Crescent Town School is part of a large inner-city apartment complex located next to the Metro Toronto valley system. The school is situated on the original site of the Massey Estate. In 1973, Crescent Town School opened with an enrolment in excess of 500 students. The school underwent a major construction project over the past few years, which also includes a daycare centre. Crescent Town School, presently with over 720 students, serves a diverse ethnocultural and multilingual population. As part of the Model Schools for Inner City initiative, the staff, parents and community are committed to providing increased educational opportunities and rich learning experiences for the students.
The Heart of the Community
Crescent Town School a dynamic school. Students, staff and parents are involved in a variety of opportunities which enrich their lives. Parents work closely with staff, take part in workshops, trips and many great adventures. Staff take part in workshops to increase their skills and knowledge while working with this great inner-city community. Students are the recipients of this team work while learning about the world around them. Having healthy, happy and supported students who will become great adults and citizens is the goal.
Crescent Town School's Mission Statement
The families, staff, students and members of the Crescent Town Community work together to create a caring community of active learners who are responsible for:
- Taking pride in our uniqueness and diversity.
- Caring about each other and living together peacefully.
- Learning through a balance of the arts, academics and physical and health education.
- Promoting literacy through rich activities at school, home and in the community.
More Information about Crescent Town Elementary School
School Focus
The staff, students and parents will:
- develop literacy and numeracy skills through a home and school partnership
- work together to maintain a positive and inviting school culture
- integrate physical education, music and the arts; drama, dance, visual arts
- develop skills in the use of computers and new technology
Library as the Hub of the School
The library is the "Learning Hub" of the school. Published authors and speakers often visit. Classroom partnering units with the teacher librarian occur and families participate in "Snuggle Up and Read" evenings with guest readers. Book exchange occurs before, after school and during school hours. This year, the school has focused on enriching students literacy learning through REA@CT; Reading Empowers All at Crescent Town. Students, staff and parents have taken part in a day long conference focusing on sharing stories; written, oral and through the arts. Other events this year are highlighting and supporting parents in working and learning with their children.
Parental Support
With over 90% of the students speaking another language and with 54 languages represented, Crescent Town School works to support the home and school partnership. Students are supported in their learning through differentiated and experiential learning. Parents volunteer and regularly participate in workshops and are supported through the school's Settlement Worker.
Additional Features
● Current Computer Equipment
● 3 to 3 Oral Language Program
● Close proximity to community centre
● Integrated Arts programming
● International Languages Program
● Homework Clubs
● Parenting/Family Literacy Centre
● Active School Council
Student Life - Where You Belong
At Crescent Town, we believe that students need to be physically, mentally and socially active to become happy and successful. Students participate in a wide variety of extra-curricular programs with teams and clubs taking place at lunch or before or after school. In the spring and fall students are invited to train for cross-country and track and field events with other sports teams and a wide variety of clubs scheduled throughout the year. Leadership opportunities are given importance and are available through the Prefects, PALS (Playground Activity Leaders in Schools), Mental Health Leaders, library and classroom helpers programs as well as boys and girls leadership clubs. Staff and students offer a variety of fundraising events which are organized to raise funds for needy communities around the world. All students are encouraged to think of themselves as global citizens. They are learning about equity and promotion of justice while refining their critical literacy skills. Classes will also often organize fundraising events to support those less fortunate than themselves.
What Sets Us Apart
Crescent Town School is a large and vibrant school which is considered the heart of the community. The majority of students live in the neighbourhood and are fortunate to be able to walk to school from their homes through the Crescent Town community rather than onto the roads. This self-contained community offers medical support, shops, restaurants, a community centre and day care as well as a path directly to public transit and to the valley. Students will often participate in outdoor activities in the valley located to the north of the school. They have planted shrubs, trees and assisted in creating water features along side City of Toronto staff to create a wonderful, protected wetlands area. Classes will often do seasonal walks through the area admiring and learning from the wildlife and botany.
Parent and Community Engagement
- Ontario Early Years Centres (Kindergarten family math, parenting, prenatal programs)
- Settlement Worker Program
- Co-op students from neighbouring secondary schools, Faculty of Education student teacher candidates, nursing and social work students from various universities and colleges
- Toronto Public Health (Peer Nutrition program, dental checks etc.)
- Foundation of Student Success (snack program)
- Community Care and Access (ITLC Intergenerational Program)
- Neighbourhood Link (Kick Start Homework Club)
- School Council with numerous interested members
- Parent volunteers who support classroom activities and excursions. Training workshops are provided to parents before working in the classroom. Police checks are completed when required.
- Active parent participation in workshops
