Principal's Message

There are very few schools that can begin to approach the standard of North Toronto Collegiate Institute. What distinguishes North Toronto from other schools are people - students, staff, parents, and members of the community.

Our students are more academically motivated and involved than students in most other schools. The students are serious about their education and the opportunities that it presents. Our program reflects the needs of our students. We offer a full range of academic and university destination courses. Since so few students select course types such as college or workplace, few courses of that type are implemented.

Our excellent traditional academic program

• is recognized by post-secondary institutions of having high academic standards. Universities, such as Queen's, tell us that our students generally do better in first year programs than students coming from most other institutions. They recognize this fact in their acceptance policies. Universities will accept students from North Toronto with final averages well below the traditional cutoff. Over 85% of North Toronto graduates gain acceptance at university.
• encourages academic success for our students while still enrolled in high school. At our recent (class of 2005) commencement exercises, 124 students of a graduating class of 190 were awarded Ontario Scholarships in recognition of having achieved an average (on their top six Grade 12 courses) of 80% or higher. That represents 65.3% of the graduating class. Many students were awarded prestigious scholarships at some of the nations best universities and in some of their most competitive programs.
  
• reflects the needs of our students. The typical NT student has strong academic ability and a high level of motivation. Accordingly, we offer academic programs in our course offerings. Because there are few students requiring a college or workplace program, few of our courses are offered at those levels.
  
• encourages success. Students at NT are surrounded by excellent role models. Students can learn more when placed in an environment having so many high achieving, highly motivated students. The success of our students is contagious.

Excellent, extensive extra and co-curricular programs that

• feature a renowned music program. Our string, band and vocal music program attracts many students to the school. The talents of our music students are predominantly displayed at the many concerts, assemblies and special events that enrich the school. Our music students frequently participate on international exchanges.
• encourage students to participate in a tremendous variety of clubs, organizations and teams. Visiting different links to our web page illustrates the extent of the opportunities that are available. With participation comes the enhancement of skills, knowledge and leadership possibilities for our students.
  

The excellent program and wide assortment of extra and co-curricular programs would not be possible without the skill and dedication of our staff. There are 62 members of our teaching staff, and three members of our administrative team. Most are involved as staff advisors to clubs or coaches for one or more teams. The academic program that the staff offer is current, relevant and challenging. Our entire staff takes pride in the accomplishments of our students.

The School Council/Parents' Association is very involved in the school. At their monthly gathering, the School Council has the opportunity to meet with members of the staff and discuss school initiatives. The School Council also invites guest speakers from the Toronto District School Board and the community to discuss important issues. The School Council newsletter, the NT Circular, is published quarterly. It provides the parent community with a vehicle for presenting items of interest. The school recognizes the important contribution that parents make to the education process. Accordingly, parents are asked to participate on various school committees (e.g. evaluation committee, feeder school liaison, etc.). There is also a formal organization of Music Parents that supports our extensive music program. This organization is involved in fundraising and planning the direction of music initiatives.

North Toronto Collegiate Institute has a tradition that goes back to 1912. The alumni organization established the North Toronto Collegiate Foundation after the 75th Reunion in 1987. The Foundation is very active and sees its mandate to be supporting the school. They do this on several levels. The Foundation has taken on a political role to advocate for public education and to preserve the tradition of excellence that is North Toronto. The Foundation is very active in supporting our students with various generous scholarships and academic and extra-curricular involvement awards. In addition, through its charitable donations and fundraising, the Foundation supports school and student initiatives. The Foundation provides our staff and students with a sense of history and an understanding of the important and successful tradition of North Toronto Collegiate Institute.

North Toronto Collegiate is a wonderful school that has a long, proud tradition, a dynamic present and a very positive future. The students, staff, parents and community believe very strongly in our Mission Statement.

North Toronto Collegiate is a community of students, staff, and parents dedicated to the nurture and growth of a learning environment which will foster and support our traditions of curricular and extra-curricular excellence.

We will strive to provide facilities, offer programs and develop attitudes towards learning which will reflect our goals in a society increasingly influenced by technological and societal change.

We are committed to the creation of a safe, caring and challenging school culture, in which students can grow and develop their potential as mature learners and responsible citizens.

We, at North Toronto, are convinced that a school works best when stakeholders work in concert. The success that we achieve together is personified in our students and our graduates. That is why we exist. Their success is our success. We are very proud of the deserved reputation for excellence that is North Toronto Collegiate Institute.

Ashley Waltman,
Principal