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

67 Balsam Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4E 3B8

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History & Tradition

St. Denis Catholic School opened its doors in September 1966. The school is named after the first bishop of Paris and patron saint of France, St. Denis, who was martyred for the faith on Montmatre, the mount of the martyrs. At the official opening on March 22, 1967 the school was dedicated to Rt. Rev. Denis O'Connor DPVF zealous pastor, devoted educator and faithful friend. He was the pastor of St. John's Church from 1932-1966 and a Metropolitan Separate School Board (now Toronto Catholic District School Board) trustee from 1947 to 1956. St. Denis has earned a well deserved reputation in the community offering a balanced core program combining the teaching of the gospel values, arts, language, math, science and technology and self and society. The school is committed to strong literacy and math programs to provide students with the tools and understanding for life long learning.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

A Catholic environment permeates the daily life of the school. Formal religious instruction occurs daily. Beyond this, dignity and respect for each other is fostered in ongoing interactions.

The school responds to the varying needs of students (i.e. intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional, social, in the following ways:

• incorporation of gospel values into the daily life of the students;
• a focus on maintaining a safe, welcoming school environment through a positive behaviour code;
• peer mediation, conflict resolution and guidance programs, and a safe arrival program;
• an outstanding vocal music program;
• an extensive co-curricular and extra curricular program such as choir, W5H, house leagues, strings etc.;
• participation in Toronto Catholic District School Board inter-school sports events;
• an effective homework policy that supports academic growth;
• an active group of parent volunteers whose work supports students and teachers;
• host school placement for students at the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto;
• effective communication through school and classroom newsletters, curriculum evening, school performances;
• modified programs; use of computers to facilitate writing; open ended activities to meet varying learning styles cross-peer tutoring;
• alternate program (i.e. gifted, learning disabled, Metro-wide resource leader program);
• the curriculum is enriched for all students through a variety of educational excursions including: overnight stays for the intermediate division, artist-in the-school programs, theatrical experiences etc.

At St. Denis Catholic School we continue to develop and promote initiatives to ensure a high level of success for students in literacy and numeracy which include:

• direct instruction in phonics, grammar, spelling and reading strategies as well as reading and writing buddies and daily reading;
• a primary grade book bag program which promotes shared reading;
• the use of the arts and computer technology to enhance reading and writing skills;
• increased direct instruction time in math.

School News

Congratulations to St. Denis Catholic School for winning the south region W5H competition. The team will represent the south region at the city championships on April 28th. Team members are: Kaitlyn Davies, Matthew Gibbs, Grace Hill, Katie McKenna (Captain), William Pearson, Liam Walmsley, with coaches Jennie Valentim and Robert MacNeil. They went on to finish third in the city championships.

St. Denis Greening Project--More

We continue to accept registration for JK-grade 8 students
Please call the office at 416-393-5310 for more information,
regarding items needed to pre-register for the 2007/08 academic year.

At St Denis we Celebrate:
Our Junior W5H (Who, What, When, Where, Why and How) Team who came in
first in the divisional championship,
first in the regional championship,
and second in the city of Toronto.
Congratulations!!!



St. Denis grade 8s visit Quebec.

Our students (by grade) participated in creating these wonderful murals in our library.
They were auctioned off at a Fundraiser for our St Denis Greening Project.
Bravo to all!


A special visitor to our school!

St. Denis Auction
Students from St. Denis participated in creating murals which were auctioned off at a Fundraiser for the school’s  Greening Project.