Western Technical-Commercial School


Western Technical-Commercial School is a high school in the High Park North neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada oversighted by the Toronto District School Board. It shares the same building with Ursula Franklin Academy and The Student School. The school was founded in 1927 and was part of the Toronto Board of Education until 1998.
Originally two schools when it was opened, Western Branch Technical School and Western High School of Commerce, the present school is now the product of the merger of the two.
Western, commonly referred to as WTCS or Western Tech, offers courses from grade 9 through 12 in Applied, Academic, or Gifted/Enriched levels. The gifted/enriched department is one of many highlights, taken by students who have been identified as gifted or applied as enriched.

Origins

The main Collegiate Gothic building was constructed in 1927, with the addition being constructed in 1967–1970. The school features such amenities such as a pool and two gyms, a greenhouse, a large library, a media lab, and many computers throughout the building.

Media

The Hidden Agenda is the school's traditional newspaper. It reports heavily on student events and is run by students with final approval by the administration.

Athletics

WTCS has a wide variety of teams and intramurals, from the traditional soccer, basketball, hockey, water polo and baseball to ping pong and a Reach for the Top quiz team. Intramurals include floor hockey, volleyball, and basketball, among others. Western has a full size pool, and runs Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses at greatly reduced prices for students of the school. Current aquatics leadership students are welcomed to assist in teaching the program.

Manufacturing Technology/Robotics

Western Technical-Commercial School offers a number of manufacturing technology courses utilizing the schools machine shop facilities. The school also has a successful FIRST Robotics team.

Notable alumni