Curious about a place where tradition meets innovation? That’s West Hill Collegiate Institute. It stands as a public high school in eastern Scarborough. Known locally as West Hill CI or WHCI, it’s part of the Toronto District School Board.
West Hill Collegiate Institute first opened its doors on September 6 1955. The school was named after the West Hill community. Its motto “Surgo in Lucem” means “I rise into the light”. This reflects the school’s commitment to growth and enlightenment.
Before West Hill, students in this area went to Scarborough Collegiate Institute. But population growth demanded a new school. Construction began in 1954. The staff was ready by May. The Scarborough Board of Education acquired more land for the school. West Hill Collegiate Institute was the fourth high school in Scarborough.
Initially, West Hill Collegiate Institute had 25 staff members and 376 students. Harvey A.C. Farrow was the first principal. Francis S. Jennings served as vice-principal. The architectural firm Carter Coleman and Rankin Associates designed the original building. The official opening took place on December 14 1955.
The original West Hill Collegiate Institute building had 27 classrooms. It also featured a library, a main office, a gymnatorium and a cafeteria. Expansion followed. Twelve more classrooms were added in 1959. An auditorium came in 1963. A second gymnasium and swimming pool were built in 1971. By 1977, West Hill had 2131 students and 100 teachers. Today, West Hill can accommodate up to 1407 students.
West Hill is near Kingston Road and Morningside Avenue. Houses are to the west. Highland Creek is to the north and east. It is next to Morningside Park. The University of Toronto Scarborough and Centennial College are nearby.
West Hill shares a design with Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute. Renovations in the 1970s added 50 classrooms. There are now four gymnasiums. The library is named after H.A.C. Farrow. The Drama Department has two studios. Workshop rooms and a quad offer creative learning spaces. The area’s revival took over a decade. It won environmental awards. Visual arts students use it as working grounds. The school has a swimming pool in its southwest wing.
West Hill has a student-run Athletic Council. It organizes school spirit events. It also plans the Athletic Banquet and intramural sports.
The Drama Department enters the Ontario Sears Drama Festival. Every winter, they put on a play. West Hill has a concert band. It has competed in music competitions since the 1980s. The Music Department holds two annual concerts. One is in winter and one in spring.
The Student Activity Council plans events. These include Grade 9 Orientation Day and Prom. Students elect SAC members every June. Prefects are students in grades 10 to 12. Teachers select them. They volunteer at school events.
West Hill Collegiate Institute has clubs for various cultures. These include the Desi Club and the Muslim Student Association. The Multicultural Committee plans Food Fiestas and Multicultural Night.
West Hill offers Advanced Placement courses. These are in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology and Physics. They prepare students for university. The Physics Club attends McMaster University’s Science Olympics. The Robotics Club once competed in FIRST Robotics Competitions.
Numerous notable people attended West Hill Collegiate Institute. These include singer The Weeknd and novelist Joan Barfoot. Basketball players Rowan Barrett and Denham Brown are alumni. So are Sony Music Canada president Denise Donlon and playwright Norm Foster. NHL players Al Secord and Chris Stewart also went to West Hill.
West Hill Collegiate Institute stands as a testament to community growth. Its motto inspires students to rise into the light. From its humble beginnings to its present-day programs, West Hill has a rich history.