Live green and prosper! City School is a semestered alternative high school that offers a full range of academic courses in Grades 9-12. Its location by the water fits well with its focus on the environment and its designation as an eco-school, platinum status. The program is ideal for creative, self-motivated students who value community and collaborative learning. The inviting atmosphere, diverse student population, innovative curriculum, inspired teaching, and small size make City an appealing alternative to mainstream high schools.
Features
Our school has a wide range of courses in Science, Math, the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. As well as a core academic program, we offer courses such as Life Strategies, Writer's Craft, Media, Nutrition, Environmental Science, Philosophy, Photography, and Phys Ed. These courses are enriched by field trips, guest speakers, hands-on activities, and interdisciplinary events.
Location
City School is at the foot of Bathurst Street in one of the more beautiful school settings in Toronto. All our classrooms look out on Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands and the downtown skyline. We share our building with the Waterfront School and the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre. This alliance affords us access to a full-size gym, games room, Dance Studio, and cafe that serves fresh, nutritious food. The TTC provides frequent service to our location, whether from Union, Spadina or Bathurst subway stations. Bicyclists can take the Martin Goodman Trail right to our door.
More Information about City School
City School Then and Now
City School was established in 1979 by a small group of parents and teachers from SEED who believed that education should be a shared journey. Thirty-eight years later, we remain true to our roots, adapting our courses and teaching within a framework of constructivist pedagogy. Our ecoschool platinum status is an extension of our emphasis on compassionate citizenship.
Student Governance
Students have a say in the governance of the school. Our student council is non-hierarchical and run by all students. We hold general meetings where students, teachers and staff discuss concerns, raise issues and share ideas. Students also have input into the future direction of the school through the Program Advisory Council.
Critical Thinking and Lifelong Learning
We provide a stimulating academic program and also foster critical thinking by examining social issues, hosting guest speakers, developing special course units, organizing field trips and events, and arranging seminars, artist-in-the-school programs, and workshops. Student-led workshops Each semester, students facilitate a range of workshops for their peers and younger students in the community. Past topics have included anti-bullying, social activism, environmental advocacy, leadership, mental health and well-being, and community storytelling.
Student Life - Where You Belong
City School students enjoy a non-hierarchical social atmosphere, a creative community, and an uplifting location with abundant natural light - where the water meets the sky. The students experience a high level of comfort within the school community, and an openness where everyone feels valued and no one is excluded. Because students come from all over the Toronto area, they are eager to meet new students and make new friends.
What Sets Us Apart
City's progressive learning environment, unique courses, opportunities for independent learning, and status as a Platinum EcoSchool set us apart from many schools. City School also boasts a significant number of budding guitar virtuosos ... Music is a major part of the social fabric of the school, and is underpinned by our music production course. In Environmental Studies, students learn about local issues such as water pollution, wildlife preservation and urban ecosystem challenges through exploration in the neighbourhood and on fieldtrips to sites like Crawford Lake. Our annual trip to the Toronto Islands builds community. We are minutes from the Toronto Music Garden created by Yo-Yo Ma, the world-famous cellist, and various art and dance venues associated with the Harbourfront Centre.
Parent and Community Engagement
City students often tutor at the Waterfront School, which is in the same building, and help maintain a "re-naturalized" Garden Project. We host speakers from diverse backgrounds representing a range of perspectives. We welcome parents in the community to visit our classrooms, take part in our events and facilitate learning sessions.
