"Assumption College" was founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1857 as common school, High School and College. Assumption College formally became Assumption College of the University of Western Ontario and then Assumption University of Windsor in 1956, Assumption University in 1964 and is now affiliated with the University of Windsor. The original 3-storey school housed the "common school," high school and college, residing together on the same grounds and in buildings owned by the Basilians. Mr. Theodule Girardot is credited with maintaining the continuity of the school throughout its birthing pains. In its early years the school accommodated private boarders and day school attendees, male students only. George McMahon, Sr. notes in his history, "Assumption continued to be tasked to provide four different programs: a preparatory school for grades five to eight; a commercial course for those boys preparing for a life in business; a three-year academic course or high school and a four years Arts course with College level courses." In their Academic Year 1932-33 booklet, the High School is referred to as the "High School Department," and includes a history for the school, lists of faculty and "officers," admission, expenses and fees, lists of courses for all three programs, names of students, etc. The booklet also notes that since "the affiliation of the College Department with the University of Western Ontario in 1920, the High School has become a separate unit. An academic course of four years preparing boys for college, a commercial course leading to positions in the business world, and one year preparatory course, are offered." The Assumption High School Reporter, the student newspaper for Assumption High School began publication in 1937. The January 26, 1945 issue reports on the expansions that will benefit the High School: a new auditorium, plus "all the buildings now standing will be turned over entirely to High School use." In the 1940s and early 50s the High School is stated to have resided in Dillon Hall. The High School moved to its current location in 1957, a photo from c. 1957 and a postcard from c. 1965 shows the High School in two different incarnations at the 1100 Huron Road location. The Assumption College High School Chapel is listed on the Municipal Register but is not designated. In 1971, with the merging of St. Mary's Academy, the High School became a co-educational secondary school within the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board. In 2011, one of the school's former teachers, Father William Hodgson Marshall, pled guilty to sexually abusing students while teaching at Assumption. He had also been able to teach at Holy Names High School in Windsor, plus other Catholic High Schools in Toronto and Sudbury, where he sexually abused students between 1952 and 1986 as well.
Current status
Assumption offers a range of secondary programs including the IB Diploma Programme, as well as Co-op, OYAP, MOYAP, SHSM Hospitality and Tourism and SHSM Aviation and Aerospace. Assumption's student population has decreased significantly since the early/mid-1990s. Today the school has a current population of approximately 650 students. This secondary school is now among the smallest in the Windsor-Essex County Area, but in the early/mid-1980s Assumption was one of the largest secondary schools in Canada with approximately 3000 students, and a reputation for excellence in both academics and sports. The current principal is Dwayne Brunet.
