One of the top independent schools for boys in Canada, Crescent School spans 37 acres in midtown Toronto. Now in our second century, we provide rich and diverse experiences and opportunities for boys in Grades 3–12 to learn, grow and thrive. Character has always been at the centre of a Crescent education supporting our mission, Men of Character from Boys of Promise.
Since 1913, Crescent School’s focus has been on character development. It is part of our DNA and involves a deep, uncompromising commitment to three essential areas we believe bring out the best in boys: relational learning, mentoring and character-in-action. A school that truly understands what makes boys tick, Crescent is here to meet your son’s development needs every step of the way.
Finding the right school for your son is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Thank you for considering Crescent School. We invite you to apply through our online application form. Learn more about us by attending an Open House or taking a virtual tour. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus.
A Crescent education is exciting, fulfilling and broad. Our curriculum is taught by highly motivated, supportive teachers who understand that establishing a relationship with your son unlocks the door to learning and engages him in his character development. Your son will be celebrated for both his work and his work ethic as we guide him academically and emotionally on his journey to becoming a Man of Character.
Character-in-Action programs are Crescent's co-curricular activities that provide boys with ample opportunities to develop character outside the classroom. Through clubs and teams in the arts, business, robotics and athletics, your son will discover new interests and build his leadership skills. And our outreach programs will allow him to gain compassion for others both in our community and abroad.
The generosity of our Crescent community provides vital support for our campus development, signature academic and co-curricular programs, and Student Financial Assistance. Contributions, no matter what their size, allow us to deliver the best possible education for our boys and help ensure that we continue to fulfill our mission: Men of Character from Boys of Promise.
Crescent School doesn’t slow down when regular classes are out. We offer a Summer Academic Program available to all high school students, as well as summer camps for children 4 to 13 years old. Our Successful Start program is a special academic prep program exclusively available to Crescent students.
Employment at Crescent School is an opportunity to build a rewarding career and belong to a dynamic community where all are respected for their contributions. Our employees share a commitment to excellence that has made us one of the top schools for boys in the world. An equal-opportunity employer, we offer competitive compensation and benefits and believe strongly in workplace accessibility.
I never thought it would happen in my tenure: a snow day at Crescent School. Never say never! On February 12, along with all Toronto schools, we closed due to the inclement weather. And while it wasn’t necessarily the quantity of snow that kept us from opening, it was certainly the wicked wind and freezing rain that made commuting a real safety issue. I must say that the snow day was one of my most popular decisions to date.
While the school closure was noteworthy, an encounter I had that morning made a far more significant impression on me. Upon arriving at Crescent to ensure the safety and security of the campus and those who had already arrived at school, I made my way to the Dining Hall to check in with the kitchen staff. At that exact moment I realized once again just how much each individual at Crescent is committed to modelling the qualities, dispositions and values we espouse for our boys.
On that frigid morning, our entire kitchen staff had already arrived to prepare food in anticipation of school opening as usual. When I asked them to finish up their work and depart home safely since school was closed, they told me that they would do so after they set up meal service for the following morning. Amazing… just when there was every excuse imaginable to leave, our kitchen staff collectively put others first, without anyone else knowing.
In a world that often associates leadership with individual success and prestige, Crescent School offers an important alternative: leadership that puts others before self, interrelationship in advance of individual interest, and contribution ahead of achievement. The dedicated, caring work of our kitchen staff is an example of this.
Recently, a number of parents have visited the school during lunchtime to see the magic that happens in the Dining Hall. Along with the salad bar, deli counter, soup stand and hot buffet, they have been amazed at just how much our boys are able to enjoy – at no extra charge. Our meal program is wonderful and it sets Crescent apart from other schools. However, beyond the butter chicken and chocolate chip cookies are the kitchen staff who pride themselves on making sure our boys are well fed and well nourished. They are very much a part of what we call our Crescent family, and we are most thankful for their service leadership to Crescent School. After all, building character and leadership in our boys starts with modeling it ourselves.
As defined in our Portrait of a Graduate, we strive to give each of our boys a strong foundation to learn, lead, and leave a legacy. In addition to them knowing who they are as a moral person, and to leaving the world better than they found it, we desire that each of our graduates commits to being a positive leader who builds relationships and understands the importance of serving others to inspire action and accomplishment. Like with our mission to build men of character, teaching boys to lead in such a way first demands that every member our staff teaches leadership by example.