Gracemount High School

Opened in 1959, Gracemount High School has been a cornerstone of Edinburgh’s southeastern community for generations. Initially a junior secondary school, Gracemount High transitioned into a six-year comprehensive school in the 1960s. The original Gracemount High School building witnessed decades of learning and laughter. It eventually succumbed to time, requiring extensive repairs by the turn of the millennium. Edinburgh Council determined that a new building would be more cost-effective than renovating the aging structure. In 2003, before demolition, former staff and students gathered at Gracemount High School. They celebrated the memories made within its walls and bid farewell to the structure that had served the community for over forty years. That same year, a new chapter began. Students and staff moved into a brand-new Gracemount High School building. This new facility, situated near Captain’s Road, where the old school once stood, boasts a modern, functional design. A central hall serves as the heart of the school, with classroom wings branching out. Constructed under a public-private partnership, Gracemount High School, unfortunately, shared a similar fate with other 21st-century school buildings in Edinburgh. Defects were discovered, necessitating extensive repairs. These repairs were eventually covered by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership. Beyond academics, Gracemount High School has played a role in other events. In 2017, the school served as the halfway point for the London–Edinburgh–London cycle ride, welcoming cyclists from across the country. Today, Gracemount High School continues to educate and inspire. It serves over 600 pupils and employs around 80 staff.