Since 1907, Riverdale Collegiate has established a reputation for academic excellence and strong community involvement. Riverdale is home to a modern library learning commons and students regularly use technology to enhance their learning. The academic program is complemented by a wide variety of clubs and sports such as: the Riverdale Environmental Action Committee, SASSD, yearbook, athletics, music and theatre. Our school prides itself on a strong spirit of community.
Music, Vocal and Strings
Express yourself in a wide range of music programs, including vocal, instrumental and strings, offered from Grades 9 to 12. Perform in concerts at Massey Hall and various music festivals. Our students have won awards in the vocal category and consistently do well in these events. Perform in our popular evening of holiday music and spring concerts as well. Elevate your music to a higher level. We offer Grade 12 students a repertoire course to refine their skills. Learn from teachers who are accomplished performers. Travel to New York City, Boston, or Chicago to see some of the best artists in the world.
Interesting Feature
Extended French Program
Join 160 students and enroll in the excellent Extended French program. In addition to French language courses, we also offer introduction to business, history, civics/careers and ancient history in French. Complete eight French language courses and earn a special certificate in bilingual education. That certificate can help you secure university admission and may lead to exciting careers in the public sector and around the world. Join other students in our popular French club and visit French restaurants and various landmarks in the city.
More Information about Riverdale Collegiate Institute
Physical Education and Athletics
We offer a wide range of innovative physical education courses. Our competitive pool is used for all major swim meets and the fitness room is a great addition to the physical education classes. In our popular exercise science course focusing on physiology, we help prepare students who are interested in studying physical education or life sciences at university.
Art and Photography
Enroll in our visual arts and photography programs and exhibit your work at the school and in the community. Learn in our fully equipped dark room and spacious art rooms that will help your creativity explode. Join our Crafts course to learn interesting techniques such as felting, jewelry design, pottery and paper making.
Social Science and Humanities
Enroll in our ancient civilization, anthropology, sociology, politics, law, economics or world religions course and put the present into perspective. History students compete in the annual Toronto history contest. The law society's annual safety audit surveys students, parents and teachers to hear their views and make recommendations for change.
Computer studies
Learn how to program the computer, design a web site, or be part of publishing the school yearbook and newspaper. Our school won the Toronto Star High School Newspaper award for the best volunteer newspaper in Toronto.
Additional Features
- Peer Buddy Program
- Strong Equity Programs and Clubs
- Parent Information Nights
- Modern Learning Commons
- Equity Advisory Committee
- Breakfast and Nutrition Programs
- Mental Health Team
- Environmental Action League
Student Life - Where You Belong
Riverdale has a very active Riverdale Athletic Association with a huge selection of sports that run four days a week at lunch hour. Other events running at Riverdale include school dances, spirit days, Mini Olympics, bake sales, Environmental Action League, leadership camps, and many more. A large number of students also attend our Lunar New Year and Eid celebrations, Semi Formal dinner dance and our fabulous Prom. The energetic Student Council ensures monthly activities to keep the spirit alive at Riverdale. Some of these activities include the Halloween fashion show, candy-grams, teacher vs. student games, etc. We offer over 90 different clubs and teams in athletics, the arts and social justice. For the past three years students were able to sign up for an exchange trip to Japan or Europe or participate in trips to Chicago, Boston or New York.
What Sets Us Apart
Riverdale students are focused and serious about their futures. The trained guidance team will open a world of university, college and apprenticeship options. From October through to February, we organize weekly visits by college and university representatives. Over 80 per cent of our graduates are accepted into the college, university or apprenticeships of choice, with almost one-half of those students earning university scholarships. One-third of our graduates are Ontario Scholars. Our students participate and excel each year in numerous provincial and national mathematics competitions, including Euclid, Pascal, Fermat Cayley and the University of Waterloo. Computer science students have achieved top honours at the Educational Computing Organization of Ontario (ECOO) competitions. We have six computer labs, with 300 computers connected to the Internet and WiFi access in many areas of the school.
Parent and Community Engagement
Riverdale is well regarded in our community as a safe school. Our Law Society addresses pressing issues each year through a safe schools survey, and in conjunction with administration, offers workshops for teachers, students and parents on topics such as: Bullying, Harm Reduction (Drug Awareness) and Internet Safety. Riverdale has an active Alumni Association who meet regularly to discuss improvements and events for the school. The School Council also meets every six weeks to give parents the opportunity to become better informed and to get involved in the educational process.
