As early as 1824, a functioning school existed in Arichat. By 1834, the school faced insurmountable financial difficulties, and as a result, the creditors – primarily John Tyrrell, a prominent Arichat merchant – foreclosed on the property, but instead of closing it, Tyrrell hired two lay teachers. This continued until 1842 when the school was closed for want of a teacher.
In the summer of 1860, Les Freres des Ecoles Chretiennes began teaching the boys of Arichat Academy.
In 1865 the provincial government passed an act which designated the Brothers’ school and the convent as high schools. This meant that all teachers were required to take examinations in English; the brothers refused to submit to this. They resigned and were replaced by lay teachers, one of whom was Remi Benoit.
The following are taken from the registers of Arichat Academy beginning in 1924.
Student number 131 to student number 153 were in the Intermediate section taught by Sr. Marie du Cenache in 1925.
- 6 Eva Burton, Bertie, Arichat – 179/196
- 6 Mary Louise Rancon, Charles, Arichat – 178.5/196
- 6 Margaret Mombourquette, Simon, Arichat – 173/196
- 6 Isabell LeBlanc, Edward, Arichat – 181/196
- 6 Blanche Hureau, Thomas, Arichat – 183.5/196
- 6 Adelaide Theriault, Alphonse, Arichat – 159.2/196
- 6 Mary Wilson, Daniel, Arichat – 44.5/196
- 6 Edna Shaw, Thomas, Arichat – 150.5/196
- 7 Clifford Edwards, Philip, Arichat – 165/196
- 8 Mary Groom, William, Grand Greve – 177.5/196
- 7 Beatrice Boudreau, John David, Port Felix – 186.5/196
- 6 Blanche Roy, Bennie, Cambridge, Mass. – 181/196
- 6 Dolotose Leblanc, Peter, Halifax – 183.5/196
- 6 Agnes David, John, Port Felix – 186/196
- 7 Clarence Boudreau, Albert LeBlanc, Poulamond – 186.5/196
- 8 Joseph Marchand, Desire, Pondville – 168/196
- 8 Velma Boucher, Simon, Arichat – 86/196
- 8 Agnes McLean, James, Mulgrave – 184/196
- 7 Albert LeBlanc, Ned, Arichat – 174.5/196
- 6 Ivan Shaw, Thomas, Arichat – 133/196
- 6 Blanche Richard, Pierre, Arichat – 89/196
- 8 Margaret Brousel, Arthur, Arichat – 47.5/196
- 6 Myrtle Latimer, John, Arichat – 12/196
Note: Sr. Marie Ste. Firmini taught high school in 1926
- 11. Germaine Comeau, Capt. Alex MacKinnon – 184/191
- 11 Francoise Boucher, William – 185/191
- 11 Ella Cutler, Mr. M.O. 160/191
- 11 Clara Pellerin, James, Larry’s River – 189/191
- 10 Clarisse LeBlanc, Mrs. Sabine R., Arichat – 119/191
- 10 Hazel Burton, Albert – 163/191
- 10 Gustave Comeau, Capt. Alex MacKinnon, Arichat – 178/191
- 10 Amedee Boucher, William, Arichat – 65/191
- 10 Jack Forest, Daniel, Lochside – 184/191
- 10 Leo Campbell, John C., Judique – 92/191
- 9 Joseph Marchand, Desire, Pondville – 185/191
- 9 Mary Groom, William, Grand Greve – 191/191
- 9 Elizabeth Brymer, Alex, Boston – 191/191
- 10 Florence Girroir, Mrs. A.G. MacDonald, Antigonish – 153/191
- 10 Elmira Boudreau, Louis, Arichat – 90/191
- 10 William Hushard, William, Canso – 72/197
Note: teacher: Sr. Marie Ste. Prudent Primary 1927
- P Bernadette Boucher, Albert – 183/197
- P Eva LeBlanc, Mrs. Joseph Celera, Arichat – 182.5/197
- P Rose Madden, William – 181.5/197
- P Evelyn Monbourquette, Simon – 161.5/197
- P Alice Petitpas, Walter – 178.5/197
- P Mary Tyrrell, John – 176.5/197
- P Elmire Goyetche, Alphonse – 177/197
- P Emma Bonin, Joseph – 47/197
- P Marie Bonin, Joseph – 34/197
- P Thomas Goyetche, Alcid – 119/197
- P Hilda Landry, Raymond – 106/197
- P Annie Wilson, Daniel – 108/197
- P Marie Louise Petitpas, Walter – 90.5/197
- P Alice Bonin, Joseph Petitpas – 92.5/197
- P Amable Bonin, Joseph – 23/197