About Us
St. Marcellus Catholic School is a learning community made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds with varying needs and abilities. Our student population includes many different nationalities that contribute to our multi-cultural community.
We continue to foster an environment of high expectations in the academic area, as well as building a positive school climate in overall student and community interactions. At St. Marcellus, we apply Catholic Social Teachings to all that we do. We continually strive to promote and model the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations on a daily basis.
Our school motto is "Striving for Excellence". Along with the partnership of the home, the parish and the school, we will work together in achieving our goals.
School History and Tradition
St. Marcellus Catholic School opened on the present site in October of 1965 with a student population of 90 students. Teaching staff consisted of four and one-half teachers under the direction of Miss Ruth McDonald, our founding principal. The school comprised four classes, grades one to seven and a half day kindergarten class. The school is named for Pope Marcellus (250-300 AD), who built an oratory as a place of prayer for the early Christians who were being persecuted by Emperor Maxentius.
As the school transformed from its original idyllic country surroundings through increased construction in the area through the 1970's and 1980's, the student population increased dramatically. This necessitated construction of additional classrooms and expansion of teaching areas. In 1975, the library was expanded, Junior and Senior Kindergarten classrooms were created as was a new intermediate area.
As St. Marcellus Catholic School celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1990, discussions were underway to further broaden the scope of services the school could provide. In addition to providing academic instruction, St. Marcellus Catholic School was to become a community school providing a variety of recreational programs for all the community to enjoy. In 1991 St. Marcellus became the first Community School jointly operated by the TCDSB and Etobicoke Parks and Recreation Department. A double gym, dance studio (stage) and equipment are shared. An after school daycare is also provided.
St. Marcellus School enjoys an excellent home, school and parish partnership. The priests of Transfiguration work with the school staff and students to foster a caring Christian community rooted in gospel values. Our Catholic School Parent Council (CSPC) has historically been very active with fundraising, with safety issues, and with communicating and providing much needed input in decision making.