Introduction

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In a very special way, St. Michael’s Choir School embodies some of the best aspects of both private and public education. In recent years, both the elementary and secondary divisions have ranked at the very top of surveys of the quality of Ontario’s publicly funded schools. In terms of its academic achievement and overall reputation, St. Michael’s Choir School is compared very favorably with some of the most prestigious private schools in the Toronto area.

St. Michael’s Choir School is a unique collaboration between the Archdiocese of Toronto and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. With an enrollment of 280 boys, the school offers a complete curriculum of academic studies for Grades 3 to 12, including French immersion, language, social sciences, mathematics, and science. In addition, through a unique enrichment program, students can broaden their studies beyond the traditional curriculum and classroom setting.

Liturgical music is at the centre of the Choir School — one of only six choir schools in the world affiliated with the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music. Each student participates in one of the school’s four choirs. Every weekend for 10 months of the year, the Junior and Senior choirs (Grades 5 through 12) provide the service music at St. Michael’s Cathedral . All students are also required to study classical piano and theory, and have the option to study a secondary instrument (organ, strings, or guitar).

While meeting the highest standards of the school board and the Ontario Ministry of Education, the curriculum is also distinguished by a strong, supportive sense of community, with individual attention, small class sizes, and a focus on preparing for university entrance. Students learn in ways that are appropriate for their needs. Teachers encourage students to develop skills in critical thinking, creativity, and communication in preparation for a world that rewards analysis, initiative, and leadership.