Weston Collegiate Institute

Weston Collegiate Institute (Weston C.I., WCI, Weston) is a Grade 9 to 12 public high school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was formerly known by its previous names of Weston Grammar School, Weston High School, Weston High and Vocational School and Weston Collegiate and Vocational School. It is located in the York South-Weston area. It is the second oldest high school in Toronto, after Jarvis Collegiate Institute. Weston CI is located on 100 Pine Street and has a student population of about 1043.

History

Weston Collegiate Institute holds the distinction of being the second-oldest secondary school in Toronto and the oldest in the former City of York, having been established in 1857 as ''Weston Grammar School''. The school's activities and scholarships are supported by the Weston's Alumni Foundation. The school was renamed to ''Weston High School'' in 1871, then ''Weston High and Vocational School'' in 1922, and lastly to ''Weston Collegiate and Vocational School'' in 1939 before adopting its present name in 1965.

WCI displays an international focus as the student body representing over 80 countries in the world. The diversity within WCI is reflected in its school activities and clubs.http://www.tdsb.on.ca/schools/index.asp?schno=6988 The school also strives to meet the needs of all students, with programs that prepare students for universities, colleges, and skills trade that lead to work or apprenticeship.

The original school building on King Street was built in 1858 and was replaced in January 1876 after the fire burned the original school on March 23, 1875. The enlarged school, Collegiate Gothic, designed by architect Stephen Burwell Coon, was built in 1913 facing William Street with six classrooms, an office, a science lab and an gymnatorium. In 1952-53, the building gained additional features such as more classrooms, auditorium, cafeteria, library, gymnasium, offices and music room. The school's modern facility was constructed in 1968 in the old track and field and was opened in September 1970. The brutalist building includes a library, auditorium, a large indoor pool, a full-sized field with surrounding track, a double gymnasium and a fitness/weight room.

In 2017, the school celebrated its 160th anniversary.

International Baccalaureate program

The International Baccalaureate Program (also known as the IB Program) is a holistic, world-renowned Graduate Diploma recognized by universities internationally. It was introduced by then IB Coordinator, Mr. Gary Hophan, in March 1994 to Weston. The present coordinator is Ms. Anne Dale. All the teachers are specially selected and trained to support the International Baccalaureate program.

The process of applying involves a personal essay about a quote of some sort and successful essays' applicants will then be called in for an interview. Judged on both assessments (and a completed application package which involves report cards, etc.) the applicant will be given or rejected a spot in the program. The interview typically lasts 20–30 minutes and admission is given on the spot. Admission is usually highly selective and only 90 spots are available per year.

The IB Program at Weston Collegiate Institute is taught in English and taken in the latter two years of high school (i.e. Grades 11 and 12). However, due to its rigorous nature, Weston Collegiate Institute offers the Preparatory International Baccalaureate Program (also known as the Pre-IB Program) to students. The Pre-IB Program is largely recommended to students, but entry into the IB program without Pre-IB may be accepted. All IB courses are offered at the enriched level, which greatly exceeds the expectations of the Ontario Secondary School curriculum. By Grade 12, all students study at the university-level, leading some universities to offer advanced standing for Higher Level subjects.

Students who are enrolled in the IB program receive both the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma upon successful completion. Students are expected to study 3 subjects at the Higher Level (HL) and 3 at the Standard Level (SL). Students may also opt to complete 4 HL and 2 SL subjects if they wish although it is not recommended due to the potential for the exorbitant workload Successful completion of the IB program entails receiving passing grades on all written IB examinations, the Theory of Knowledge essay, and the Extended Essay, as well as 150 hours of volunteered community involvement in three areas (i.e. creativity, action, service; also known as CAS hours). In their final year, students write the official IB exams in May.

All IB students from Weston Collegiate Institute are accepted to their first choice universities and are offered substantial scholarships. In fact, the IB Department at Weston Collegiate Institute provides a number of IB Scholarships for outstanding IB students. Recipients are nominated by IB teachers, administrators, or students and selected by a committee of 5 members (i.e. IB Coordinator, 3 teachers, IB Parent Council parent representatives). The IB Scholarships are broken into the following categories: IB Ideal, Leadership, Most Improved, Creativity, Service, Academic.

Each year, the Grade 12 students, with the help of the IB Coordinator, organize a 3-day trip to Algonquin Park which includes the newly arrived Grade 9's. The purpose of this trip is to help the new students transition to high school and to foster a sense of community. Weston also offers IB tutoring by advanced students to support new students academically. Furthermore, the IB Department, which includes the students, teachers, and coordinator, organizes an annual IB Multicultural Evening and Fundraiser to raise money to support the IB Scholarships and the Annual Algonquin Park trip. Many Weston Collegiate Institute IB Alumni and their friends and family are invited to this event.

Current IB subjects offered

In order to graduate as a diploma student, an IB candidate must take one (or two) science course(s), one math course, and one higher-level English course, Theory of Knowledge, as well as one secondary language (only French is offered at Weston).

''Experimental Sciences''
*Biology HL
*Biology SL
*Chemistry HL
*Chemistry SL
*Physics SL

''Mathematics''
*Math Studies SL
*Mathematics SL

''Languages A1, A2, B''
*English A1 HL (required)
*French B HL
*French B SL

''Individuals and Societies''
*Socio-Cultural Anthropology HL
*Socio-Cultural Anthropology SL
*Information Technology in a Global Society SL
*Information Technology in a Global Society HL
*Theory of Knowledge (ToK; required)

Athletics

* Cricket (indoors and outdoors)
* Football
* Basketball
* Soccer (indoors and outdoors)
* Baseball
* Golf
* Swimming

* Badminton
* Rugby
* Ice Hockey
* Volleyball (Co-ed)

* Cross-Country
* Track and Field
* Softball
* Slo-pitchhttp://www.tdsb.on.ca/MOSS/asp_apps/school_landing_page/pdfs/AlsoOffers/6988.pdf

Arts

* Dance Club
* Dramatic Arts Festivals
* Live Production/Plays
* Talent Shows
* Music Concert/Performances

* Computer/Graphic Arts
* Film/Video Workshops
* Media Art
* Photography

* Choir
* Ensemble
* Jazz Band
* Orchestra
* Strings

Other recreational/co-curricular activities

* Student Activity Council (SAC)
* Weston Heritage Club (WHC)
* French Club
* Queer Straight Alliance (QSA)
* Spanish Club
* ESL Club
* Sound, Light and Stage Crew Club
* Chess Club
* HSERT (High School Emergency Response Team)

* Student Newspaper Club
* Yearbook Club
* Weston Ambassadors
* Best Buddies
* Robotics Club
* Computer Club/Team
* Weight Training Club
* Weston Heritage Club
* Dominoes Club

* Athletic Council
* Future Aces
* GO Club
* Student Council
* Truth and Recoconciliation Committee
* Music Council
* Black Student Union
* Weston Cares for Children
* Eco Club (Highly esteemed and respected extra-curricular within the school)
* Christian Club

Community

''Fundraisers''
* Terry Fox Run
* UNICEF
* United Way
* CN Tower Climb
* 30 Hour Famine
* Canadian Cancer Society
* Free the Children

''Caring''
* Blood Drive
* Parenting Education in the Classroom
* Settlement Education Partnership Toronto (SEPT)
* Somali Youth Association of Toronto(SOYAT)
* Women's Habitat

''Safe & Caring Schools''
* Empowered Student Partnerships (ESP)
* Kids Help Phone
* Let's Stop the Bullying: Bully Prevention Program
* Me to We
* Parks and Recreation After school program
* Recognition Assemblies
* Recognition Awards Program
* Restorative Justice
* YOUCAN: Team Toronto, Peace Builders

Notable faculty

* Bob Nadin – Ice hockey referee, and IIHF Hall of Fame inductee

Notable alumni

* Esmond Butler – private secretary of Governor General (1954-1984), received Order of Canada in 1986
*Ed Chadwick – former goaltender with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins
*Sir James Alexander Lougheed – Northwest Territories/Alberta senator and federal cabinet minister
*Carline Muir – track and field athlete, competed in 2008 Beijing Olympics
*William Paris – fighter pilot and trainer of pilots, receive the Order of Canada in 1989
* Vera Peters – medical doctor, received Order of Canada in 1975
*Bob Pulford – NHL hockey player
*Sinclair Stevens (1927–2016) – lawyer, businessman and Federal Cabinet minister
*Carole Taylor – former Chair of the Board of Directors of the CBC and politician
*Elwy Yost (1925–2011) – TV Ontario movie reviewer

See also

*List of high schools in Ontario

References

Listed among "top 75 schools" by the University of Toronto 1996 Ontario Biology Competition


* ttp://www.toronto.ca/health/itds/itds_newsletter_spring2005.htm participated in 2000 Toronto "In the Driver's seat" safety program
Student received a 1996 Canada Governor General's Academic Medal (Bronze)

Student received a 1994 Canada Governor General's Academic Medal (Bronze)

External links

Weston C.I. Official site

Weston Alumni Foundation Official site

Weston CI TDSB Site

International Baccalaureate listing

{{Toronto High Schools

Schools in the TDSB
High schools in Toronto
International Baccalaureate schools in Ontario
Educational institutions established in 1857
1857 establishments in Ontario