Left, a group of St-Basil-the-Great students in school uniform at an assembly. Right, photo of the front foyer of the St. Basil-the-Great Catholic School building.

Our School

About Us

St. Basil-the-Great College is a Catholic secondary school with a proud tradition of academic excellence and faith-based education.

Our Basilian Tradition

  • We were founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1962 as a boys’ boarding school.

  • Today, we are a co-educational school within the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).

  • We continue the Basilian tradition of excellence in Catholic education.

Our Motto and Mission

  • Our school motto is Excelsa Petite, meaning “Strive for Excellence.”

  • We are committed to supporting each student’s each student’s intellectual, physical, spiritual, and moral development.

  • We provide a Catholic Christian environment where students are encouraged to grow in self-awareness, respect for others, and responsibility to our school and wider community.

Student Responsibility and Community

  • We expect our students to be active and responsible contributors to our learning community.

  • Through effort, discipline, and respect for God, themselves, others, property, and authority, we encourage students to reach their full potential.

  • We support students in living out the values of our Basilian tradition in their daily lives.

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Photo of the St. Basil-the-Great College School building, showing a red brick building surrounded by trees and spacious school grounds

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Catholic Education and Faith

  • We provide a Catholic Christian environment where students are supported in reaching their full intellectual, physical, and spiritual potential.

  • Through our Religion Department and Chaplaincy Team, we help students develop an understanding of:

    • Social justice

    • Community needs

    • Their role in serving others

  • We provide opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection through:

    • Liturgies

    • Retreats

    • Faith-based activities

Safe and Respectful Environment

  • We are committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment.

  • Our Code of Behaviour reflects Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) policies.

  • We promote dignity, responsibility, and respect among all members of our school community.

  • We regularly remind students and staff of our behavioural expectations and their shared responsibility for maintaining a positive school environment.

Curriculum and Learning Opportunities

  • We offer a diverse and challenging curriculum that is continually reviewed to meet the needs and interests of our students.

  • Our programs and pathways include:

    • Business courses

    • Environmental studies

    • Computer literacy

    • Cooperative education

    • Specialized programming through our Special Education department

Co-Curricular Activities

  • We encourage students to participate in a wide range of co-curricular activities that enrich their school experience.

  • Opportunities include:

    • Student leadership

    • Clubs

    • Service initiatives

    • Yearbook

    • Cultural groups

    • Competitive sports

  • Our athletic opportunities include basketball, volleyball, soccer, and baseball.

  • Through these activities, we help students develop teamwork, leadership, personal growth, and a strong sense of school community.

Our School History and Tradition

St. Basil-the-Great College School has a proud history rooted in the tradition of the Order of St. Basil-the-Great.

  • We were founded in 1962 as a private boys’ boarding school, with a focus on preparing young men for university and professional careers.

  • In 1969, the Order entered into an agreement with the Metropolitan Separate School Board (MSSB), now the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).

  • Under this agreement, the MSSB assumed responsibility for Grades 9 and 10, while the senior grades remained under the administration of the Order.

  • In 1970, we transitioned into a day school, welcomed girls, and became a co-educational institution.

  • With the introduction of full provincial funding in 1986, administration of the school was transferred fully to the TCDSB.

  • By this time, our school community had grown to approximately 1,000 students.

  • In 1993, funding was provided to support the reconstruction of our school, and a new site was acquired to replace the original facility.

  • Our new school opened in 1999, providing modern learning spaces for our growing community.

  • Today, we continue to build on our rich history while evolving to meet the changing needs of our students and community.