Macdonald Consolidated School was established in 1904 as a model rural school for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prine Edward Island and Ontario through the sponsorship of Sir William Macdonald, a Montréal tobacco manufacturer and philanthropist.

Kingston’s Macdonald Consolidated School (MCS) brought revolutionary changes to rural education in the community and a new standard of education to the province. For the first time, public education in a rural community was offered primarily to advanced courses (grades 1 thru 11 inclusive).

Aerial view of 1904 Kingston’s MCS, Trinity Church and the surrounding village.

The central and distinguishing course in the Macdonald curriculum was Nature Studies. Students learn about the life of plants, trees, and insects.

The original school was destroyed by fire in 1909, and the present building was opened to students the following year.

Photos: http://web1.nbed.nb.ca/sites/ASD-S/1925/Pages/School-History.aspx; https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/macdonald-consolidated-school_ecole-consolide-macdonald/