Major Investments in our City’s Academic Future
We’re proud to welcome two major investments in our city’s academic future: the new Georgian College Downtown Campus and the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub. Together, these projects strengthen Barrie’s growing role as a centre for learning and innovation.
Never Stop Learning
Barrie is an entrepreneurial city – curiosity is common. We love to learn, connect and build new skills. If you’re looking for self-improvement, there are opportunities for higher education, apprenticeships and continuing education.
Barrie has everything you need to build your life including excellent educational options. The Barrie area has more than 20 private schools, 39 elementary schools and 10 high schools, including French immersion, Montessori and separate schools.
Education Grows in Barrie
Barrie’s post-secondary landscape is expanding, creating new connections between learning, innovation, and opportunity. Across disciplines—from computer science and engineering to business and the arts—students are gaining hands-on experience and entrepreneurial skills that will prepare them to lead, create, and thrive. Through collaboration with local industry and community partners, education in Barrie extends beyond the classroom; connecting learning with real opportunities right here at home.
We’re proud to welcome two major investments in our city’s academic future: the new Georgian College Downtown Campus and the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub. Together, these projects strengthen Barrie’s growing role as a centre for learning and innovation. Barrie is excited to see the energy, ideas, and partnerships that will grow from a stronger academic presence in our community as these campuses open their doors in September 2026.
New Georgian College Downtown Campus
The new Georgian College Downtown Campus will bring hundreds of students and faculty into the heart of Barrie, strengthening the downtown core and supporting local businesses. With an injection of an expected 800 students, the new Georgian College downtown campus will introduce programming with a focus on high-demand areas including design, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship – injecting fresh energy into Barrie’s growing creative economy.
In partnership with the City of Barrie, Georgian’s taking another step forward with the creation of a vibrant downtown location that will serve as a launchpad for innovation, creativity, and collaboration.
Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub
The Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub strengthens the city’s post-secondary opportunities with state-of-the-art labs, collaborative spaces, and programs that prepare the next generation of science and technology leaders. Students can study locally for in-demand careers in engineering, mechatronics, and computer science that support the needs of local industry.
Designed to meet the demands of the future workforce, the STEM Hub provides hands-on, high-tech learning in an intimate, purpose-built setting. With small class sizes, close mentorship, and strong connections to local industry, the STEM Hub empowers students to explore, innovate, and launch successful careers in STEM fields.
This partnership fulfills the city’s long-held goal to establish a local university to serve the growing community of Barrie. Local students can access a world-class education in Barrie.
Learning On the Job
Apprenticeships and continuing education are great options for those who want to advance their career while working. Continuing education opportunities are available online, or through a blend of online and in-person learning. High school students can explore over 140 careers through the Ontario Youth Apprentice Program, and Georgian College offers a variety of apprenticeship programs at their Barrie campus.
Post-Secondary Education
Georgian College
Georgian College offers over 130 programs and is home to more than 13,500 full-time students across 7 campuses, with Barrie being the largest.
The Alectra Centre for Research, Innovation and Commercialization is equipped with the latest technology and partners with local industry to provide next-gen skills to students and advanced research & development.
Georgian is the first and only Changemaker College for embedding social innovation and changemaking into the culture, programming and operations (designated by Ashoka U).
The department of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship is the hub for research, development and innovation at Georgian and includes:
- Research and Innovation
- Centre for Changemaking and Social Innovation
- Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre
Georgian is a recognized leader in student work experience, with 6,300 employer partners. Students gain workplace experience with the added benefit of building a foundation with local employers who are eager to hire.
90.3% Georgian graduates find employment within six months of graduation.
Lakehead University
Lakehead University is Ontario’s top primarily undergraduate university, and fifth in Canada, according to the 2025 Maclean’s University Rankings. For the sixth year in a row, Lakehead has ranked among the world’s top universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The university is one of Canada's top undergraduate research universities with 116 industry and not-for-profit partners around the world.
Lakehead's Orillia campus, located just 35 kilometres from Barrie, offers over 17 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The campus is also actively expanding College-University program pathways in collaboration with Georgian College. The City of Barrie is partnering with Lakehead University to bring a STEM Hub to downtown Barrie, set to launch in Fall 2026.
97.7% of Lakehead graduates find employment within two years of graduation with 91% having jobs relating to their field of study.
