To protect the future of 300 students with special needs at Centennial Academy in downtown Montreal, the students and community came together and organized a special benefit concert.

Centennial Academy is an independent French and English high school in Montreal. In 2020, the school lost its old building and had to move to a heritage site, leading to nearly $9 million in debt. The financial crisis at the school has put its future in jeopardy and could force it to close by the end of the school year, which will be a great loss for students and families.

The school recently invited everyone from the community to a special event called “Let’s Save Centennial: A Future for Our Kids,” a concert filled with music, hope, and support for the school. It took place at Montreal’s Rialto Theatre and featured well-known artists like Martha & Rufus Wainwright, Sarahmée, and Patrick Watson, with Emmanuel Bilodeau as the host. Centennial Academy students performed on stage with the artists to celebrate their talent, strength, and the kindness of those who support them.

The French program offered by Centennial Academy, which makes up half the school’s students, is in a tough spot because it doesn’t get government funding due to a freeze. The school has asked for emergency help, but without support from the government, its future remains uncertain.

Source: CityNews