Charles C. McLean Public School

Home of the Colts

Kindergarten to Grade 8  |  Gore Bay, ON

Charles C. McLean Public School is an English Program Elementary School serving approximately 193 students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 living on Western Manitoulin Island. 

Located in the scenic town of Gore Bay, Charles C. McLean Public School is a community school in every sense of the word. Our dedicated staff, families, volunteers and community partners work together to provide students with meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, lead and belong.  

Our History

Our school has a long history in the Gore Bay community. Originally the Gore Bay Continuation School and later Gore Bay Public School, the school  was officially renamed Charles C. McLean Public School, on October 12, 1973, in honour of longtime principal Charles C. McLean. Today, we are familiarly known as C.C. McLean Public School – Home of the Colts!

Learning in Our Community

Our location provides students with a unique natural learning environment. Surrounded by the bluff and overlooking the waters of Gore Bay and the East Bluff, our schoolyard offers countless opportunities for outdoor learning, exploration and play. 

Students make use of the natural landscape throughout the year, from exploring our forest area and picking apples to observing the white-tailed deer that regularly visit our school yard. We believe these experiences help foster curiosity, environmental stewardship and an appreciation for the place we call home. 

One of our longstanding community partnerships is with the Gore Bay Fish and Game Club. Through this partnership, students have the opportunity to observe Chinook salmon develop from eggs to small fry before helping  release them into local waters – bringing learning about life cycles, ecosystems and environmental responsibility to life. 

Learning, Leadership and Belonging

At Charles C. McLean Public School, we believe student success extends beyond academics. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive school where students feel known, supported and connected and where they have opportunities to develop confidence, character and leadership. Our Colts Character Derby, together with our Dare to Care program, provides a school-wide focus on character, respectful relationships, belonging and positive school culture. Monthly character values are explored through classroom learning, school-wide activities, assemblies and opportunities to recognize the many ways our Colts contribute to the classrooms, school and community. 

Students also have opportunities to develop their voices and take an active role in school life through our Colts Council, our student leadership group, clubs, teams, special events and community initiatives. Some of our extracurricular activities include sports such as three pitch, cross-country running, flag football, volleyball, hockey, basketball, badminton, soccer, and track and field. Other extracurricular opportunities include chess, choir, public speaking, art club, literary and poster contests, and our Go Green Club.

Beyond the Classroom

Our connection to the wider Gore Bay community is an important part of who we are. Our school is also home to the Gore Bay Child Care Centre, providing child care and before-and-after-school programming, as well as the Gore Bay Seniors’ Centre. Sharing our school with community partners creates unique opportunities for connection across generations and reinforces the important role our school plays within the community.