Behold St. Mary Catholic Academy a beacon of faith and learning. Founded in 1982 by the Faithful Companions of Jesus this school has a rich history. Initially it was known as Brother Edmund Rice Annex. It occupied a single floor in the J.J. McGrand Catholic Elementary School. Imagine just one hundred and fifty ninth-graders filling that space.
In 1984 a significant change occurred. J.J. McGrand closed and St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School was formally established. The student body grew to four hundred and fifty. The Faithful Companions of Jesus continued their mission here. They nurtured young lives with a Christian presence.
Between 1998 and 1999 the Metropolitan Separate School Board underwent reorganization. St. Mary’s became part of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. This transition marked a new chapter in the school’s journey.
More change was on the horizon. In June 2001 Brother Edmund Rice closed its doors. Fifty students from that school integrated into St. Mary’s. This merger enriched the St. Mary Catholic Academy community.
A pivotal moment arrived in 2014. St. Mary’s began offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. It became the TCDSB’s central IB World School. This marked an intensified pursuit of academic excellence. Consequently in 2016 the school was renamed St. Mary Catholic Academy.
Today St. Mary Catholic Academy stands as the only anglophone high school in Dufferin Grove. This is after the closures of Brocktown High School and Bloor Collegiate Institute. It is a testament to its enduring presence.
The school’s motto is “That they may have life”. This reflects its commitment to nurturing the spiritual and religious development of its students. Daily prayers regular school masses and liturgies are integral to this commitment.
St. Mary Catholic Academy boasts a dedicated Student Success Team. It supports at-risk students. The team bridges the gap between elementary and secondary school. It provides academic and emotional support.
The school offers a diverse range of courses. Students can explore the arts modern languages and technology. A Specialist High Skills Major in Transportation Technology is also available. This allows students interested in the automotive industry to deepen their understanding.
Extracurricular activities thrive here. Students compete in sports like soccer track and field volleyball and basketball. Artistic talents are showcased through dramatic productions band and choir performances and art showings.
St. Mary Catholic Academy instills Gospel values. It provides volunteer opportunities to work with the less fortunate. The school promotes responsibility respect civility and academic excellence. It strives to create a safe learning and teaching environment.
As you stand before St. Mary Catholic Academy remember its commitment. It is committed to nurturing the whole person. Intellectually physically socially emotionally and spiritually. The school empowers students to become apostles. They use their gifts to serve others and transform society.