A. J. Smeltzer Junior High is a grade 6 to 8 school in the heart of Lower Sackville, N.S., approximately 20 minutes outside of the city of Halifax. We currently have 241 students and 29 staff members (teachers and support staff). Our school was founded in 1980 and is named after Albert (Bert) Jerriff Smeltzer who was born on September 27, 1885 in Halifax Nova Scotia. In 1897 his family, which included nine children, moved to Sackville and he attended school on Old Sackville Road. The school had only one teacher for grades primary to 6, and another teacher that taught students from grades 7 to 12.
'Bert' Smeltzer was a blacksmith by trade and worked for Standard Paving. His forge was on the Old Windsor Highway, across from the present gas station. His skill in making decorative ironwork can be seen in the iron rail at St. John's Church here in Lower Sackville.
Mr. Smeltzer was a school trustee at the age of 21 and he was also a Justice of the Peace for many years. Her served as a county councilor for three terms ending in 1970. Mr. Smeltzer was a founder of the Sackville Chamber of Commerce and helped form Sackville's Volunteer Fire Department. He belonged to the Bedford Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner.
We are proud to have our school named after a citizen who did so much to contribute to the quality of life in our community.