Have you ever wondered about the secrets held within the walls of a grand old school? Northern Secondary School stands proudly at 851 Mount Pleasant Road. It’s a majestic building a testament to the past. This isn’t just any high school. Northern Secondary School boasts a rich history dating back to 1930. Originally known as Northern Vocational School it later became Northern Technical-Commercial before settling on its current name. This reflects its evolution from a vocational focus to a comprehensive secondary school.
The school’s Collegiate Gothic architecture is breathtaking. C E C Dyson the school board’s architect from 1921 to 1949 designed it. The building features stunning grotesques on the exterior. These are strange and wonderful carvings. You can find them throughout the entrance foyer and inside the auditorium. The vaulted ceilings arched doorways and windows further enhance the Gothic style. A major addition in the 1960s altered the rear. It didn’t detract from the original building’s beauty though. Despite its age Northern Secondary School has faced challenges. Over the decades the facility has fallen into disrepair. It is in need of extensive renovation.
But Northern Secondary School is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place of learning and achievement. It was the first Ontario school to have a student council. That’s a fact not many people know. Northern is also a pilot site for a Toronto Police Service program. This program places on-duty officers in schools. The school has faced challenges. In 2016 a bomb threat led to an evacuation. Fortunately no explosive devices were found. The school also endured closures during the COVID-19 pandemic like all schools in Ontario.
Academics at Northern Secondary School are exceptional. The school offers a gifted program a range of electives and a strong art department. Students have won numerous national and international awards. These include the NASA space settlement competition the World Debates at Oxford and a Canadian Association of Physicists contest. The school’s debate team even holds the OSDU provincial debate championship title.
Northern Secondary School’s athletic programs are equally impressive. The school has over 50 varsity teams. The football team the Red Knights have won numerous titles in Toronto’s high school league. Many alumni have gone on to play professionally in various leagues including the Canadian Football League the National Hockey League and even the Rugby World Cup. The school’s contributions extend beyond academics and sports. Northern has a long history of supporting charities. For over 40 years the school has participated in United Way fundraisers for poverty alleviation. For many years it was the top fundraiser among Toronto high schools.
Northern Secondary School’s legacy is impressive. It has produced an Academy Award winner a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and Order of Canada recipients. Its alumni also include a Spitfire pilot instrumental in the Great Escape and a prominent Hebrew Bible scholar. Even the renowned painter Lawren P Harris once taught at Northern Vocational School. Northern Secondary School is more than just a school. It’s a vibrant community a place of learning and a significant part of Toronto’s history.