The original Aurora High School was built in 1888 on Wells Street. This building was rebuilt in 1923. Parts of this school building are incorporated into the Wells Street Lofts residential complex. The high school student population eventually outgrew the Wells Street building and a new high school was built on Dunning Avenue. This high school, which opened in 1961 and is still in operation in 2018, is called the Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School. From 1961-1972 Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School was the only high school in Aurora, Ontario. In 1972, the new Aurora High School opened at 155 Wellington Street West. It can accommodate a student population of approximately 1500 students. As of the 2017/2018 school year Aurora High School has required 4 portable classrooms to accommodate the influx of new students.
The school colours are red and gold, and the mascot is an eagle. The original mascot of the school was the Golden Gopher but the gopher was buried in the back field and replaced by the eagle in June 1985.
Interesting facts
Former prime minister Paul Martin visited the school on November 9, 2005, to talk about various topics, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and politics. Singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk visited Aurora High in January 2000. She sang the song "Leaving on a Jet Plane" with Aurora band the Amazing Circus Midgets and spoke about her career. John-Michael Scapin, winner of CBC's Triple Sensation, attended this school. Christine Horne attended this school. In 2005, The Senior Boys Cross Country Team won the gold medal in the OFSAA Championships. This capped an impressive career for the squad which included winning the YRAA gold medals three years running, the most decorated and successful single team in any sport in the recent history of the school. In 2007, Kaitlyn Oliver won an OFSAA gold medal in cross country. In 2008, she also won an OFSAA gold medal in the 3000m and an OFSAA silver medal in cross country. Rob Denault won OFSAA gold medals in the 1500m in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Collectively, they both won numerous YRAA gold medals in both cross country and track throughout their four years at the school. In Fall 2015, Cameron Ormond was the OFSAA cross country Female Champion at the Midget level. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, the Varsity Women's Ice Hockey team qualified for OFSAA. Since 2007, the Varsity Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team has secured numerous York Region Championships and seven OFSAA Gold Team Championships. In 2008, the Varsity Boys Snowboard Team won Gold at OFSAA and in both the 2010 and 2011 season, the Varsity Boys Level One Alpine Ski Team won Gold at OFSAA. In 2010, the Varsity Girls and Boys Snowboard Team took Bronze at OFSAA, and in 2012 the Varsity Boys Snowboard Team took Silver. In 2015, the Varsity Alpine Boy's Snowboard Team and Varsity Alpine Girl's Ski Team garnered Silver at OFSAA, and the Varsity Girls' Snowboard Team were OFSAA Champions. Prior to this stellar history, the last time that the Alpine Team won at OFSSA was in 2000, when the Level One Boys Alpine Ski Team took Gold at OFSAA. And, since 2016, another four OFSAA Golds have been won by the Girls Ski Team and the Girls Snowboard Team. In 2012, the Robotics club won second place in the 2012 Robofest World championship in the Senior Exhibition division.
Student council
Aurora High School's student council is generally elected every year. The process for selecting a new council consists of two elections. The first election determines the members of the new council, and is decided by the general student body. The second election, voted on by members of the old and new councils, determines the positions of each member of the council.
Music department
The school has a very strong arts program, though most of the focus is on its music program. The music department has several ensembles. These include:
In addition to these ensembles, the music department also has a Music Council, in which students and teachers plan for music-related events that the department has to offer, such as:
Along with competitions, the music department travels with their students around the world to places like Washington, Cleveland, New York City, Rome, Florence, Venice, Salzburg, and Vienna
