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.
Charlie shared this speech at the Lower School Prize Day ceremony on June 13, 2019.
Hello, my name is Charlie McLean. I have the honour of being the 2019 Lower School Valedictorian, and have the unenviable task of following Owen Ford’s fantastic speech at last week’s graduation breakfast.
I moved to Toronto from the U.K., and it has given me the opportunity to experience this amazing country and city – cottaging in Muskoka, skiing in sub 30-degree temperatures in Banff, living by the beach here in Toronto and becoming a huge Raptors fan are some of my best memories. However, the best experience by far has been the opportunity to attend this wonderful school with my fellow Grade 6 brothers.
I love this school and will miss it dearly when I move to New York in the summer, so as I prepared for speaking today I asked myself and some of my classmates, what is it that makes Crescent such a special place?
The facilities and grounds are second to none. Whether it be the libraries, turf field, gyms, classrooms and of course the Field House, which undergoes an amazing transformation on occasions like this – we are fortunate to have it all.
The diversity of experience afforded to us at Crescent is another factor in what makes this school so special. I was surprised last year when we received our pendants when graduating Grade 5, to see quite how much we had all achieved and how varied our activities are. Whether it is sport, drama, music, science – the list goes on – we all get a chance to try new things and discover what it is we are passionate about.
Trips form an important part of our experience here, helping us to bond and develop our characters. Of course, no speech at Crescent is complete without mentioning the legendary BEAR week! It was initially a daunting experience for me, happening only a few days after I had joined the school, but it was an important part of integrating into the Crescent family! The highlight for me though, as I am sure it was for our teachers, was this year when our bus caught a puncture. It was dramatic but... we returned safely on the Grade 11 bus.
Teachers are, of course, one of the most important factors in what makes Crescent so special. Crescent is my third school and I have never experienced an environment like this. The teachers motivate and inspire us to achieve academically, but more importantly help us develop our character. More than academic talent it is character that will make us successful and happy in the future. It is at this point where I must thank all of the staff at Crescent for the tireless enthusiasm that they show for nurturing a group of unruly 11- and 12-year-old boys. Dr. Boyes, Mr. Bell and all our Grade 6 teachers – Mr. Gadd Thompson, Mr. Barton, Mr. Wotherspoon, Mr. Chau, Mr. MacDonald, Mme. Pilaprat, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Forbes, Mr. Timmermans and Ms. Evans. I apologise if I have missed anyone out, as the list is a long one!
I would also like to congratulate Mr Bell and Mr Fisher on their new positions – Mr. Bell, you and your moustache for Movember will be missed in the Lower School but my brothers are lucky enough to graduate to Middle School with you. Having been a part of Mr. Fisher’s home room last year, I know you will do a great job as you move into your new role. Congratulations.
Even though all of these things contribute to making Crescent an amazing place, what makes it so special are the values that the school stands for: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Compassion. These values are more than just words, they represent how we live our lives here and will be the legacy that the Lower School here leaves with each of us as we say farewell to go on to our adventures in Middle School, either here or elsewhere.
Of course, we would not have had access to this amazing experience without our long-suffering parents. I would like to give my personal thanks to my mum and dad. I believe my mum has spent most of her time here in Toronto stuck in traffic between Crescent and BSS! So, a MASSIVE thank you to all of the Crescent parents.
As a final farewell I would like to read a short poem by Dale Wimbrow, called “The Man in the Glass.” It means something to me personally, and I think it says a great deal about what our school’s values and having character mean.
When you get what you want in your struggle for self, And the world makes you King for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife, Who judgement upon you must pass. The feller whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass.
He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, For he’s with you clear to the end, And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test If the man in the glass is your friend.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
Congratulations to the Crescent Grade 6 graduates of 2019!