Hiya,

Do you happen to know, or have experience of High schools in Toronto area?
Especially Grade 11 and 12....?

We're looking at North York, Oaksville, Scarborough, but nothing decided yet. My job in BC may move to Toronto, our son would start Grade 11.

Spoke briefly to Ontario school board. But great to get views of parents and kids who are in the system.

PS, anyone gone on to Univ. of Toronto?

Cheers,
All the Best.

Andy

My experience is a little out of date... graduated from Victoria Park Secondary School in 1979. Went on to U of T, eventually graduated with a Ph.D., so I turned out all right. I couldn't tell you what's up with Vic Park now, but it was fine 30 years ago.

Cheers, Bill, you got a lot from the system for sure.

Like Bill, my experience is a bit rusty (graduated about 15 years ago) and I went to a private school in Toronto, so I can't comment directly. But I had friends at Earl Haig in North York (which specialises in an Arts programme and a 'gifted' programme), and also friends at North Toronto & Northern (both around the Yonge/Eglinton area) - from what I know from my friends, those were all good schools.

My son went to Earl Haig in North York but it is 8 years ago.From what i can remember it was quite a good school.If you need more i will ask him when he comes home.

Hi Andy,

This is Mrs. WW. I am currently a teacher candidate at U of T in the TDSB and have worked at various secondary schools in Toronto.

Many public schools in Toronto are promoting various specialised programs to up their enrollment because this is a shrinking district school board. Some schools do so as well to try and "better their school image" i.e. they are inner city schools trying to change the prespective they have a violent school.

There are 111 secondary schools in Toronto so you have a lot of options. If you could somehow get a hold of the "Needy School list" otherwise known as the Learning Opportunities Index.

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem...19&pageid=2403

The 111th school is the least "Needy" i.e. rich kids with two parents who are most probably well educated. The 1st school on the list is the most needy, i.e. poor kids who come from single-parent families. This would probably be a good way to decide upon which school you would choose, however, I do not necessarily feel that this list 100% accurate in terms of school atmosphere. I did a placement at Runnymede Collegiate (number 14) for example, that was a far more positive atmosphere than at Danforth Collegiate (47) where the behaviour is shocking and substance abuse is extremely high. Bloor Collegiate, which I feel is an excellent school is ranked 45th!

If your son has a particular interest that he wants to pursue through to University level I would look for a school that has a suitable program and then check the needy list just to make sure it wouldn't be too "rough".

As for the University of Toronto, it does have a great international reputation but I do feel that whether or not your son would be happy with the program is dependent on which program he chooses. I took the French program there and was very unimpressed. Some of my friends completed other programs there that they thoroughly enjoyed.

I do know that some programs at U of T are particularly competitive, i.e. the average to get in is 95%. I had a few cousins who went through the accounting program who dropped out because they could not compete with the 100% students who dominated the program.

I hope this helps. Toronto is a great city and as a teacher, we are always looking for new students!

Hi Windward - Mrs WW,

Thanks a lot for your comprehensive reply, really useful. Interesting what you say about the needy list, in terms of higher numbers not always being the better ones, as such. We'd really need to travel over and take a look. The Ontario school board said they could fill us in, on school status, whether that's accurate or not, I don't know.

It may well be that my son stays on here in BC to graduate, then look at U of T. for a place.

I didn't know ON. had a shrinking school board, is it to do with numbers, obvious question... I heard they had a 'shake up' a while back, changes made?

Thanks too, for info. on the university, and courses. Yes, I know what you mean, the course is very important, and they'll have varied entry req.

Toronto as a city looks interesting. We have a branch of our company there. Should really have looked at Toronto as a place to settle, in the first place. I like the fact it has a lot of facilities, festivals, varied cuisine etc. Also, proximity to Europe is a plus. No wonder so many people settle there.

But like anywhere, not perfect, bit city stuff is there, some homeless, inner city school issues, crime etc. Though I realise it fairs better than many cities.

Thanks again, Good Luck with your U of T. Candidate TDSB course.

Andy.