About Us
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is one of the original six parochial schools in the Greater Toronto Area. The original school operated at 250 Manning Avenue from 1895 until the turn of the new millennium. In 2000, the school moved to its current location at 80 Clinton Street.
In addition to regular classroom settings, our school supports a wide range of student abilities, including specialized classes for students with Learning Disabilities and Mild Intellectual Disabilities. We are also home to a congregated gifted program for students in Grades 6 to 8.
School History and Tradition
We are proud to have our school dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, born in 1182 in the Italian city of Assisi to a wealthy merchant family. After serving briefly as a soldier, he became disillusioned by the cruelty of war and the suffering of the poor. He gave up his wealth and status to serve God and those in need.
St. Francis lived a life of humility and compassion. He begged for food to give to the hungry, and his loving nature attracted many followers. In 1209, he founded the Franciscan Order. Known for his simple and heartfelt way of speaking about God, he made faith accessible to everyone.
He also began the tradition of the crèche, or nativity scene, at Christmas, helping people visualize the humble birth of Christ in a stable. We are honored to carry his name and continue his legacy of kindness, humility, and service.