Leamington's Former Elementary School Transforms into High School Skilled Trades Campus
Nearly a decade after its closure, a former Leamington elementary school has been given new life as a specialized trades campus for high school students. The former Queen of Peace Catholic Elementary School, which closed its doors in 2016, has been transformed into a satellite campus of Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School, focusing on hands-on vocational training.
A New Educational Pathway
Students from Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School can now enroll in two specialized programs at the newly reopened facility: an electrical academy and a hairstyling and esthetics program. The electrical academy launched at the beginning of the second semester on February 2, while the hairstyling program began in September 2025.
The fact that this extremely well-equipped facility is mere steps away from Cardinal Carter makes these programs easily accessible for our students, said Emelda Byrne, director of education at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB). Our Catholic school board is committed to creating a culture of innovation that offers diverse and responsive programs that support student pathways in such areas as skilled trades and STEM.
From Closure to Rebirth
The school received approval to reopen in January 2025 after the local Catholic school board obtained authorization from Ontario's Ministry of Education. The transformation represents a significant shift in educational offerings for the Leamington community.
Local trustee Mary DiMenna, who once taught at Queen of Peace, has been a strong advocate for bringing trades-focused academies to Leamington similar to those available in Windsor. Not every student is academic and we need to offer our students another option, DiMenna explained. We need to give these kids a chance to be able to get a job and a skill and be proud of what they're doing. This is very exciting news for Leamington.
Student and Community Response
Grade 12 student Max Carr expressed enthusiasm for the new programs, though he wished they had been available when he first entered high school. I knew I wanted to become an electrician when I grew up, Carr said. I do think this program will help out the other students who are starting out in high school. It's a good program.
Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald noted that the community responded with widespread excitement to news of the school's reopening. Programs like these play an important role in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals while supporting the needs of employers in Leamington, MacDonald stated. Providing students with access to hands-on training in areas like electrical and esthetics helps create pathways to rewarding careers while contributing to the continued growth and success of our community.
Educational Transformation
The reopening of Queen of Peace as a skilled trades campus represents a significant educational development for the region. The facility now serves as:
- A practical training center for electrical trades
- A specialized campus for hairstyling and esthetics education
- A model for vocational education integration within traditional high school systems
- A community resource for developing local workforce skills
The transformation from an elementary school that closed due to student accommodation reviews to a vibrant trades education center demonstrates how educational facilities can adapt to meet changing community needs and student interests.
