
Our School
About Us
We are proud to welcome students and families to St. John Henry Newman Catholic High School, a vibrant Catholic learning community committed to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and personal development.
Our Mission
We are committed to nurturing the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual development of every student. Rooted in Gospel values, our school fosters a Christ-centered community that encourages students to:
Grow in faith and truth
Embrace the values of Jesus Christ
Live a life of service guided by the Holy Spirit
Become responsible, compassionate, and engaged citizens
Academic Excellence and Student Support
We offer a wide range of programs to meet the diverse needs of our students:
Enriched Courses, Advanced Placement, Extended French, English as Second Language, and Gifted Programs
Strong Technological Studies and Science programs
A tradition of excellence in the Arts: Drama, Music, and Visual Arts
Comprehensive Athletics Program
Cooperative Education and OYAP opportunities
Individualized education planning and resource support
Leadership development through:
Chaplaincy
Student Council
Athletic Association
Grade 9 Orientation Retreat
Camp Olympia
Peer Helping
Community outreach

Co-Curricular Life
Our vibrant co-curricular programs are central to student life and development:
Peer counselling and tutoring to support personal and academic growth
Competitive sports teams (e.g., rugby, basketball, racquet sports) and inclusive intramural programs
Diverse clubs and activities: Hype Dance, Reach for the Top, snowboarding, skiing, and more
Strong Arts involvement:
Art shows
Annual music concerts
Drama productions ranging from Broadway musicals to serious theatre
These opportunities allow students to explore their talents, build confidence, and contribute to a dynamic school community.
Living Our Faith
Faith is at the heart of everything we do. Our Catholic vision is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is reflected in:
Daily prayer and monthly Eucharistic celebrations
Religious education integrated across the curriculum
School-wide service initiatives such as:
Christmas food baskets
Scar Trek
Respect for Life Week
We encourage students to live out their faith through acts of compassion, justice, and service.
Our Campus and History
Located on a stunning 45-acre campus overlooking the Scarborough Bluffs and Lake Ontario, our school shares its grounds with St. Augustine’s Seminary.
Opened in 1973 as Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, it was one of the first Catholic high schools in Toronto to be fully staffed by lay Catholic educators.
Renamed to St. John Henry Newman Catholic High School in honour of our patron saint.
A pioneer in inclusive education, Newman was one of the first schools in the TCDSB to pilot integration programs for students with special needs.
A Tradition of Innovation
We have a long-standing reputation for innovation in Catholic education:
Among the first to introduce peer counselling, mediation, electronic keyboarding, and communications technology.
Featured in a video by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association for excellence in integrating Catholic values into curriculum.
Our Namesake
Our school is named after St. John Henry Newman, a renowned author and founder of the Oxford Movement, whose life and work inspired many to the Catholic faith. His legacy of faith, intellect, and service continues to guide our mission.