Father Henry Carr
Catholic Secondary School (secondary)
Congregated Advanced Placement Regional Centre

1760 Martin Grove, Etobicoke M9V 3S4

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History & Tradition

Founded in 1974 by the Basilian Fathers, Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School is a co-educational, semestered school located in northwest Etobicoke. The area is a residential neighbourhood with a Catholic Elementary School (St. Dorothy), a hospital (Etobicoke General), and a community college (Humber College) in close proximity. The housing around the school includes individual dwellings and town-homes. The school has a longstanding partnership with St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, the parish church. School facilities consist of a newly-renovated, air-conditioned building which features a new leadership centre, dramatic arts studio, ME/DD room, and cafetorium.

The school is named after Father Henry Carr, C.S.B. (1880-1963), a leader of Roman Catholic education in Canada—the founder of the University of Toronto’s’ St. Michael’s College, co-founder of the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, and an advocate of religion being included within the area of curricular studies.

The school has a rich tradition of academics, athletics, and extra-curricular activities. Numerous championship banners adorn the gym walls; dramatic productions, art exhibits, drum-line and musical performances are visible demonstrations of the school’s spirit.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

TCDSB Regional Center for Congregated Advanced Placement [AP]

The Advanced Placement Program is an internationally recognized program that fosters success in higher education by encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills at the highest level.  Students pursue university level studies while still in high school by preparing for and writing exams.  Successful completion of exams earns students advanced placement and/or credit in university.  Exams are recognized by universities throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.  Thirty-four courses are offered in 19 subject areas by approximately 13,000 high schools worldwide.  The hallmark of the program is its flexibility in that students may take the full complement of AP courses and work toward an AP International Diploma or study in their personal area of strength and aim to achieve an AP Scholar or AP National Scholar designation.

A Congregated Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a school-wide initiative requiring the support and dedication of administration and faculty.  In this program, segregated Pre-AP classes begin in Grade 9 and are offered in Mathematics, Science, English, French and Social Sciences.  This early introduction in Grades 9 and 10 encourages a focus on the development of habits of mind necessary for success in later years.  Teachers are provided with intensive AP training and resources and each department forms a Vertical Team to ensure a seamless transition in curriculum from one grade to the next.  The program follows the Ontario curriculum but is richer in depth and breadth and allows more time for enrichment activities such as contests, field trips, in-depth discussions, guest lecturers, and more varied activities.  The Pre-AP Program leads to the Advanced Placement courses in Grades 11 and 12.  Regular meetings of all AP teachers ensure open dialogue and consistency of expectations. 

Participation in the AP Program allows students to get a head start on the work they will encounter in university.  Coursework prepares students to write the AP exams in May.  Although written at their home school, exams are marked externally by qualified markers trained by the Education Testing Service.  Numerous studies have demonstrated that successful completion of these exams ensures high achievement in post-secondary education.

All students in the TCDSB may apply to the Congregated Pre-AP/AP Program at Father Henry Carr

• Father Henry Carr offers a full complement of Pre-AP courses beginning in grade 9
• Teachers prepare the students to write the international first-year university exams
• Students may also study independently
• Exams are written in May at Henry Carr and marked externally
• Students may write several exams to receive AP Scholar, AP National Scholar, or AP International Diploma designation

Application forms for AP Programme:

• Student application form
• Teacher form 

Gifted/Enrichment Activities

Activities available to students vary from year to year depending on availability and on student interest.  Examples of some of these activities include: 

• University of Toronto Secondary Gifted Conference
• Encounters With Canada - Educational youth programs in sports, science and technology, law, arts and culture, journalism. One week course in Ottawa.
• Model UN Debating (CSUNA) Catholic Students United Nations Assembly
• The Royal Ontario Museum lab and workshop
• Live theatre productions and workshops offered by the Canadian Stage Company
• Queen’s University mini-enrichment week
• Waterloo Unlimited (3 day program on Reading a Research Paper)
• Pro-Con Debating
• Public Speaking Competitions

• Duke of Edinburgh Award Program

• Shad Valley- four week summer-enrichment program focus on sciences, technology and entrepreneurship.
• University of Toronto Da Vinci Engineering Program (DEEP)
• Outward Bound

Faith Development

• Daily morning and afternoon prayer

• Monthly masses

• Grade level retreats at Henry Carr Farm in Bondhead, Ontario

• Christian service projects

Fast Forward Programs

Fast Forward is a curriculum delivery model that provides prescriptive school-work transition program pathways for students who are entering College, Apprenticeship, or the workplace. Henry Carr offers two programs:

• Transportation [Auto] Technology

• Health Care

These programs include robust and gradual experiential learning, linking Ontario Curriculum to authentic workplace essential skills and tasks.

L.E.A.P.—Legal Education Advancement Program [grades 10-12 pathway]

• The Legal Education Advancement Program (LEAP) was conceived to allow students the unique opportunity to pursue justice education in the high-school setting.
• Upon completion of the program, students will have gained awareness for and an insight into the myriad justice issues which we face in society.
• LEAP’s goal is to inspire students to pursue higher education in the justice field. 

Other programs offered

• Mandatory after-school tutoring
• ESL courses and supports
• Vibrant Leadership groups
• Active chaplaincy team
• Community outreach
• Hospital for Sick Children Reading Program
• Linkage with colleges and universities for mentorship
• Cooperative  education & Apprenticeship [OYAP]
• Library resource centre
• An inclusive special education model
• Numerous extracurricular activities

The Carr community is committed to providing excellence in education that reflects the spiritual, intellectual, cultural, emotional, social, physical and ethical development of its members.

Father Henry Carr’s CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS