Nutana Collegiate was founded as Saskatoon Collegiate Institute in 1909. The use of "collegiate" in the school's name reflects the school's original curriculum and intended role as a preparatory school for students expecting to attend university and enter professional careers. The school is located on a parcel of land that was a city park known as the Louise Grounds. The eastern portion of this land is occupied by the school's playfields and is now known as Chief Darcy Bear Park. The Classic French Renaissance style building was designed by Regina architects Storey & Van Egmond. The school provided the first public meeting place in Saskatoon and during its early years provided space for the Saskatoon Normal School. During 1910–12 the University of Saskatchewan held classes during construction of its own campus. The school was also home to Saskatoon's first public art gallery. Between 2009 and 2012 the school underwent a $14 million renovation that included general building upgrades, new windows, and classroom and auditorium renovations. In 2013 the project received an Architectural Heritage Award presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.
Academic programs
Nutana offers courses in four academies:
Academic Upgrading Academy: for mature students ages 18 and older;
Career and Experiential Learning Academy: support and programs for students to explore career areas and develop skills;
Tourism Academy: offers courses and opportunities for students to prepare for a tourism career and develop the skills necessary for postsecondary education; the academy offers the Gold Level Program of the Canadian Academy of Travel and Tourism.
Physical education
Nutana offers physical education programs in two main categories: Wellness classes offer a variety of activities including archery, basketball, racket sports, cross- country skiing, slow pitch, swimming, tennis, volleyball, weight training Special Physical Education classes offer archery, badminton, billiards, bowling, canoeing, curling, fitness, ice games, indoor and outdoor games, orienteering, cross-country skiing, slow pitch, swimming, tennis, and wall climbing.
Notable alumni
Mary Carter, one of the earliest female graduates in law from the University of Saskatchewan, in 1947, and the second female magistrate appointed in Saskatchewan history, in 1960.
