York Memorial Collegiate Institute

York Memorial Collegiate Institute (York Memorial CI, YMCI, York Memorial, or Memo) is a public secondary school that is part of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is de jure located at 2690 Eglinton Avenue West. The school is often referred to as "Memo" by its students.

Not to be confused with York Mills Collegiate Institute.

York Memorial Collegiate Institute
Current building, damaged as of May 2019 due to fire (top)
Former Scarlett Heights Entrepreneurial Academy building to be used as a temporary home (bottom)
Address
2690 Eglinton Avenue West

Toronto
,
Ontario
,
M6M 1T9

Canada
Coordinates43°41′25″N 79°28′35″W
Information
School typePublic, high school
MottoMacte Nova Virtute
(Go Forth With New Strength)
Religious affiliation(s)Non-aligned
Founded1929
StatusActive, school temporarily relocated
School boardToronto District School Board
(Board of Education for the City of York)
School districtNorth-West
SuperintendentSandy Spyropoulos
Executive Superintendent, LC1[1]
Vicky Branco
LN03
Curtis Ennis
LN04
Area trusteeChris Tonks
Ward 6
School number6697 / 954683
PrincipalDonna Drummond[2]
Grades9–12
Enrollment793 (2019–20)
LanguageEnglish
Colour(s)Red and Gold   
MascotMustangs
Team nameYork Memorial Mustangs
Websiteschools.tdsb.on.ca/yorkmemorial/

History

In 1929, the Council of the Township of York decided to construct a high school in memory of their youth killed in World War I. 9.5 acres were purchased for the school. Architect Charles Wellington Smith designed the building and the cornerstone was laid on May 6. The school was opened on September 3, 1929 to its first students. The Collegiate Gothic building with Don Valley Brick and smooth faded stone, consists of 15 classrooms, 3 science labs, an auditorium, cafeteria, two gyms, a swimming pool, and various offices. It was built at a cost of $250 000.[3][4] The school officially opened on January 30, 1930.

A World War II memorial was dedicated on February 27, 1949.[5]

Since the building was originally constructed in 1929, in 1954, an addition with six classrooms was added.[4] This is followed by the construction of seven classrooms and library in 1961, followed by fourteen classrooms and pool area conversion in 1966. The next year, in 1967, a new swimming pool was built in the site of the Centennial building, with a gym and community centre.[4] Eight rooms were converted between 1968 and 1969.[4] The last addition, in the eastern portition, was built in 1971, currently houses the cafeteria, library, and the offices of the York school board (which are currently used by the TDSB as its continuing education offices).[4]

By 1973, fire escapes were added, space in the interior was converted for lockers. Some rooms were also converted in 1988.[4]

In 1985, the building was designated as a heritage building by the York City Council.[6]

On May 6 and 7, 2019, fires started in the YMCI building, which reached six-alarm status.[7] The second fire caused sections of the roof and walls to collapse, as well as damage or destruction to the stained glass windows in the auditorium.[8] All of the students were temporarily housed in nearby George Harvey Collegiate Institute.

To accommodate the YMCI students for the 2019–20 school year, the TDSB selected the Scarlett Heights Entrepreneurial Academy on Royal York and Eglinton in Etobicoke, which closed its doors in 2018, as a temporary location for the school. The TTC began adjusting services on the 32 Eglinton West bus route as a result.

The school is being rebuilt using materials including brick and a stained glass window salvaged from the remnants of the current building. TDSB is projecting the completion in 2026.[9]

Advanced Placement

York Memorial has Roadmap to University with Success with Honours (RUSH) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs. The RUSH program is an enrichment program that trains students for the full AP program. AP courses are offered in a wide variety of subjects.

There is also a Pre-Advanced Placement program (10 English, 11 Biology, 11 Physics, 11 Chemistry) which students attend in grades 10 to 11 before taking the AP program in grade 12.

Notable alumni

See also

References
  1. "Senior Team Leadership Directory 2019-2020" (PDF). Toronto District School Board. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  2. "Administration". SchoolWeb.TDSB.on.ca. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  3. "York Memorial Collegiate Institute (GR. 09-12)". Toronto District School Board. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  4. "Toronto Architectural Conservancy - TO Built = York Memorial Collegiate Institute".
  5. "York Memorial Collegiate Institute > Alumni > Our Heritage".
  6. "York Memorial Collegiate Institute". Architectural Conservancy Ontario
  7. "Fire rages at nearly century-old York Memorial, 2nd one in 12 hours". Rogers Media. 680 News. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  8. Freeman, Joshua (May 8, 2019). "Firefighters remain at scene of large blaze that gutted section of York Memorial C.I." CP24 News. BellMedia. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  9. Brown, Desmond (January 31, 2022). "Effort to rebuild historic York Memorial Collegiate Institute gets $11M from province". CBC News Toronto. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
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