In the summer of 1951, James Logan, John Parker and Louis Thomaschuk found themselves so overwhelmed with requests for tutoring to help prepare students for the August provincial supplemental exams that they founded the Annex Coaching School. The endeavor proved so successful that when supplemental exams were abolished in 1965, James Logan saw an opportunity to put into practice a dream he had harbored for years: establishing his own private school. With the help of co-founder John Parker, Centennial Academy opened its doors in September of 1969 with an enrolment of 63 students.

When grade 12 was officially abandoned by the province a few years later, the Board of Directors worked out a plan with the Ministry of Education to replace grade 12 by what had become Quebec’s unique contribution to education: the CEGEP pre-university program. Centennial Academy was now to offer a full five-year secondary education course along with a full two-year college program.

By 1973 Centennial Academy had outgrown its premises on the corner of Decarie Blvd. and Vezina St. and moved to more commodious, though still modest quarters at the corner of Somerled and Cavendish Avenues, above a Woolworth’s store. Three years later, the need for an expanded facility was finally satisfied with the rental of the Daniel O’Connell School (our current site) from the Montreal Catholic School Commission.

In 1981 Mr. Barry Stevens, Assistant Head at Selwyn House, was appointed Headmaster of Centennial Academy, replacing James Logan. The period between 1983 and 1991 was characterized by expansion and renovation with the addition of a new library and gymnasium in the main high school building. The Lower School building was acquired in 1988 and was extensively renovated in the summer of 1994 to provide an outstanding facility for high school students during their first two years at Centennial Academy. In the summer of 1992 the large greystone house across the lane from the Lower School was purchased and renovated to house classrooms and offices.

In 1998 Mrs. Angela Burgos, Principal of Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School, succeeded Mr. Stevens as Head of School. The past years have marked a period of reflection, renewal, and reinvention at Centennial Academy & College – from the mission review process, where the slogan “Reach your potential at Centennial” was adopted, to the wide-range of student services and accommodations that have been implemented, the focus has remained on student learning and success. The College moved to its own facility, complete with student lounge and computer lab while high school classrooms have been improved with the addition of acoustic-tiled ceilings, carpeting and softer lighting to enhance focus. Centennial is a community of learners, where students and faculty alike are afforded every opportunity to reach their full potential. We retain the most committed and enthusiastic faculty - teachers who share a dedication to professional development and a willingness to bring innovative teaching methods into the classroom. We have shown that Centennial Academy and College are leaders in creating optimum learning conditions for students to succeed in both High School and College, graduating well-prepared for future university studies.

Centennial's history has been marked by phenomenal growth in terms of the physical plant, student population and school prestige in the educational community. We have grown from 63 students to close to 500, from no science labs to 5, from no sports and extra-curricular activities to 25 teams and 20 non-athletic activities. As we continue our journey, we strive to be the very best school in Canada serving an inclusive population within our market niche. By building on our reputation for helping students reach their potential, we continue to be a leader in meeting the needs of a wide-range of learners.