C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute is a semestered public secondary school in the Keele and Finch area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
History
The school was founded in 1965. It was named after Charles William Jefferys, a Canadian artist whose work has contributed much to education in the areas of Canadian History and Art. The first Head of the Art Department was James Meechan, a stained glass artist.
Graduation rates at the school, which had been low, improved significantly after 2015, when, as part of a school board pilot project, grade 9 and 10 classes were destreamed to create more flexibility for students."Stop ‘streaming’ students in Grade 9: Editorial". Toronto Star. October 9, 2015 Principal Monday Gala was later recognized as an outstanding educator for this initiative."North York educators named Canada’s Outstanding Principals". Mar 02, 2017 by Fannie Sunshine North York Mirror"Education ministry announces equity action plan". Sep 07, 2017 by Jason Spencer. Mississauga News
Academics The school offers a Visual Arts Program which draws students from the neighbouring school area; many of the teaching staff for this program are practicing artists. Additionally, it is home to the ESTeM Enriched Science, Technology and Mathematics Program; a project-based, hands-on, exploratory approach to Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Technology."Dr. Monday Gala – School principal recognized for leadership". Black Ottawa Scene, February 12, 2017
The school participates in York University's Advanced Credit Experience (ACE) program, which provides co-operative learning experiences in the community."High school students complete ACE program at York". yFile, March 28, 2018
The school also runs student success initiatives supporting "at risk" students through the Learning to 18 pilot project, "Stay Connected", mentorship"Blue skies ahead for teen thanks to mentorship program". Toronto Star, By Louise Brown, June 13, 2016 and the credit recovery program offered at the school."Tragedy gives rise to transformation at Toronto high school". Globe and Mail, Kate Allen, June 18, 2010 There is also an after-school activity program and a Focus on Youth summer job program."Drake drops in at C.W. Jefferys". Aug 11, 2010. North York Mirror
The academic and student support initiatives have resulted in an increasing number of students securing bursaries or scholarships for post-secondary education.
Athletics Badminton (Co-ed) Baseball (Boys) Basketball (Boys)"'I was in the zone': Toronto high school basketball player scores 103 points". Kendra Mangione, CTV Vancouver, December 18, 2015"Mentoring youth through basketball". Downsview Advocate, June 7, 2014 Heroes (Co-ed) Chess Cricket (Girls) Cross Country (Co-ed) Football (Boys) Soccer (Girls & boys)"Scholarship rewards ‘inspirational’ C.W. Jefferys graduate". Dec 03, 2012 by LISA QUEEN North York Mirror Softball (Girls) [Upcoming] Swimming (Co-ed) Track & Field (Co-ed) Ultimate Frisbee (Co-ed) Volleyball (Girls, boys & co-ed) Wrestling (Co-ed)
Extra Curricular Club Boundless Adventures Choir Drumline Ecological team Equity Gay-Straight Alliance Jazz band Rock band Robotics Leaders Today Go LOCAL Chess club Generation Change Prom Committee Welcoming Committee STARS
Notable alumni Gabe Gala, Canadian soccer player Paul Nguyen, Canadian politician, filmmaker and social activist Paul Godfrey, former chairman of Metropolitan Toronto"When Canadian Newspaper Publishers were King". Reed W. Turcotte. page 232 Luther Brown, choreographer/judge on So You Think You Can Dance Canada Jully Black, award-winning Juno Award winner for Canadian R&B Artist Tom Rakocevic, Member of Provincial Parliament for Humber River-Black Creek since 2018
Incidents In May 2007, 15-year-old Jordan Manners was shot and killed in a hallway of the school, marking the first fatal school shooting in Toronto. Two 17-year-olds were charged for the shooting, but the case remains unsolved.
In 2017, a student who was on an overnight trip to Algonquin Park drowned after being allowed to participate in water activities. It is believed that the student in question did not pass the required swimming test."Teen who died in Algonquin Park during TDSB canoe trip didn't pass swim test". Alexandra Sienkiewicz · CBC News · Aug 16, 2017"Nicholas Mills Charged In 2017 Drowning Death Of Jeremiah Perry At Provincial Park". Huffington Post, July 26, 2018.
See also Education in Ontario List of secondary schools in Ontario List of school related attacks
References
External links C. W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute at the Toronto District School Board website