St. Anselm Catholic School (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

182 Bessborough Drive, East York, Ontario M4G 3J9

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History & Tradition

St. Anselm School was opened in September 1939 with two classrooms. Miss Mary Breen was the first principal.  The school is named after St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury. This renowned saint is an excellent role model for the students as he personifies great courage and outstanding scholarship.

Additions were built in 1943, 1947 and 1951. The library and gymnasium were added in 1966.

In 1997, the Toronto Catholic District School Board approved funds for the demolition of the 1938 and 1943 wings and the construction of a two-story addition. During the construction all of the students were transported to 1107 Avenue Road, now the location of Marshall McLuhan High School. Staff and Students moved back to the newly built and renovated school in May 1998.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Catholic foundation
St. Anselm School provides a learning environment, where models of Gospel values and Catholic doctrines, teachings and beliefs are an integral part of the daily life of the school. Religious instruction, family life programs and values in education, provide students with a firm foundation in their faith development. Throughout the year, staff and students participate in organizing and attending liturgical celebrations, organizing  food drives, and leading opening exercises. There is a bi-weekly visit from the priest and the Rosary group visits during the Mary months. 

The school is implementing programs from junior kindergarten to grade 8  which are based on the expectations developed by the Ministry of Education. This also includes programs for the exceptional student.

Enrichment
Enrichment activities, supported by a financial contribution by the Catholic School Advisory Council and significant community involvement, are a part of regular classroom programming.  School trips, visiting theatrical and science groups are examples of enrichment in the school.

Special education
The school provides to each exceptional student, access to the regular program and to the educational mainstream. The student is placed in the most enabling environment to the extent to which it is practical and beneficial. Program modification and remediation are planned and offered where needed, arising out of the advice of the school-based support team, the joint inter-disciplinary team, and parental advice and support. Formal assessment and identification of the student as exceptional are sometimes necessary. Identified students are supported by a special education teacher (who offers programs in the learning centre) or by a teacher of multiple exceptionalities and possibly by educational assistants. Students who have been formally identified as “Gifted” attend a specialized program once a week at St. Monica Catholic School.

Literacy
The Balanced Literacy program is implemented as early as Jr. Kindergarten and is continued through to grade 8. An early love of books and reading is emphasized in the early years and is maintained throughout the grades. Parents offer support by virtue of CSAC involvement in the book buy programs, through which a considerable number of books are donated to the library, the hub of the school.

Computer literacy
The school has focused on upgrading hardware, acquiring software, and developing skills. Students are becoming more competent in the use of multimedia computers, stand-alone and networked systems for information retrieval management and organization. A newly updated computer lab and additional hardware in the classrooms have allowed the teachers to team teach and offer instruction in web page building, multimedia presentations, and computer buddies (older students teaching younger students software applications.)

Co-curricular program
Many activities are planned throughout the year outside the school. Work in the immediate and extended community forms a vital part of our hands-on experience approach to teaching and learning. An overnight retreat is part of the intermediate program. Students participate in festivals of choral and instrumental music. Individualized optional activities are planned outside the school day on the basis of student interest and staff availability. These include athletic tournaments and academic festivals or presentations.

Fixed attendance boundary
Please note that St. Anselm Catholic School has a fixed attendance boundary. Schools with Board established attendance boundaries do not permit registration of students outside those defined attendance areas. There is no wait list for these schools.

School News

PA Days 2010-2011

• September 2, 2010 (Faith Development/Provincial Education Priorities)
• November 19, 2010 (Parent Teacher Conference)
• January 21, 2011 (Assessment and Evaluation)
• February 18, 2011 (Parent Teacher Conference)
• May 20, 2011 (Assessment and Evaluation)
• June 30, 2011 (Provincial Education Priorities)

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010

Safe School Plan -- 2009-2010

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: