Inglenook Community High School

Inglenook Community High School
"Subvert the dominant paradigm"
Address
19 Sackville Street Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3E1 Canada
Information
School type	High school
School board	Toronto District School Board
Superintendent	Georgina Balascas
Area trustee	Sheila Ward
Principal	Gabriela Kurzydlowski
Grades	11–12
Enrollment	~100
Language	English
Team name	Inglenook Socialists
Curriculum Leader	Robert Rennick
Vice Principals	Beth Hennings, Gerry McCann
Website	schools.tdsb.on.ca/inglenook

Inglenook Community High School is a Toronto public high school which offers grade 11 and 12 level courses. It is housed in an historical building designed by William George Storm in Corktown, in downtown Toronto, Ontario. The school has, on average, one hundred students and six teachers. It is located in the oldest continually-operated school building of the Toronto District School Board.

In 1994, Inglenook Community High School was named an exemplary school by the Canadian Education Association. The school features a family-like atmosphere and a focus on the community: teachers, students, and parents are all involved in school decisions.

In 1985 archaeologists digging on the school grounds uncovered fascinating clues regarding Toronto’s history as a terminus of the Underground Railroad. Between 1834 and 1890 this site was the home of Lucie and Thornton Blackburn, refugee former slaves from Kentucky who started Toronto’s first taxicab company.

Twin plaques have been erected at this site and one in Louisville, KY.

Inglenook is located in the oldest continually-operated school building in the Toronto District School Board. Originally Sackville Street School, it was designed by William G. Storm. The first principal of Sackville Street School (which replaced Palace Street School at the corner of Front and Cherry Streets) was Georgina Stanley Riches, who served from 1887 to 1912. At one time the school enrolled 269 students. In 1974, Sackville Street School closed and the building became home to both Inglenook Community High School and an aboriginal learning centre, which soon moved out. The school is said to be haunted.

Inglenook prides itself on creating an environment ready to adapt to the specific needs of individual students enrolled each year.

Inglenook gives more power to the student body than the average Toronto school. The Committee on Evaluations, Academic Standards and Admissions (CEASA) is the school's disciplinary body. If corrective measures are required, two students and teachers meet with the pupils involved and attempt to rectify the situation. There are no detentions and no letters home. Students are responsible for attendance and schoolwork, which are mandatory.