nottawasaga River, Georgian Bay and the longest freshwater beach in the world.
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Media contact:
Sandra Watts, Director of Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs, sandra.watts@wasagabeach.com
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