Western Technical-Commercial School

Western Technical-Commercial School (WTCS) is a high school in the High Park North neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada oversighted by the Toronto District School Board. It shares the same building with Ursula Franklin Academy and The Student School. The school was founded in 1927 and was part of the Toronto Board of Education until 1998.

Western Technical-Commercial School
Address
125 Evelyn Crescent

High Park North, Toronto
,
Ontario
,
M6P 3E3

Canada
Coordinates43.656742°N 79.47506°W / 43.656742; -79.47506
Information
Former namesWestern Branch Technical School
Western High School of Commerce
School typePublic High school
Vocational High school
Founded1927
School boardToronto District School Board
(Toronto Board of Education)
SuperintendentSandy Spyropoulos
LC4, Superintendent
Sandra Tondat
LN19
Area trusteeRobin Pilkey
Ward 7
School number5625 / 951951
PrincipalAnthony Vandyke
Grades9–12
Enrollment1018 (2015-16)[1]
LanguageEnglish
Schedule typeSemestered
Colour(s)Green, White and Black             
NicknameWestern Tech, Western TCS
Team nameWTCS Colts
Websitewww.wtcs.ca

Originally two schools when it was opened, Western Branch Technical School and Western High School of Commerce[2], the present school is now the product of the merger between the two schools.

Western, commonly referred to as WTCS or Western Tech, offers courses from grade 9 through 12 in Applied, Academic, or Gifted/Enriched levels. The gifted/enriched department is one of many highlights, taken by students who have been identified as gifted or applied as enriched.

Origins

The main Collegiate Gothic 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 many computers throughout the building.

Western Technical Commercial school's technology department is one of the top such programs in Toronto. It 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, Design Studio, and Leadership.

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.

Media

The Hidden Agenda is the school's traditional newspaper which reports heavily on student events and is run by students with final approval by the administration.

Athletics

WTCS has a wide variety of teams and intramurals, from the traditional soccer, basketball, hockey, water polo and baseball to ping pong and a Reach for the Top quiz team. Intramurals include floor hockey, volleyball, and basketball, among others. Western has a full size pool, and runs Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses at greatly reduced prices for students of the school. Current aquatics leadership students are welcomed to assist in teaching the program.

Manufacturing Technology/Robotics

Western Technical-Commercial School offers a number of manufacturing technology courses utilizing the schools machine shop facilities. The school also has a successful FIRST Robotics team (865/Warp7).

Notable Alumni

See also

References
  1. "Western Technical-Commercial School Facts and Figures". TDSB. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  2. Hardy, Edwin Austin (1950). Cochrane, Honora M. (ed.). Centennial Story: The Board of Education for the City of Toronto 1850-1950. Toronto, ON: Thomas Nelson & Sons (Canada) Limited.
  3. "Humberside Collegiate grad is now all-time OHL win leader among goaltenders". Inside Toronto. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
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