Antigonish Community Services

Education:

Antigonish has educational opportunities for your whole family from pre-kindergarten, K-12, up through University level and specialized courses and supports.  Bus service is available throughout the Town and County for the K-12 schools. Several private daycare and pre-school education facilities are available.

Schools:

• Antigonish Education Centre (Elementary) pre-primary to Grade 4.

• St. Andrews Junior School – Grades 5-8 offers excellent schooling for students (approx. 575) from a diverse background. Special programming includes full-time guidance, physical education, music, Schools Plus, Child Centered Transition, Youth Service Facilitators, and various support staff members.

• l'École acadienne de Pomquet offers French language-based education in K-12.  Pomquet is 20 minutes from Antigonish.

• Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School – Grades 9-12

•  H.M.MacDonald Elementary School is a country school from Pre-Primary to Grade 6 located in Maryvale (8 minutes from Hawthorne Convenience)

•  East Antigonish Education Center/Academy offers schooling from Primary till Grade 12 is located on HWY/NS-104 in Monastary. 

•  St. Andrews Consolidated School offers schooling from Pre-Primary till Grade 6 is located in the picturesque village of St. Andrews, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. 

  For more information on schools you can also visit the Strait Regional Centre for Education (SRCE) 

Universities/Colleges:

• St Francis Xavier University (St. FX) established in 1853, St. FX offers small class sizes, personal attention from faculty and a broad curriculum.  It has a reputation of one of the finest undergraduate universities in Canada and is a popular choice with many international students. Home of the “X” ring and its legendary school spirit make it appealing.  Continuing education and personal interest courses are offered in a wide range of subject areas.   

  • Coady International Institute established in 1959 on the StFX University is noted for its community-based leadership and development education with global and national participants. It has made “Antigonish” known around the world.

• NSCC:  The Strait Area Campus in Port Hawkesbury and Pictou Campus in Stellarton, New Glasgow (40 min from Antigonish). This campus of the Nova Scotia Community provides Transport Canada-approved marine training, an Innovation Centre, culinary arts and a broad range of full and part time programs.

Specialized Supports and Services:

• Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) and L’Arche Antigonish offer programs for adults with physical and mental disabilities. Job training through the CACL and an Arts Studio at L’Arche are valued parts of the community.

Other classes and courses are offered through private teachers and organizations. These include dance, music, arts, sports, and more.  The People’s Place Library offers seminars and workshops and is a great and central source of information.

Shopping & Restaurants:

Although Antigonish is a small rural town, it has the amenities of a much larger location.  It is the service center for the northeastern part of Nova Scotia.  There are several shopping areas and you will be able to find just about everything you need. 

Main Street Antigonish is just a few blocks long, but has a variety of boutiques, several restaurants, galleries, a theatre, Town Hall, the library and many services. On one end of Main Street you’ll find Chisholm Park.  The other end has Columbus Field.

The Market Square Mall on Church Street hosts a Canadian Tire, Sports Chek, several clothing stores, The Source, Dollarama and Lawton’s Drug Store. A NSLC, Sobeys, several restaurants and the Art House is also in this area.

On Post Road the Atlantic Super Store for groceries, Walmart and Staples to mention a few.

On James Street you will find the Arena and Farmers Market, the Snow Queen Restaurant and many fast food restaurants.

Visit the Antigonish Farmers Market, Saturday 8:30 am – 1:00 pm. It’s a great place to shop local for your produce, baked goods, crafts and enjoy entertainment while meeting the locals.

For more shopping information, visit https://www.visitantigonish.ca/shop/

For more information on our local restaurants, visit https://www.visitantigonish.ca/eat/