Monsignor Fraser College

• Locations

• Programs

• History and Tradition

• How We Meet the Diverse Needs of our Students

• Information for Parents

• School News

Campus Locations

The Annex
Entry Age: 16-18                                                                                    
700 Markham Street (Bathurst & Bloor)                               
Head Teacher:  Tim McGrenere                      
Vice-Principal:  Erica Wilson 
Trustee: Jo-Ann Davis                                         
Phone: 416 393-5557    Fax: 416 397-6166

Isabella Campus
Entry Age: 18-20, 21+
146 Isabelle Street (Bloor & Sherbourne)
Vice-Principal: Erica Wilson
Trustee: Jo-Ann Davis
Phone: 416 393-5533    Fax: 416 393-5912

Midland Campus
Entry Age: 18-20, 21+
2900 Midland Avenue (Midland and Finch)
Vice-Principal: Linda Maselli-Jackman
Trustee: Tobias Enverga
Phone: 416-393-5532  Fax: 416-397-6309

Midland North Campus
Entry Age: 16-18
100 Fundy Bay Boulevard
Lead Teacher: Sonia Ognibene
Vice-Principal: Linda Maselli-Jackman
Trustee: Tobias Enverga
Phone: 416-397-6496  Fax: 416-397-6498

• History of school site

Norfinch Campus
Entry Age: 16-20
45 Norfinch Avenue (Highway 400 & Finch)
Vice-Principal: Greg Wilkinson
Trustee: Patrizia Bottoni
Phone: 416-393-5558  Fax: 416-393-5542

Yonge & Lawrence
3335 Yonge Street, Suite 205 (Yonge & Lawrence)
Lead Teacher: Marcia Fantin
Vice-Principal: Erica Wilson
Trustee: Maria Rizzo
Phone: 416-393-5124  Fax: 416-303-5125

Programs

This program is designed to meet the needs of students who are experiencing difficulty achieving success at their present high school.  It offers students a small, personalized environment which recognizes student’s unique learning styles.  Students also have the opportunity to earn two (2) full credits every nine weeks.  Potential students must be referred by their secondary school and complete an academic assessment to determine appropriate programming.

This program is designed to meet the needs of students continuing or returning to secondary education.  It offers students the opportunity to earn two (2) full credits every
nine weeks in a variety of multi-level course offerings.  Each campus offers specific courses to meet community needs.  Students can obtain credits in order to complete
their OSSD requirements or upgrade for their post-secondary pathway.

This program provides students with an opportunity to promote life skills for personal independence, develop work related skills and attitudes, develop a network of
community resources for support and recreation as well as explore alternative strategies for individual learning needs.  From this program, students may transition
to employment, training, college vocational, apprenticeship and volunteerism.

This program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to earn two (2) full credits in a day school program. In addition, English as a Second Language
(ESL) courses are available to students new to Canada to further develop their literacy skills in preparation for post-secondary education or workplace transition. 
All courses lead to the accumulation of credits towards the OSSD.

This program welcomes all students seeking a different approach to learning and earning credits toward a high school diploma. It offers students the opportunity to meet curriculum expectations through community based learning opportunities in the classroom and in the surrounding community.  Curriculum is presented in small modules and intertwined with community-service projects.  A central component of the program is the opportunity for students to re-build a positive relationship with school and learning environments while developing a positive image of themselves as learners.  This program is especially designed to meet the needs of those students who might otherwise become early school leavers.

 C.I.C.O. Education Program
700 Markham Street (Bathurst & Bloor)
Contact Teacher: Mary Delli Colli
Vice-Principal: Erica Wilson
Phone: 416-397-6505  Fax: 416-397-6503
 

History & Tradition

Monsignor Fraser College opened in October 1975 to respond to the needs of adult learners seeking grade 8 standing. Opened with just four students at Albert Campbell Library, it quickly moved to Scarborough Foreign Mission Society quarters and, in recognition for their generous hospitality, the school was named after the founder of the Society, Monsignor John Mary Fraser.

As the program expanded, physically and intellectually challenged adults were added. A variety of TCDSB departments claimed ownership of the program including elementary, continuing education and special curriculum. Students meeting grade 8 standard, began to ask for secondary school credits. These were granted in collaboration with Cardinal Newman High School. Senior level credits were soon needed and as full funding arrived, the Board designated the school as secondary in 1986. In 1988 its first graduates emerged.

From Scarborough beginnings, the school added Toronto campus in 1977, Malvern in 1982, North York in 1984, Parkdale in 1986, ESL Orientation Centre in 1988, La Salle (Alternative) in 1993, Curzon (Alternative) in 1994, and in 1994 merged the two small west end campuses, Parkdale and North into Islington Campus. The Scarborough and Malvern campuses were merged in 2000. Scarborough and Toronto retained, in addition to the adult credit program leading to a high school diploma, a small non-credit 3-year program for intellectually challenged adults.

It is still meeting the urgent need of the day for marginalized adults and teenagers, who have not been successful in the regular system. Many re-entry students and new Canadians from war-torn and other countries, leave staff in no doubt that Fraser College is true mission territory.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Monsignor Fraser College responds to the needs of a diverse population.

• Adults returning to complete their secondary school diploma requirements.

• New Canadians seeking high school completion, skills, English and work experience.

• Intellectually challenged adults seeing the dignity of employment or volunteer work or, in some cases, classroom training for fuller adult living.

• Teenagers experiencing halted learning and at risk of dropping out.

• Teenagers new to Canada seeking orientation, assessment and placement in Toronto Catholic secondary schools and intensive credit courses until placement is achieved.

For all groups, a common need is for confidence, renewed self-esteem, a purpose in life, a fresh start and determination to strive for goals in an atmosphere of non-judgmental acceptance.

Though many are from faiths other than Catholic, the distinctly Catholic environment of the school is respected and welcomed. It is enhanced by an active chaplaincy team, an itinerant chaplain, liturgical celebration, a faith at work cooperative education courses, Gospel values-infused curriculum, and a genuine appreciation of diversity.

The willingness to acknowledge both rights and responsibility is formalized in the mutually agreed on code of behaviour for each group served. Small campuses, an attentive staff as mentors, and generous volunteers help to add a welcoming atmosphere and remove barriers to success. Students respond to a sense of Christian community and are quick to help others in the current crisis of budget cuts. With staff, they have created a breakfast club, food bank, a clearinghouse for information on community resources, and fund-raising projects to subsidize transportation for students experiencing hardship.

Through the action planning committee, impetus is given to encourage staff and student computer literacy. The Catholic School Advisory Committee (including representatives from business, industry, social agencies, higher education, Toronto Catholic District School Board, various government ministries and the school) attempts to smooth transitions through its long term support, linkage to college and university, and employment generation sub-committees. The prior learning assessment courses, offered through guidance in partnership with Seneca College originated from this network.

Regularly curriculum offerings are tested for relevance and for potential to best prepare students for their next step both in skills acquisition and in general education needed to cope.

Community-based learning is important and well planned field trips are frequent. Leadership is recognized and developed through campus and school student councils. Assemblies, an annual Multicultural Festival, College Connections Day, and Fraser games are school-wide showcases of the hopes and talents of our students.
 

Parents in Fraser Community

At Monsignor Fraser College, we value the role of parents and understand the frustrations that can, from time to time, be part of the family dynamic.

We enthusiastically include parents of students under the age of 18 years in the partnership of supporting their sons and daughters and their academic needs. Many of our parents comment on the ongoing feedback they receive from school staff.

Our CSAC (Catholic School Advisory Council) meets monthly and invites all parents and guardians to attend these meetings.  Along with CSAC, we offer parents the opportunity to meet as a group with a family counsellor to share in their challenges and triumphs as parents.  We feel that in community we can truly support our students on the faith and educational journey by providing a setting for parents too to share their experiences.

To find out more, click on the following links:

• CSAC Welcome Letter

• CSAC Meeting Dates 2011-12

• Parents for Youth Meeting Dates 2011-12