​I​n anticipation of the necessity for school accommodation in the south end of Walkerville, the Board of Education built one of the best equipped public schools in Southern Ontario at the cost of $244,234.00. This new school was named in honour of its first principal. Hugh Bea​ton opened on September 3, 1929, with an enrollment of 364 pupils under the direction of 10 teachers. When the school opened, the Walkerville Library Board was given permission to open a branch in the school in order to give better library services to the southern part of the town of Walkerville. The South Branch Library operated in the building until August 1950, when the room was required for a classroom. Graduates who served in World War II numbered 180, of which 12 paid the supreme sacrifice. Five former teachers also served in the forces. In each of the years 1955, 1956 and 1965 major renovations occurred due to the growth of the neighbourhood. Classrooms were added or altered to accommodate the influx of new students.