Western Technical-Commercial School
Encyclopedia
Western Technical-Commercial School (WTCS) is a high school in the High Park North
neighbourhood of Toronto
, Canada
. It shares the same building with Ursula Franklin Academy
and The Student School
. Originally two schools when it was opened, Western Technical and Western Commercial, the present school is now the product of the merger between the two schools. The main building was constructed in 1927, with the addition being constructed in 1967-1970. The school features such amenities such as a pool and two gyms, a greenhouse, a large library, a media lab, and a large number of computers throughout the building.
Western, commonly referred to as WTCS or Western Tech, offers courses from grade 9 through 12 in Applied, Academic, or Gifted/Enriched levels. There is also a "post graduate" year. The gifted/enriched department is one of many highlights, taken by students who have been identified as gifted or applied as enriched. These students tend to be active leaders in the school.
Western's tech department, one of the top such programs in Toronto, has been part of the school since the beginning and accounts for much of the male population at the school. In 2005, Western was the third school to be designated as a CyberArts School by the Toronto District School Board to serve the southwest quadrant of Toronto. In late 2009, WTCS was designated as a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) school in Manufacturing Technology/Robotics.
WTCS has one of the most diverse student bodies in the TDSB. Over 40% of the student body has a primary language other than English, and this diversity is reflected in the everyday operations of the school. Programs like Friday's Juma Prayer for Muslim students reflect the school's commitment to embracing its multicultural student base as a strength.
High Park North
High Park North, or often, simply 'High Park', after the park, is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is bounded on the south by Bloor Street, on the west by Runnymede Road, on the north by Annette Street, Quebec Avenue and Humberside Avenue, and on the east by the CNR/CPR railway...
neighbourhood 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...
, 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...
. It shares the same building with Ursula Franklin Academy
Ursula Franklin Academy
Ursula Franklin Academy is a high school located in the High Park North neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada. Originally located in the Dufferin-Bloor area at 90 Croatia Street, UFA moved in 2002 to share a building with Western Technical-Commercial School and The Student School. Students can attend...
and The Student School
The Student School
The Student School is an alternative high school in the Toronto District School Board founded in 1979. It has approximately 160 students and generally offers 11th and 12th grade academic courses...
. Originally two schools when it was opened, Western Technical and Western Commercial, the present school is now the product of the merger between the two schools. The main building was constructed in 1927, with the addition being constructed in 1967-1970. The school features such amenities such as a pool and two gyms, a greenhouse, a large library, a media lab, and a large number of computers throughout the building.
Western, commonly referred to as WTCS or Western Tech, offers courses from grade 9 through 12 in Applied, Academic, or Gifted/Enriched levels. There is also a "post graduate" year. The gifted/enriched department is one of many highlights, taken by students who have been identified as gifted or applied as enriched. These students tend to be active leaders in the school.
Western's tech department, one of the top such programs in Toronto, has been part of the school since the beginning and accounts for much of the male population at the school. In 2005, Western was the third school to be designated as a CyberArts School by the Toronto District School Board to serve the southwest quadrant of Toronto. In late 2009, WTCS was designated as a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) school in Manufacturing Technology/Robotics.
WTCS has one of the most diverse student bodies in the TDSB. Over 40% of the student body has a primary language other than English, and this diversity is reflected in the everyday operations of the school. Programs like Friday's Juma Prayer for Muslim students reflect the school's commitment to embracing its multicultural student base as a strength.