R. H. King Academy
Encyclopedia
R. H. King Academy, formerly named R. H. King Collegiate Institute and Scarborough High School, is a secondary school
located in the Scarborough
district of Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
and is part of the Toronto District School Board
. The school was founded in 1922 as Scarborough High School and became R. H. King Collegiate Institute in 1954, named after the school's first principal Reginald H. King. The school was later given the status of an academy in 1989. It was the first secondary school built in the region of what was then known as the township of Scarborough and second-oldest surviving institution in the Scarborough district, after Agincourt Collegiate Institute
. The school has students from grades 9 to 12.
R. H. King Academy has won three Canada Awards for Excellence from the National Quality Institute. Feeder school
s for R. H. King Academy are John A. Leslie Public School, Bliss Carman Senior Public School, Robert Service Senior Public School and Anson Park Public School.
King students are set higher standards for community service hours than that mandated by the province high school students. They are assigned Independent Study Unit (ISU) projects throughout the semester, and are obliged to complete a minimum of 75 hours of community service versus the normal TDSB level of 40 hours; students in the Leadership strand are required to complete 100 hours. R.H. King Academy also honors students who have an annual 80% average, and awards a Gold K to students maintaining an 85% annual average.
One notable graduate is named Drew Samuels who excelled in both academics and sports. Upon graduation, he received the David Saine Award for Excellence.
Students are encouraged to take part in leadership groups and teams, where they fund and become involved in various causes and events throughout the community. Recently, R.H. King leadership groups are involved in the following events:
In addition, funds raised during events like the Multi-cultural night are contributed often to support causes and charities around the world.
R. H. King Academy is one of the few schools in Canada that has its own official (granted by the Governor General of Canada) coat of arms
. Created during the 2002/2003 academic year in conjunction with the school's 80th anniversary with the principal design work done by S. Bolter, one of the art teachers teaching at the institution, its symbols are designed to signify the core values of the Academy:
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
located in the Scarborough
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
district of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and is part of the Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board, also known by the acronym TDSB, is the English-language public school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
. The school was founded in 1922 as Scarborough High School and became R. H. King Collegiate Institute in 1954, named after the school's first principal Reginald H. King. The school was later given the status of an academy in 1989. It was the first secondary school built in the region of what was then known as the township of Scarborough and second-oldest surviving institution in the Scarborough district, after Agincourt Collegiate Institute
Agincourt Collegiate Institute
Agincourt Collegiate Institute is a secondary school located in Agincourt, Toronto, Ontario. The school, founded in 1915 as Agincourt Continuation School, became Agincourt High School in 1954, and Agincourt Collegiate Institute in 1957. A.C.I is the oldest school in the former Scarborough...
. The school has students from grades 9 to 12.
R. H. King Academy has won three Canada Awards for Excellence from the National Quality Institute. Feeder school
Feeder school
Feeder school is a name applied to schools, colleges, universities, or other educational institutions that provide a significant number of graduates who intend to continue their studies at specific schools, or even in specific fields....
s for R. H. King Academy are John A. Leslie Public School, Bliss Carman Senior Public School, Robert Service Senior Public School and Anson Park Public School.
Building
The building design of R. H. King Academy has changed significantly. The structure was initially built in the shape of an "H" when seen from the air. The auditorium of the school was later demolished after it was destroyed by fire. The school's current west-portion was built in 1954 as renovation after the fire, changing the school from its original "H" shape. The original library which was located on the top floor was later relocated into the newly-built west portion.Academics
R. H. King has a distinctive choice of courses and teams in which students can be involved. It also has "clinic periods", when students can sign out from regular classes with the appropriate authorization for remedial or enrichment activities with other teachers with whom they are currently taking courses. Students are also offered 20 minutes in the day to read, from 10:30 am – 10:50 am, called "King Reads".King students are set higher standards for community service hours than that mandated by the province high school students. They are assigned Independent Study Unit (ISU) projects throughout the semester, and are obliged to complete a minimum of 75 hours of community service versus the normal TDSB level of 40 hours; students in the Leadership strand are required to complete 100 hours. R.H. King Academy also honors students who have an annual 80% average, and awards a Gold K to students maintaining an 85% annual average.
One notable graduate is named Drew Samuels who excelled in both academics and sports. Upon graduation, he received the David Saine Award for Excellence.
Students are encouraged to take part in leadership groups and teams, where they fund and become involved in various causes and events throughout the community. Recently, R.H. King leadership groups are involved in the following events:
- Red Ribbon Campaign for HIV and AIDS awareness, prevention, and treatment
- Events to recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Racial DiscriminationInternational Day for the Elimination of Racial DiscriminationThe International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws...
(March 21) - Daffodil Campaign for the Canadian Cancer Society
- Hoops for Heart Fund-raiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of CanadaHeart and Stroke Foundation of CanadaThe Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is a registered Canadian charity. The foundation's purpose is centered around educating individuals about the prevention and management of heart disease and stroke, and to fund medical research regarding the causes of these conditions...
- Relay for LifeRelay For LifeRelay For Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries. Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace...
for the Canadian Cancer SocietyCanadian Cancer SocietyThe Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based charitable organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of those living with the disease.... - 30 Hour Famine for World VisionWorld VisionWorld Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
- Vow of Silence for Free the ChildrenFree The ChildrenFree The Children is an international charity and youth movement founded in 1995 by children's rights advocate Craig Kielburger. The organization is largely youth-funded, based on the concept of "children helping children." It specializes in sustainable development in countries of Kenya, Ecuador,...
- Brick by Brick Campaign for Free the ChildrenFree The ChildrenFree The Children is an international charity and youth movement founded in 1995 by children's rights advocate Craig Kielburger. The organization is largely youth-funded, based on the concept of "children helping children." It specializes in sustainable development in countries of Kenya, Ecuador,...
In addition, funds raised during events like the Multi-cultural night are contributed often to support causes and charities around the world.
Coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
. Created during the 2002/2003 academic year in conjunction with the school's 80th anniversary with the principal design work done by S. Bolter, one of the art teachers teaching at the institution, its symbols are designed to signify the core values of the Academy:
- The arches - a historical symbol of the school. The arches is the only remaining part of the original 1922 building that still stands on the front lawn of the school.
- Trillium flowers - representing the province of OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. - Chestnuts - a symbol of knowledge.
- Bluffs/Water - signifying its location and proximity to the Scarborough BluffsScarborough BluffsThe Scarborough Bluffs is an escarpment in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Forming much of the eastern portion of Toronto's waterfront, it is located along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. At its highest point, the escarpment rises above its foot and spans a length of...
- Lions - The mascot of the school is Kingsley, a lion. It also represents pride and ties to the British lion.
- DILIGIMUS, QUAERIMUS, SERVIMUS - The school's motto, in Latin (We Care, We Strive, We Serve).