Western Technical-Commercial School

Western Technical-Commercial School (WTCS) is a high school in the High Park North neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada. It shares the same building with Ursula Franklin Academy and The Student School. Originally two schools when it was opened, Western Technical and Western Commercial, the present school is now the product of the merger between the two schools. The main 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 a large number of computers throughout the building.

Western, commonly referred to as WTCS or Western Tech, offers courses from grade 9 through 12 in Applied, Academic, or Gifted/Enriched levels. There is also a "post graduate" year. The gifted/enriched department is one of many highlights, taken by students who have been identified as gifted or applied as enriched. These students tend to be active leaders in the school.

Western's tech department, one of the top such programs in Toronto, has been part of the school since the beginning and accounts for much of the male population at the school. In 2005, Western was the third school to be designated as a CyberArts School by the Toronto District School Board to serve the southwest quadrant of Toronto. In late 2009, WTCS was designated as a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) school in Manufacturing Technology/Robotics, Design Studio, and Leadership.

WTCS has one of the most diverse student bodies in the TDSB. Over 40% of the student body has a primary language other than English, and this diversity is reflected in the everyday operations of the school. Programs like Friday's Juma Prayer for Muslim students reflect the school's commitment to embracing its multicultural student base as a strength.

Media

The Hidden Agenda is the school's traditional newspaper which 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 (865/Warp7).

See also

• List of high schools in Ontario

References

External links

• WTCS official website
• WTCS Profile on TDSB website
• WTCS Gifted/Enriched Sub-Site
• WTCS Music Department