Dante Alighieri Academy (Catholic Secondary School)

60 Playfair Avenue, North York, Ontario M6B 2P9 416-393-5522
Beatrice Campus, 640 Lawrence Avenue West, North York, Ontario 416-393-5462

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History & Tradition

Dante Alighieri Academy came into existence in 1974 through a cooperative venture of the local community of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, the Metropolitan Separate School Board (now the Toronto Catholic District School Board), and the Sisters of St. John the Baptist. The school was named after the famous medieval Italian poet, Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), the author of the epic poem, “The Divine Comedy”.

"The Divine Comedy" celebrates Dante's journey of knowledge to God through life: hell, purgatory and paradise. Dante Alighieri Academy continues Dante's Christian philosophy of education which seeks to guide our young people on their academic and spiritual journey.

The Dante Alighieri Academy of 1974 consisted of 180 students, nine teachers, a relocatable and two portables. In 1976 a permanent building was completed and by 1979 the final addition was completed.

Through the years, Dante Alighieri Academy has offered a wide range of programs at the advanced and general levels. The school is also the centre of studies for TCDSB's deaf and hard of hearing students.

The school crest is an artistic amalgamation of symbols. The modern city of Toronto is represented by the CN Tower, our Christian beliefs by the cross and the light of wisdom by the star. The motto reads character, charity, scholarship, service.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Dante Alighieri Academy, having its mandate from Catholic parents and the Catholic Bishops, strives to educate and form its students in the image of Christ to live as believing and compassionate citizens who will leave our community better equipped to function responsibly in a society whose values often run counter to the Gospel.

We make a continuous effort to ensure that every students is able to study in an environment which is safe and welcoming. Student responsibilities to themselves and to the Dante community are clearly set out in the school's code of behaviour.

The individual needs of students are met in a variety of ways:

• Delivery of curriculum in a variety of ways which reflect our sensitivity to the different learning styles of adolescents
• Modification and individualization of teaching and evaluation strategies
• A collaborative approach to the development of education plans for our exceptional students
• The provision and placement of students into the larger community workplace by means of our cooperative education program
• Access to technological studies programs, computer literacy programs and, unique to Dante Alighieri, student access to music technology programs

The following examples of co-curricular activities help to enrich and enhance our school day:

• Chaplaincy team
• Student council
• Spirit club
• Variety night
• Concert band
• Community action (canned food drive)
• Yearbook team
• Debating team
• Peer tutor program
• International night
• Vocal groups

Athletics

• Basketball
• Floor hockey
• Swim team
• Track and field
• Softball
• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Cheerleading team
• Hockey

As the needs of our students change, so will the program at Dante Alighieri Academy be adapted to those needs.

School News

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School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010

Safe School Plan -- 2009-2010

EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics:

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):

The OSSLT shows the extent to which Ontario students are meeting the minimum literacy standard expected by the end of Grade 9. The test assesses the reading and writing skills as they apply to all subjects as out-lined in the Ontario Curriculum. Students must pass the OSSLT as one of the 32 requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.