Ray Azzopardi

Toronto Catholic District School Board

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is one of the largest school boards in Canada – serving more than 84,000 students in more than 195 Catholic schools in the city of Toronto. Catholic schools in Ontario have been educating students in mind, body and spirit in Ontario since before the birth of the province. For nearly 170 years, they have provided educational excellence, in a school culture imbued with the Gospel values of Jesus Christ. Catholic education has been the foundation for millions of students to develop their full spiritual, academic, physical and social potential. Ontario's Catholic education system produces high levels of student achievement as evidenced by the most recent results from EQAO testing. Further, graduates are taught the virtues and values of the Catholic faith including community, responsibility, accountability, collaboration, caring and family, making them not just good students, but good citizens. While our schools adhere to Ministry of Education requirements, we do so from a Catholic perspective. The curriculum is enhanced by Gospel values. Teachers are professionally trained and committed to serving in Catholic schools. At the heart of Catholic education is the person of Jesus. Faith development is integral to every part of Catholic education, as students are called to respect the dignity of all human persons in a caring community. TCDSB also prides itself on the strong partnership that exists among the home, the school and the parish. Through participation in the community and involvement with the parish, students are guided by the Gospel values, principles and standards that reach into every facet of school life.