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.
On November 1, 2019, I attended a transformational conference held at the Art Gallery of Ontario, called “A Good Path to Indigenizing: Planting Seeds of Possibility.” The conference was a collaboration between Pickering College and the organization Facing History And Ourselves.
It started with a traditional smudging ceremony performed by Anishinaabe elder Kim Wheatley. Smudging is common to many First Nations, and involves burning one or more sacred medicines: tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass. The ceremony allowed attendees to stop, slow down, and become mindful and centred. We were asked to let something go, in order to allow new knowledge in.
Through speakers, breakout sessions and a gallery tour, we learned that we, as teachers, have a responsibility to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. TRC Commissioner Murray Sinclair said in 2015 that “education got us into this mess, and education will get us out of this mess.” But how do we undo 150 years of injustice in only 110 hours in the classroom?
The message we heard was hopeful. The solution lies not necessarily in what we teach, but how we teach. We’re already doing many things right at Crescent. Many of us practise mindfulness with our students, beginning each class with a “Mindful Minute,” a meditation or a moment of reflection. We focus on relational teaching and learning, as well as building community both within our school but also with the larger community beyond our walls.
At the conference, the speakers were in agreement that we must begin by teaching our students the beauty of Indigenous cultures, before burdening them with the story of oppression. One key to this is appreciating Indigenous languages. There are over 700 First Nations communities in Canada, yet how many of us know how to greet our Indigenous neighbours in their language? Students in my Grade 10 English classes read Moon of the Crusted Snow, a novel by Anishinaabe author Waubgeshig Rice, and are acquiring words like miigwech and anniin, thank you and hello. The elder Kim Wheatley was very moved when I thanked her for the smudge by saying “Chi-miigwech.”
I am looking forward to weaving more of what I learned at the conference into my classes, as well as sharing resources and ideas with colleagues in other departments.