Our History
Armbrae Academy was incorporated in association with the Presbyterian Church of Canada, by an act of the Nova Scotia Legislature on May 3rd, 1887. Initially known as Halifax Ladies College, it became affiliated with both Dalhousie University and the Halifax Conservatory of Music (now Maritime Conservatory) immediately after it was established. Classes were divided into three divisions: the Collegiate, the Preparatory, and the Primary Department. Kindergarten was introduced later on. The school was started as a “finishing school” for young ladies that were not pursuing a career, and as a University preparatory school for those that were. The school’s motto was “In Deo Spero” - in God I trust - and the Collegiate curriculum was as intentionally as broad as possible: including courses in maths, sciences, humanities, the Arts, and classical languages (Latin, French, and German). Sports played a prominent role from the beginning, with the day divided into morning studies and afternoon sports. Tennis, field hockey, curling, skating, and swimming were key to the athletic programme. Meantime, volleyball and basketball were played at the competitive level against King’s Edgehill and Sacred Heart.
In 1980, the school became known as Armbrae Academy, continuing the tradition of giving its students access to the broadest education possible. Now a coeducational day school with more than 350 students from diverse backgrounds, academic excellence is at the core of our programming, while we intentionally focus on character education, community service, athletics, and other pursuits that encourage children to consider their role in the wider world. School belongingness is a hallmark of the Armbrae experience, and our updated motto - Be Kind | Work Hard - underpins everything we do.
To learn more about Armbrae Academy please Email Suzanne Morrison or call directly 902-830-1418