The Academy is the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's (CBRM) only school to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which began in the summer of 1987.

In recent years, the school has experienced a lag in numbers, as graduates emigrate and families from Cape Breton move to other parts of Canada in search of employment.

The Sydney Academy Mission Statement is as follows:Sydney Academy aims to develop independent, knowledgeable, well-rounded young people who are risk takers, problem solvers, and are actively engaged in helping to solve local and global problems in a creative and critical manner.

To this end, Sydney Academy fosters a challenging environment in which students are actively engaged in rich educational experiences which encourage them to conduct themselves in a principled, compassionate manner that is respectful and open to other possibilities and perspectives.

[4]In 1835, an act was passed by the General Assembly of Nova Scotia authorizing the Lieutenant Governor to appoint trustees and to make a grant of land for school purposes in Sydney.

Campbell Street was opened up at that time through the property and the portion not required for school purposes was divided into lots.

[5] Due to the influx of people arriving in Sydney to work at the Steel Plant, a new Academy was built in 1901 to accommodate an increasing number of students.

This three-story brick and stone building was located next to the previous Academy and contained modern facilities such as a chemical and physical laboratory as well as an assembly hall capable of seating up to 500 people.

[5] The present-day steel and glass Sydney Academy was built at 49 Terrace Street and was officially opened on September 8, 1959.

In 1937, a representative of Sydney Academy was selected to attend the coronation of King George VI in London, England.

In 1950, the boys' basketball team won their 6th consecutive Maritime Juvenile Championship, under Pat Paterson and Joseph Chiasson.

In 1963, the Academy Soccer team played a game with the crew members of the German freighter Klaus Leonhardt.

In 1971, the Academy Debating team tied for first place at the Canadian High School Championship held at McGill University.

In September 1985, Sydney Academy's first modern Canadian football team was established, playing its first game against its rival, Riverview High School, at the Membertou field.

[7] The official Sydney Academy anthem was written by Robert Angel and Leon Dubinsky, members of the 1960 graduating class.

(Chorus) Beloved Alma Mater Whose past we hold so dear; We'll cherish it in years to come Its memory sharp and clear.

(repeat 1st verse) In 1937, famed Canadian author Hugh MacLennan wrote "Ode to the Academy" which is about the school.

[8] On Park Street did Minvera's Knights A temple to her fame decree Where half a thousand souls so wild Made Satan's angel's works seem mild..., They reared Academy.

There was the Lab, which sends forth odors queer And here, the scene of dances gay and free A place that every student's heart holds dear This blessed school, our own Academy.