Did you know that the University of Toronto Schools boasts two Nobel Prize laureates among its alumni? Standing before this impressive building you’re looking at a place steeped in history. The University of Toronto Schools isn’t just a school it’s a legacy. Founded in 1910 as a “practice school” or laboratory school for the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Education UTS aimed to be a model. The original plan was ambitious. They envisioned at least two schools one for girls and one for boys. They wanted to recruit 200 teachers and 1200 students. Financial constraints however limited the initial enrolment to 375 boys.
But even with fewer students UTS made its mark. Its early years saw success on the ice. The school’s junior ice hockey team played in the Ontario Hockey Association. They even won the J Ross Robertson Cup in 1919. That same year the Memorial Cup was established as Canada’s junior hockey championship. UTS competed as the Eastern Canada representative defeating Regina Patricias in two games. One player Dunc Munro went on to play in the National Hockey League.
On the field UTS also excelled. In 1925 Mike Rodden coached the rugby team to an undefeated season. They became Canadian Interscholastic Champions. The school’s history isn’t just about athletic achievements though. It’s also a story of academic excellence and student activism. Before the 1960s students had to take matriculation exams to graduate. UTS students consistently excelled winning thirteen Prince of Wales Scholarships. But these same students also protested. They challenged the system advocating for change. This discontent culminated in the “Protest for Nothing” in 1969. Students held blank placards. Their message was clear. They demanded change. This made headlines in Toronto and even the New York Times.
The 1960s brought significant changes. The school introduced a “New Program” focusing on completing subject units instead of matriculation exams. They also shortened the school year from five to four years. The school also saw the establishment of a House System. Three of the four houses were named after its first three headmasters Crawford Althouse and Lewis. The fourth house Cody was named after a former University of Toronto president. In 1973 UTS became co-educational. This decision followed years of pressure from the government and the University of Toronto. The first co-educational classes were small just 70 students. In spite of initial concerns about the impact on athletics the junior girls basketball team won a city title in 1978.
The University of Toronto Schools has faced challenges. In 2011 the University of Toronto initially planned to reclaim the UTS property. However after negotiations a 50-year agreement was reached. UTS would remain on its Bloor Street campus. A major redevelopment project followed. The project involved building a new 700-seat auditorium a double gym a light-filled atrium and a black box theatre. The redevelopment also created new science labs a media lab an innovation lab and updated visual arts rooms. The University of Toronto Schools temporarily relocated to 30 Humbert Street while the renovations took place. It returned to its renovated Bloor Street location in April 2022. This impressive building you see today stands as a testament to the school’s enduring legacy of academic excellence and innovation. The University of Toronto Schools truly is a unique institution.