Markham District High School
Encyclopedia
Markham District High School is a public high school in the town of Markham
,
Ontario
, Canada. It is one of 29 high schools in the York Region District School Board
.
MDHS and its approximately 1,350 full-time students are active in spirit and in the community. The school hosts approximately forty clubs, some of which are activist-based (for example, Amnesty International
). MDHS is known for its Music program, which participates in various music festivals, competitions and other events. MDHS offers a three-year Latin
program and supports a Classics
Club. MDHS also offers AP (Advanced Placement) programs and the Core Gifted program
. MDHS has also several other clubs such as the Architecture, Design, and Engineering Club, DECA, Computer Programming Club, Eco-Markham and much more.
MDHS participates in the following annual events:
The year 1952 marked the establishment of the present Markham High School District, which comprises approximately the south-east half of Markham. In April 1953, the construction of the school building on Church Street began. In September 1954, a modern, three hundred pupil Secondary School was opened. In July, 1964, construction was started on a vocational addition, which would make the Markham District High School a fully composite school. This was occupied in September 1965. Two years later more accommodation was needed, and the latest addition was opened in January 1970. This building was used until the end of the 2009/2010 school year, after which it was torn down.
The enrollment for 1971–1972 in this large, well equipped composite school is approximately eighteen hundred students.
In the year 2010, the present building was completed and the old one was torn down.
and basketball.
The Markham Marauders are the first, and only team in York Region to win the Metro Bowl. They defeated Birchmount Park 19-0 in the 2009 Metro Bowl played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The Markham Marauders boys curling team has been YRAA champions and OFSAA participants for the past four years.
For those in the Gifted Program – William Berczy Public School
(Starting in the 2010–2011 school year, most of the gifted students from Berczy will go to Markville Secondary School
instead. But, MDHS will get some of the students who attend John McCrae Public School for the gifted program. However, this will still cause a big drop in enrollement
and
Students in a special needs program (excluding gifted), are exempt from the policy and receive it based on special criteria.
There are a number of routes which serve the school, partially because of its Gifted and AP programs, partially due to its proximity to the Markham-Stouffville Hospital
Bus terminal.
Some York Region Transit
(YRT) routes stop at or near the school:
Also, route 2A (14th Avenue) diverts to the school at the beginning and end of the school day. Route 9 (Ninth line) diverts only at the end.
In addition, there are four high school specials for Markham district. The first three specials are generally for those in the gifted program. They are also used by those in grades 11 and 12 who are done with the gifted program and are continuing at MDHS. It is also used by grade 12 students in the AP program who happen to live near the route. Route 409 serves those whose home schools are Bur Oak Secondary School
or Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School
. Route 410 serve those whose home schools are Markville Secondary School
or Unionville High School. Route 414 serves those whose homeschool is Stouffville District Secondary School
. However it is only effective in the morning. In the afternoon, it starts at the hospital and leaves too late (to accomadate those travelling from Bill Crothers Secondary School
and Unionville High School). Students take route 9 then transfer to route 15 (Stoufville Local).
The 4th special, route 411, was created to serve those living in the school boundaries near Boxwood Public school
and Legacy public School as well as the gifted/AP students whose home school is Middlefield Collegiate Institute
. It is meant to be an overflow to route 2A, but only running where the demand is the greatest
YRT fares are $3.25 in cash for a two hour pass in one fare zone. Ten student tickets are $19.00 and a monthly pass is $75.00.
Markham, Ontario
Markham is a town in the Regional Municipality of York, located within the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada. The population was 261,573 at the 2006 Canadian census...
,
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada. It is one of 29 high schools in the York Region District School Board
York Region District School Board
The York Region District School Board, also known as YRDSB, is the English-language public school board for York Regional Municipality located in Ontario, Canada. The York Region District School Board is currently the province's third largest school board, with an enrollment of over 115,000 students...
.
MDHS and its approximately 1,350 full-time students are active in spirit and in the community. The school hosts approximately forty clubs, some of which are activist-based (for example, Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
). MDHS is known for its Music program, which participates in various music festivals, competitions and other events. MDHS offers a three-year Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
program and supports a Classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
Club. MDHS also offers AP (Advanced Placement) programs and the Core Gifted program
Gifted education
Gifted education is a broad term for special practices, procedures and theories used in the education of children who have been identified as gifted or talented...
. MDHS has also several other clubs such as the Architecture, Design, and Engineering Club, DECA, Computer Programming Club, Eco-Markham and much more.
MDHS participates in the following annual events:
- Annual Earth Hour Assembly organized by EcoMarkham
- Grade 9 Welcome Day
- Black History MonthBlack History MonthBlack History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
- Battle of the BandsBattle of the BandsBattle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
- "Cabaret" music night
- Mosaic Mix Cultural Show
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Campaign
- Canadian Cancer SocietyCanadian Cancer SocietyThe Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based charitable organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of those living with the disease....
Cure for Cancer Campaign - Certamen
- Ontario Student Classics ConferenceOntario Student Classics ConferenceThe Ontario Student Classics Conference is an annual event committed to the promotion and appreciation of studies in Classics. It is a four day competition that occurs in early May at Brock University of St. Catharines, Ontario...
- Free The ChildrenFree The ChildrenFree The Children is an international charity and youth movement founded in 1995 by children's rights advocate Craig Kielburger. The organization is largely youth-funded, based on the concept of "children helping children." It specializes in sustainable development in countries of Kenya, Ecuador,...
Holiday Run - Markham Bowl Annual football game between Markham District High School and Brother André Catholic High SchoolBrother André Catholic High SchoolSt. Brother André Catholic High School is a secondary school in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Grades 9 to 12 are taught, with religious studies included in the curriculum. It is named after Blessed Saint André Bessette , a 20th century Catholic Brother in Montreal responsible for the construction of...
.
History
Markham District High School was the first school in Markham. Secondary school education officially began in Markham, in January, 1858, which was then called Markham High School. Since there was not a school building, quarters were rented in Temperance Hall, on the site now occupied by the Markham Lawn Bowling Club.The year 1952 marked the establishment of the present Markham High School District, which comprises approximately the south-east half of Markham. In April 1953, the construction of the school building on Church Street began. In September 1954, a modern, three hundred pupil Secondary School was opened. In July, 1964, construction was started on a vocational addition, which would make the Markham District High School a fully composite school. This was occupied in September 1965. Two years later more accommodation was needed, and the latest addition was opened in January 1970. This building was used until the end of the 2009/2010 school year, after which it was torn down.
The enrollment for 1971–1972 in this large, well equipped composite school is approximately eighteen hundred students.
In the year 2010, the present building was completed and the old one was torn down.
Athletics
The Markham Marauders are the official sports team, best known for footballCanadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
and basketball.
The Markham Marauders are the first, and only team in York Region to win the Metro Bowl. They defeated Birchmount Park 19-0 in the 2009 Metro Bowl played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The Markham Marauders boys curling team has been YRAA champions and OFSAA participants for the past four years.
The Music Program
The music program at Markham District H.S. is arguably one of the best in Canada. A number of regularly occurring music ensembles exist at Markham District High School. They include:- Grade 9 Band
- Grade 10 Symphonic Band
- Grade 11 Wind Symphony
- Grade 12 Wind Symphony
- Grade 11/12 Festival Winds
- Opus One
- Monday Morning Blues Band
- Church Street Swing Machine
- Washington Tour Band
- International Tour Band
- Senior Clarinet Quintet
- Sax ensemble
- Trombone Choi&r
- Percussion Ensemble
- Junior Flute Quartet
- Senior Flute Quartet
- Jazz Combo
- Junior Vocal
- Senior Vocal
- Sisters of Song
- Chamber Choir
- Third Stream
- Guitar Ensemble
- Tuba Herd
Construction
A new school was built over time on two of the school's fields (front fields, leaving one field at the back), and was planned to open for the 2009/2010 academic year, but due to the students wanting the metal shops to remain in the school, plans have been delayed. They broke ground in early November 2008, and opened the school in time for the 2010/2011 academic year. Currently, the projected number of people for that year is to be 1650, a drop of about 450 students from the 2006/2007 year. This will occur as a result of another high school's (Bur Oak Secondary School) territory overlapping with Markham District's current boundaries.Feeder Schools
- Franklin Street Public School
- Boxwood Public SchoolBoxwood Public SchoolBoxwood Public School is a JK-8 elementary school located in the Town of Markham, Ontario, Canada. It is under the York Region District School Board. The school is named after Boxwood Crescent, the street on which the school is located....
- David Suzuki Public School
- Legacy Public School
- E.T Crowle Public School
- Reesor Park Public School
- William Armstrong Public School
For those in the Gifted Program – William Berczy Public School
William Berczy Public School
William Berczy Public School is a public elementary school in the town of Unionville, Ontario, Canada. It is a public school in the York Region District School Board. The school's name comes from William Berczy, who founded the town in which the school is located...
(Starting in the 2010–2011 school year, most of the gifted students from Berczy will go to Markville Secondary School
Markville Secondary School
Markville Secondary School is a public high school located in the town of Markham,Ontario, Canada. It is known for its exceptionally high academic standards, with consistently high rankings on standardized provincial tests.It is one of 32 high schools administered by the York Region District...
instead. But, MDHS will get some of the students who attend John McCrae Public School for the gifted program. However, this will still cause a big drop in enrollement
School Bus
As per the criteria of Student Transportation Service (joint school bus service for YRDSB and YCDSB), students from grade 9–12 in the YRDSB are eligible for school bus transportation if they are:- 1. Living more than 3.2 km from the school (measured along safe walkways)
and
- 2. Living in a non-transit served area. (A transit served area means that a person can get to and from school using the YRT/Viva in less than an hour, needs to walk no more than 1 km to/from the stop, and needs to take a maximum of 3 busses each way).
Students in a special needs program (excluding gifted), are exempt from the policy and receive it based on special criteria.
Public transit
Starting in the 2011–2012 school, the routes serving the school were widely changed.There are a number of routes which serve the school, partially because of its Gifted and AP programs, partially due to its proximity to the Markham-Stouffville Hospital
Markham-Stouffville Hospital
Markham Stouffville Hospital is an acute care and community hospital serving south-east York Region. The hospital is located on Ninth Line north of Highway 7 in east-end Markham, Ontario, immediately south of the town of Whitchurch–Stouffville...
Bus terminal.
Some York Region Transit
York Region Transit
York Region Transit is the public transit operator in York Region, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are in Richmond Hill, at 50 High Tech Road....
(YRT) routes stop at or near the school:
- Route 1 – Highway 7
- Route 41 – Markham Local
- Route 102D – Markham Road (operated by the Toronto Transit CommissionToronto Transit Commission-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
) - Route 522 – Markham Community Bus
Also, route 2A (14th Avenue) diverts to the school at the beginning and end of the school day. Route 9 (Ninth line) diverts only at the end.
In addition, there are four high school specials for Markham district. The first three specials are generally for those in the gifted program. They are also used by those in grades 11 and 12 who are done with the gifted program and are continuing at MDHS. It is also used by grade 12 students in the AP program who happen to live near the route. Route 409 serves those whose home schools are Bur Oak Secondary School
Bur Oak Secondary School
Bur Oak Secondary School is a public secondary school in Markham, Ontario, Canada established in 2007, and is part of the York Region District School Board. The school was named after the road which it is built on...
or Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School is a public, bilingual English and French-immersion secondary school in Markham, Ontario. It was named in honour of the 15th Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau.-History:...
. Route 410 serve those whose home schools are Markville Secondary School
Markville Secondary School
Markville Secondary School is a public high school located in the town of Markham,Ontario, Canada. It is known for its exceptionally high academic standards, with consistently high rankings on standardized provincial tests.It is one of 32 high schools administered by the York Region District...
or Unionville High School. Route 414 serves those whose homeschool is Stouffville District Secondary School
Stouffville District Secondary School
Stouffville District Secondary School is a public High school, and is the only high school currently located in the Town of Whitchurch–Stouffville...
. However it is only effective in the morning. In the afternoon, it starts at the hospital and leaves too late (to accomadate those travelling from Bill Crothers Secondary School
Bill Crothers Secondary School
Bill Crothers Secondary School is an athletic based High school in the community of Unionville in Markham, Ontario, Canada. It is the newest secondary school in the York Region District School Board. Named for former Olympic athlete and Chair of the York Region District School Board, Bill Crothers,...
and Unionville High School). Students take route 9 then transfer to route 15 (Stoufville Local).
The 4th special, route 411, was created to serve those living in the school boundaries near Boxwood Public school
Boxwood Public School
Boxwood Public School is a JK-8 elementary school located in the Town of Markham, Ontario, Canada. It is under the York Region District School Board. The school is named after Boxwood Crescent, the street on which the school is located....
and Legacy public School as well as the gifted/AP students whose home school is Middlefield Collegiate Institute
Middlefield Collegiate Institute
Middlefield Collegiate Institute is a public high school in the upper middle class neighborhood of East Milliken in town of Markham,Ontario, Canada, and is part of the York Region District School Board.-Programs:...
. It is meant to be an overflow to route 2A, but only running where the demand is the greatest
YRT fares are $3.25 in cash for a two hour pass in one fare zone. Ten student tickets are $19.00 and a monthly pass is $75.00.
Notable alumni
- Steve ThomasSteve Thomas (ice hockey)Stephen Antony "Stumpy” Thomas is a retired English-born Canadian ice hockey right winger who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Detroit Red Wings...
, NHL ice hockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player - Brad MayBrad MayBrad S. May is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League . He grew up in Stouffville, Ontario, but played his rep minor hockey in Markham, Ontario. A veteran of over 1,000 NHL games, May was known more for his enforcing skills than his scoring...
, NHL ice hockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player - Frank ScarpittiFrank ScarpittiFrank Scarpitti is the current mayor of Markham, Ontario.Born in Ontario in 1960 and moved to Markham from Toronto in 1965. Scarpitti was appointed mayor from 1992 to 1994 following the death of Tony Roman, but was defeated by Don Cousens in the 1994 municipal election...
, Current Mayor of the Town of Markham - Sean MorleySean MorleySean Allen Morley is a Canadian professional wrestler better known by his ring name Val Venis, during his time with World Wrestling Federation, later known as World Wrestling Entertainment...
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, Val Venis of WWE fame - Tammy Sutton-BrownTammy Sutton-BrownTamara "Tammy" Kim Sutton-Brown is a Canadian professional women's basketball player in the WNBA. Her primary position is center.-High school years:...
, professional women's basketball player - Shauna RobertsonShauna RobertsonShauna Robertson is a Canadian film producer. She has worked frequently with Judd Apatow, and has produced a number of films for Apatow Productions, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Pineapple Express.-Career:After dropping out of high school at...
, Hollywood Film Producer - Jason "Human Kebab" ParsonsJason "Human Kebab" ParsonsJason "Human Kebab" Parsons is a DJ, emcee, producer, writer and voice actor. Raised in Stouffville, Ontario Canada, Parsons currently resides in Toronto. He forms one half of Canadian alternative rock musical act, USS...
of Ubiquitous Synergy SeekerUbiquitous Synergy SeekerUbiquitous Synergy Seeker is a musical duo that began working out of Parkdale, a neighbourhood situated in the west end of Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
's (USS) DJ and Hypeman - Geoff KeighleyGeoff KeighleyGeoff Keighley is a Canadian video game journalist. His work spans online, print, and TV outlets, and he has been writing about games since 1992....
, video game journalist - Jeff SkinnerJeff SkinnerJeffrey Skinner is a Canadian ice hockey player for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League . Selected seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Skinner was the youngest player in the NHL during the season.-Early life:Skinner was born to lawyers Andrew...
, NHL Ice HockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player - Cameron GaunceCameron GaunceCameron Gaunce is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche of the national Hockey League...
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player - Raymond Grinnell, ProfessorProfessorA professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the University of Toronto ScarboroughUniversity of Toronto ScarboroughThe University of Toronto Scarborough is a satellite campus of the University of Toronto. Based in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the campus is set upon suburban parkland in the residential neighbourhood of Highland Creek...
External links
- EcoMarkham Website
- York Region DSB's profile on Markham DHS
- School Website
- School reunion website
- MDHS Music
- Markham District's Student Cultural Association (SCA)
- Markham District's Classics Club