Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton
Catholic Secondary School (secondary)

1515 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6P 1A3

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History & Tradition

Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School began its history as two schools merged in September 1988. The Merton traditions of 35 years joined with the new school of Bishop Marrocco. Two hundred and fifty Marrocco students met 500 Merton students and 350 grade 9 Marrocco/Merton students who filled the building with bursting energy for starting something new, something amazing. This merger brought forth a school dedicated to Catholic principles and the spiritual, as well as the academic development of our students.

The lives of Marrocco & Merton both have given excellent examples for our school to follow. Bishop Marrocco created the Institute For Social Action and was also the chairperson of the Ecumenical Committee on Housing through which he brought assistance and support to a large number of immigrant families. We continue to welcome and support the new, and more established immigrants in our community. Our school has a rich multicutural population which contributes to our focus on justice for all. As a school we have taken on Marrocco's spirit for social action as witnessed in our yearly social justice week. At the same time we look to Thomas Merton as an example of a man with a deep spiritual life. As a Trappist monk, prayer, silence and contemplation were his daily bread, but he also wrote extensively about his vision of world peace. He wrote of God's love and love of neighbour while he attacked social prejudice and injustice. As a school we take up Merton's challenge to discover what he calls our “true self” and to recognize our students' precious dignity as human persons created in God's image. He calls us to be people who bring Jesus' peace, love and truth to those we meet each day.

Finally, as the history of our school evolves, the staff and students at Marrocco/Merton are committed to creating a Christian atmosphere, which encourages each of us to “act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God.”

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton is a multicultural co-educational Catholic secondary school which provides challenging educational opportunities to all of our students. Throughout the educational process, our students are encouraged and challenged to grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically within the framework of a Catholic community.

With the leadership given by our namesakes, Bishop Francis Marrocco, whose involvement with social action and the well-being of families is an example to all of us, along with the deep spirituality of Thomas Merton, our community has two excellent models to emulate.

A full academic program is offered at the three levels of difficulty. In addition, a gifted program and a program for multiple exceptionality and developmentally delayed students are available.

The grade 9 program ensures a focus on students acquiring the skills and attitudes necessary for further academic success and to become life-long learners.

At the grade 9 level we run a one-to-one reading program which helps our incoming students who have reading and writing difficulties. Senior students are also given the opportunity to tutor the junior students. This valuable experience helps the senior students successfully gain access to education programs at the post-secondary level.

The Arts School @ Marrocco houses a comprehensive secondary school arts program.  The new arts focused curriculum was introduced by the Toronto Catholic District School Board in the fall of 2004. For more information, visit the School-designed Website

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