Land Acknowledgment

Indigenous

Out of our deep respect for Indigenous peoples in Canada, we acknowledge that all Toronto Catholic District School Board properties are situated upon traditional territories of the Anishinabek (a-ni-shna-bek), the Haudenosaunee (hoh-Dee-noh-Shoh-nee) Confederacy, and the Wendat peoples. We also acknowledge the land covered by Treaty 13 is held by the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Toronto is subject to The Dish with One Spoon covenant. We also recognize the contributions and enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Ontario and the rest of Canada.

In 1963, the order opened Madonna High School to 75 girls but this number rapidly increased to more than 700 as the program and facility expanded. An addition was completed by Kneider Architects. Baywood Interior Millwork was awarded the milwork contract in Fall 2018.

The school was named after Madonna, Our Lady, whose virtues of love, service, generosity, chastity and humility continue to inspire and guide the actions of the Madonna community.

Principal's Message

Madonna Catholic Secondary School is a remarkable school community founded in 1963 by the sisters - Faithful Companions of Jesus. This is a school community where the focus remains on the success of each student – to nurture the development of each one of our students to her full potential. In this community, students are provided with numerous opportunities to further develop their skills whether spiritually, academically, artistically, or athletically. Ingrained in this community is a sincere commitment to celebrate success as we work toward developing responsible and contributing citizens who personify our motto Fides Concordia Justitia – Faith, Charity and Justice. Equally important, our students are gifted with a safe and welcoming environment where student voice is encouraged and healthy relationships are nurtured.

I invite you to take some time to explore the information outlined on this website. You will get a glimpse of our dynamic school community. I also invite you to contact the school if you would like further information.

- Mrs. Caroline Falzon – Principal

What does Madonna CSS

have to offer students?

Madonna provides an English as a second language program to meet the individual needs of students new to Canada, with an orientation session each June to familiarize new ESL students to the school.

Madonna also has a fully integrated special education program, where qualified special education teachers and teaching assistants work together with classroom teachers to provide supports and accommodations according to student needs. Enrichment is provided for gifted students through differentiated learning opportunities and/or enrichment activities such as lectures, seminars, advanced placement programs, university mentorship, and (inter)national exchange programs to name but a few.

Curriculum initiatives are ongoing at Madonna. Madonna's grade 9 and 10 courses are expressed in terms of learning outcomes and integration is occurring in various ways: a team-teaching approach; collaboration between art, music, and drama teachers; opportunities between science and math teachers for connections to be made; integrating technology into the learning experience in all subject areas; and a three-phase orientation program for all grade 9 students.

Madonna CSS also offers STEAM. The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics program has been developed for students who enjoy and excel in the subject areas of mathematics and science and who welcome the challenge of working in an enriched classroom environment with other like-minded students. The depth, not quantity, of assigned work distinguishes this program from the regular academic stream.

Benefits of STEAM

Inquiry based classroom experiences and reach ahead opportunities that enrich student learning
Opportunities for interdisciplinary studies within science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and English courses
An all-girls environment is ideal for fostering the love of mathematics, science and technology

Who should apply to the STEAM Program?

If the statements below sound even a little bit like you, then yes, you should apply!

I am a student entering grade 9 in September
I enjoy studying mathematics and science
I do well in mathematics and science
I enjoy working on individual and group projects that deepen my learning
I enjoy challenging tasks that bring my learning to a higher level
I enjoy finding relationships between different subject areas
I wish to develop my leadership skills
My goal is to continue studying in the areas of mathematics, science, or technology once I leave high school

Indigenous Studies

The Indigenous Studies program at Madonna is a robust program that explores the identity, sovereignty, relationships, and challenges experienced by the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples of Canada.

Students will have multiple opportunities to take part in experiential learning about the FNMI communities through field trips to various locations and through visits from members of the FNMI communities.

All students will complete the English component in Grade 11 and students choosing Visual Arts in grade 9 will take part in the Art component of FNMI Studies.

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Renovations / Modifications

Madonna CSS has had the opportunity to renovate some parts of the first floor and create a space for Developmentally Delayed / Multiple Exceptionalities children.

The two exiting classrooms have received a renovation that connected the by a joint washroom, calming room, full kitchen / life skills area, staff office, installation of specialty rubber flooring and specialty wall padding in new calming room. For more details on the renovation please click on the links below.

Madonna Secondary School Renovations - RITESTART

Baywood Interiors was awarded the millwork contract for TCDSB Madonna Catholic Secondary School, Renovations - Baywood Interior Millwork

Math Help

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The head of the math department is offering students extra math help either in the mornings or afterschool on certain days.

ESL Classes

In addition to math help, Madonna CSS also offers ESL classes for students.

The curriculum is designed to provide English language learners with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their goals. The curriculum expectations are designed to help English language learners develop the skills they need to develop proficiency in everyday English and, most especially, the proficiency in academic English that will allow them to integrate successfully into the mainstream school program.

Specialist High Skills Major

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) encourages you to focus on your secondary school education toward a career area of your choice. Students who enroll in our SHSM programs are provided with meaningful experiential learning opportunities in all pathways while also meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students who successfully complete the SHSM program of their choice will receive the SHSM seal on their diploma which signifies to employers and post secondary institutions that you have gained the knowledge, skills, and industry recognized qualifications related to a particular career field.

Currently at Madonna they offer three SHSM programs - Health and Wellness, Non Profit and Business.