Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) has received approval from the Ministry of Education to build a new secondary school to serve students in St. Thomas and the surrounding area. This project will be the first new high school for TVDSB in over two decades, representing a landmark investment in the future of education across our region.

Further details regarding the new school’s location, design and construction timelines will be shared as they become available.

As part of this transition, Arthur Voaden Secondary School (AVSS) will close at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.

The difficult decision to close AVSS, which opened in 1926, follows a comprehensive review by TVDSB and the Ministry. Despite being safe for students and staff, the school would require long-term maintenance and infrastructure repairs that are cost-prohibitive and unsustainable.

“While we honour the rich history and connection many have to Arthur Voaden Secondary School, this announcement allows us to look ahead and create an innovative and accessible learning environment for generations of students to come,” said Bill Tucker, Director of Education. “We are excited to share more about this project in the coming months. In the meantime, we will continue to work diligently to share a comprehensive transition plan with families, and honour Arthur Voaden's enduring legacy with the school community.”

TVDSB is committed to supporting students, staff and families throughout this transition and ensuring continuity of high-quality learning experiences.

Families of AVSS students will be contacted by early May with information about school locations for September 2026.

School and system staff are finalizing plans to ensure a smooth transition for students and families, including planning around course selection, program offerings and extracurricular opportunities. Additional details will be shared with AVSS students and families in the coming weeks.