Did you spot the abundance of oak trees? That’s how De La Salle College Oaklands got its name.
Welcome to De La Salle College Oaklands. It is an independent Catholic school. The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools runs it. Here, education follows the Roman Catholic tradition founded by Jean-Baptiste de la Salle. He established it in Reims, France, in 1679.
Now, let’s dive into the story of this esteemed college. De La Salle College Oaklands has a rich history. It was founded even before Canada’s Confederation in 1851. The Brothers of the Christian Schools have always administered it. They are part of a global network. This network includes over 73000 lay colleagues. Together, they educate over 900000 students across more than 80 countries.
The Brothers arrived in Montreal in 1837. They established the first permanent Lasallian community in North America. Bishop Charbonnel requested five Brothers to come to Toronto in 1851. They started a grammar school at Lombard and Jarvis Streets. Later, in 1863, they opened their own secondary school on Jarvis Street. It was originally named the Christian Brothers Commercial Academy.
In 1871, they moved the school to Duke Street. The name changed to De La Salle Institute. Twenty years later, they expanded to include secondary education. The name then became De La Salle College in 1880. This happened when they added university entrance courses.
In 1913, De La Salle College acquired part of the building at 67 Bond Street. In 1925, the senior section moved to De La Salle Moore Park. Finally, in 1932 and 1933, those classes moved to the Oaklands campus.
Speaking of Oaklands, it was once part of the Crown lands. These lands were deeded to John Elmsley in 1798. In 1858, Senator John Macdonald bought 35 acres from the Anglican Church. He built what is now the Brothers’ residence. He named the property “Oaklands” because of the many oak trees. Construction of Macdonald’s mansion began in 1860. It included a tower observatory for views of Lake Ontario. The City of Toronto has designated the Oaklands mansion as a historical building.
The Brothers of the Christian Schools bought 12 acres of the property in 1931. They transformed it into a boys’ school. Brother Alfred was crucial in acquiring the property. He became the school’s first Director and Principal. In its first year, De La Salle College Oaklands had 270 students.
In 1967, a significant change occurred. Grades nine and ten came under the Metropolitan Separate School Board. By 1987, the MSSB controlled the entire high school.
In 1989, a flood caused major damage to the main building. In 1993, the school considered leaving the MSSB. Finally, in 1994, De La Salle College Oaklands re-privatized. It reopened as an independent, co-educational, university preparatory school.
Today, De La Salle College Oaklands continues its tradition. It provides numerous bursaries and scholarships. This ensures access for students from all backgrounds.
The Oaklands campus boasts several key areas. There is the Main Building. It houses classrooms, administration, the auditorium, the gymnasium, and the chapel. There is also the Innovation Centre. The center includes science labs, a computer lab, and a robotics workshop. The Oaklands Stadium provides space for outdoor activities.
De La Salle College Oaklands has a tradition of athletic success. They have won city and provincial championships in hockey and football. The college also hosts the Brother Arthur Tournament. It is an annual invitational hockey tournament.
The school’s student paper, Oak Leaves, began in 1938. It continues to provide commentary on school events. The Oaklands Cadets, formed in 1911, offer a leadership program for students. The De La Salle Drum and Bugle Corps entertained crowds with modern music.
Many notable alumni have walked these halls. They include NHL players, politicians, and even actor Keanu Reeves.
De La Salle College Oaklands stands as a beacon of education and tradition. Its history and values continue to shape future generations.