60 TDSB schools under review due to low enrolment

Toronto District School Board trustees are reviewing and discussing the future of 60 schools that have low enrolment and are under-utilized.

The schools, which have enrolments at 65 per cent or less, could face closure or have their boundaries rezoned in the next six years.

Board members met on Wednesday, and The Globe and Mail reports, trustees are recommending four closed elementary schools be sold.

The review is being conducted as part of Education Minister Liz Sandals’ three-year plan after the province released a scathing report of the board. The board must have a plan to adopt all 13 recommendations in the report by Feb 13.

At Wednesday’s meeting, trustees voted to slash their operating budgets and gave up their offices for a shared workspace at TDSB headquarters.

The board will hold another special meeting next week.

Click here to read the school board’s long-term program and accommodation strategy 2014-2023.

Below is a list of the 60 schools under review:

1. Nelson Boyen CI
2. Downsview SS
3. Weston CI
4. Sir Robert Borden BTI
5. West Hill CI
6. Sir Wilfrid Laurier CI
7. CH Best MS
8. Wilmington ES
9. Vaughan Road Academy
10. York Memorial CI
11. Oakwood CI
12. John Polanyi CI
13. Forest Hill CI
14. George Harvey CI
15. John Buchan Sr. PS
16. Highland Heighs Jr. PS
17. Tam O’Shanter Jr. PS
18. Inglewood Heights Jr. PS
19. Lynngate Jr. PS
20. Pauline Johnson Jr. PS
21. Timberbank Jr. PS
22. Kensington Jr. PS
23. Ryerson CS
24. King Edward Jr. & Sr. PS
25. Lord Lansdowne Jr & Sr. PS
26. Gracefield PS
27. Amesbury MS
28. Galloway Road PS
29. St. Margaret’s PS
30. Manhattan Park Jr. PS
31. Buchanan PS
32. Rockliffe MS
33. Cordella Jr. PS
34. Harwood PS
35. George Syme CS
36. Roselands Jr. PS
37. Lambton Park CS
38. Dennis Avenue CS
39. Braeburn Jr. PS
40. The Elms JMS
41. Boy’s Leadership Academy
42. Keelesdale Jr. PS
43. Silverthorn PS
44. Fairbank Memorial Jr. PS
45. General Mercer Jr. PS
46. FH Miller Jr. PS
47. Fairbank PS
48. Montrose Jr. PS
49. Clinton Jr. PS
50. Dewson Jr. PS
51. Jack Miner Sr. PS
52. Poplar Road Jr. PS
53. Guildwood Jr. PS
54. Elizabeth Simcoe Jr. PS
55. Bendale Jr. PS
56. North Bendale Jr. PS
57. Henry Hudson Sr. PS
58. Heather Heights Jr. PS
59. Churchill Heights Jr. PS
60. Woburn Jr. PS

However, five elementary schools, which are not on the above list, have the lowest enrollment, according to a Globe report. Below is a list:

1. Jean Augustine Girls Leadership Academy with 22 per cent
2. Kensington Community School – 25 percent
3. Fisherville Senior Public School – 28 percent
4. Sunnyview Junior and Senior Public School – 31 percent
5. Ernest Public School – at 35 percent and Fairbank Memorial Community School – also at 35 percent

The TDSB said the schools on the list wouldn’t necessarily close, and that they are also looking at moving boundaries and programs and will take into consideration whether buildings house a day care, central staff or other programs.

“There needs to be a closer reading of those schools. It’s not just about numbers,” TDSB chair Shaun Chen said. “Often times these sites are used for special education purposes where you do need that extra space.”

Chen said other programs offered at the schools, such as adult education ESL, are not included in the count.

The review is being conducted as part of Education Minister Liz Sandals’ three-year plan after the province released a scathing report of the board. The board must have a plan to adopt all 13 recommendations in the report by Feb 13.

Last week, the TDSB released a list of 130 under-utilized schools. See a map of those schools below, or click here for a mobile-friendly version.