About Us

Dress Code

PA Day Activities

St. Mary Catholic School is a vibrant community dedicated to nurturing the physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth of our students.

The students of St. Mary have common needs and a variety of differences. They range from three-year-olds in Junior Kindergarten to fourteen year-olds in Grade 8. The children reflect a full range of skills and abilities, and all are maturing in their awareness of both their strengths and things that need to be worked on.

The mission of St. Mary is to educate each student. Every day can bring challenges and opportunities for all and ultimately the goal is to become a better person through these experiences.

Student achievement is the cornerstone of St. Mary. Our staff is committed to providing an education that challenges, inspires and fosters a love of learning.

We recognize the privilege and responsibility of educating and caring for children. Supporting students through both successes and setbacks is one of the greatest rewards of being an educator.

Young people face many choices and challenges. Together, families, staff and the parish community are called to provide guidance, encouragement and positive Catholic role models.

Students are encouraged to strive for excellence in their studies, demonstrate good citizenship and serve as role models for one another. At St. Mary, we also embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. By fostering a growth mindset, we help students build confidence, resilience and the skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century while living out their Catholic faith.

The parish of St. Mary Catholic School is a valued partner (and neighbour) of our school community. Prayer is an integral part of daily life in the school and under the spiritual leadership of our parish priest and his pastoral team, we celebrate Mass together throughout the school year.

Sacramental preparation is fully supported by the school, parents and the pastoral team. Our school community is dedicated to providing witness to Catholic social teaching through awareness campaigns and charitable endeavours.

Classroom teachers work in partnership with specialist teachers to create the most optimal programming for students. Accommodations and modifications are made for students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in order to meet specific student needs.

Student success at St. Mary Catholic School is promoted in the following ways:

• We focus on learning goals, success criteria and descriptive feedback to promote student learning.

• We emphasize and model appropriate behaviour including self-respect and respect for others.

• We use positive reinforcement and maintain an affirming attitude.

• We encourage students to take risks.

• We promote student independence and responsibility.

• We use agenda books to promote student organization.

• We build routine and structure.

• We use cooperative learning strategies.

• We incorporate hands-on learning.

• We encourage peer tutoring.

• We conference with students.

• We try to dialogue with parents regularly.

• We invite parents to be actively involved in school activities.

The anti-bullying effort at our school is understood in the St. Mary Anti-Bullying Student Agreement:

• I agree that I have the right to be respected.

• I agree that I have the responsibility to respect others.

This Agreement means that I will:

• Speak up instead of acting as a bystander.

• Choose to participate in activities that don't involve teasing.

• Forgive others if they make poor choices.

• Model good behaviour.

• Include others in group activities.

• Accept others for their differences.

• Talk to an adult when there is a problem I can't solve on my own.

I have the power to make a difference at my school!

We will also continue to encourage students to demonstrate the "I Care Rules":

• We use "I care" language.

• We listen to each other.

• We care about each other's feelings.

• Hands are for helping, not hurting.

• We are responsible for what we say and do.

St. Mary Catholic School, one of Toronto's oldest parish schools, was founded in 1854 by the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Christian Brothers. As the school community grew, it outgrew its original location on Adelaide Street. The current building opened in 1918, with an addition completed in 1972.

Over the years, the school population has evolved from predominantly Irish Canadian to include Polish, Ukrainian, Portuguese and, today, students from many cultural backgrounds, including Portuguese, South American, Filipino, West Indian, Asian and Central American communities. St. Mary is proud to be a truly multicultural school.

Dedicated to Our Lady, St. Mary strives to help students reach their full potential spiritually, intellectually and socially. We are committed to academic excellence in a Catholic environment where diversity is celebrated, lifelong learning is encouraged and Gospel values guide all aspects of school life. Students are supported in achieving their best while developing compassion, respect and a strong sense of faith.

St. Mary Catholic School is a welcoming place to learn, and we invite parents to partner with us in fostering a caring, respectful, inclusive and kind school community.