Armbrae Academy

Founded by an Act of the Nova Scotia Legislature dated May 3, 1887, Armbrae Academy was established in collaboration with the Presbyterian Church of Canada. Its original name was the Halifax Ladies College, founded immediately after US Minister to France Levi Morton gave a scholarship to a woman, who was the daughter of a wealthy local. Soon after its founding, the academy was associated with Dalhousie University and is now the Maritime Conservatory of Music. The institution had three divisions for its students: Collegiate and Preparatory, and the Primary Department, with kindergarten classes added later. The academy served as a finishing school for girls who were not planning to pursue careers and as a preparatory institution for those intending to go to university. Founded with a motto, In Deo Spero, the teachers designed the curriculum. Mathematics, science, humanities, and mathematics were included in the Collegiate curriculum. Students studied in the morning and afternoon every first day of the week. Recess was provided during their breaks. Sports were part of the curriculum. Tennis, swimming, field hockey, and curling were included in the athletic program. At that time, Armbrae played basketball and volleyball against King's Edgehill and Sacred Heart.