About Us
Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School was established in 1998 to serve the Catholic community in North Toronto and surrounding areas.
Named after renowned communication theorist Marshall McLuhan, the school places a strong emphasis on information and communication technology. His legacy continues to inspire our focus on media, culture, and innovation in education.
Our Mission
Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School is guided by the legacy of a great contemporary thinker. We strive to uphold the highest ideals of the Catholic intellectual tradition, using faith to explore unity, goodness, and truth.
Through the diversity of our community, we learn to appreciate the uniqueness and goodness of each person and to experience the presence of God in our encounters with our neighbours on a local and global level. We aim for excellence in academics, innovation in communication and media, sportsmanship in athletics, and creativity in the arts. Our students are encouraged to be forward-thinking voices in the twenty-first century.
Our Vision for Students
Compassionate and caring individuals rooted in Christ’s teachings
Critical and ethical thinkers
Technologically and ecologically responsible citizens
Innovative lifelong learners
Supporting Student Success
Our academic program combines a traditional liberal arts foundation with modern communication and information technologies. Resource and gifted programs help ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Student behaviour and uniform policies are developed in consultation with parents and students. These policies are reviewed and updated annually with input from all stakeholders.
Student Life
Marshall McLuhan offers a wide range of athletic teams and clubs that enrich student life and complement academic learning.
In a faith-based environment, students are encouraged to live lives of service and apply Gospel values to everyday challenges.
School History
Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School was founded in 1998 and is known for its strong focus on technology-based programs and courses. This emphasis reflects the legacy of our namesake, Marshall McLuhan, a renowned communication theorist who studied the impact of media and technology on society.
Our campus, located at Avenue Road and Eglinton Avenue West, was originally a Canadian military base. It has since been transformed into a modern learning environment that integrates media, technology, and Catholic values.
Our Namesake
Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School is named after Marshall McLuhan, a renowned Canadian communication and media theorist. Located on a site with a rich history, our school honours his legacy through a strong focus on media, technology, and Catholic values.
Born in Edmonton on July 21, 1911, and raised in Winnipeg, McLuhan earned degrees in English, Engineering, and Religion from the University of Manitoba and the University of Cambridge. He converted to Roman Catholicism on March 25, 1937, a date he considered his true birthday. In honour of this, we celebrate our patron on March 25 every year.
McLuhan held teaching positions at the University of Wisconsin, St. Louis University, and Assumption University in Windsor before settling in Toronto in 1948. He joined St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto, where he gained international recognition. In 1963, he founded the Centre for Culture and Technology, remaining there until 1979. He passed away in 1980.
With the rise of the Internet, McLuhan’s work gained renewed relevance. He is best known for coining influential concepts such as “The Medium is the Message,” “Global Village,” and the classification of “hot” and “cool” media. His insights anticipated how technology would shape global communication and access to information.
McLuhan also introduced the idea of the “City as Classroom,” which continues to inspire our approach to education. At Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School, learning extends beyond the classroom. Students participate in enriching field trips and engage with guest speakers, including notable figures such as Chris Hadfield, Marina Nemat, Anthony De Sa, Mariatu Kamara, and Father Stan Fortuna.
McLuhan lived in North Toronto and was an active member of Holy Rosary Parish. His influence on our school is both cultural and spiritual. We strive to reflect his devotion to faith and his passion for understanding the impact of technology on society.