SJFHS first opened in 1958 as a new Federal School for the Northwest Territories. It underwent expansions in 1964, 1969, 1974, and a major renovation in 2003. The facility now comprises 9600m2 and includes a new town plaza with cafe, science wing, art gallery, gymnasium, and is co-located with the
Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC). The Communications Arts Centre includes a television studio, edit suites, music room, and drama room. Career technology functions include a woodworking and aviation studio, the north’s only automotive shop, and computer-based business and tourism instruction. In 2003 the school partnered with a private company to install a 2.0 kW (2,000 Watt) photovoltaic solar system on the school's roof. The system is connected to the local utility grid. One of the goals of the project was to educate the students and general population about the use of alternate energies in the North and serve an ongoing student-operated science project. ==Notable alumni==