Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts

We Feature

Special Series Visual & Media Arts

Our Visual & Media Arts specialized program offers an accelerated and enriched Arts Curriculum covering the Grade 9 -11 Ministry of Education requirements plus a Communication Technology course in the first two years of high school.

Our senior students explore specialized Art courses taught by dedicated expert teachers, in a safe and positive learning environment in which skills are enhanced and self-expression is supported and promoted. Our students are prepared for a variety of careers and post-secondary destinations.

For our in-area student population, we offer first-rate academic courses in traditional subjects. Our large student body allows us to offer a wide variety of options yet we are proud that our staff deal with students on an individual and personal basis.

Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts's Mission Statement

Mission Statement: Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts, an outstanding school designed to deliver visual/media arts and the performing arts at a professional level, provides a strong academic, athletic, and technological program for all its students. Its safe and caring environment inspires life-long learning and a desire for personal excellence.

Wexford is known for its innovative in-depth Visual & Media Arts and dynamic professional Performing Arts programs offered to students from all over Toronto. For those whom are admitted through the audition process we offer courses in a wide variety of academic and arts programs. Outstanding work is either constantly on display or performed for the community through vibrant productions. Graduates of both Art areas often extend their studies into colleges and universities and then may develop professional careers.

Performing Arts

We deliver an interdisciplinary, performance-based program at the professional level, specializing in music theatre, drama, dance, instrumental&vocal music, glee, and technical production. Our programs are designed to prepare students for University/College entrance, and a career in the performing arts. Wexford graduates are some of the industry’s top professionals and work in major festivals across Canada (Stratford, Shaw, Charlottetown),on Broadway, and in Film and TV. Wexford works with guest artists and engages in partnerships with some of the most influential artists in the Canadian performing arts scene.

More Information About Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts

Arts Facilities

The Wexford Art Centre has large studios equipped for each discipline, including a film-editing suite, Mac computer labs, and a sculpture studio. Performing Arts students learn in dedicated spaces as well: dance and drama studios, music room, theatre auditorium, a new black box rehearsal space, and a state of the art scene shop for set design and construction

Performing Arts space include a professionally equipped 500 seat theatre, 2 sprung floor dance studios, designated drama and vocal rooms, a black box rehearsal space, and a state of the art scene shop for set design and construction.

Leadership Opportunities in Visual & Media Art

Art Council is a team of dedicated VMA students from all grade levels who create, organize and execute various internal art events throughout the year such as The Annual Wexford Art Show (The Great Masters). Students also organize and curate the Peter Marsh Gallery, with monthly exhibitions showcasing student and alumni artists.

Visual and Media Arts disciplines include drawing and painting, graphic and media arts, printmaking, sculpture, pottery and ceramics, illustration, animation, film, photography, and fashion design.

The Performing Arts drama focus program explores acting skills in one credit, and the student’s choice for the second credit (instrumental or vocal music, dance or theatre technology) all brought together in a Drama Focus production. The unique music theatre program trains students in vocal music, drama, and dance and gives them the opportunity to practice in a full production of a musical each spring.

Accessibility

We are large enough to offer a wide variety of options and small enough to know and support each student. Students with physical disabilities are welcome in our barrier-free facilities.Our special programs and our student services work with students who need additional support in any academic field, offering career, educational, and personal counselling.

Professional/Community Partnerships

The performing arts program has forged professional partnerships with industry leading companies currently including; The Toronto Fringe Festival, Soulpepper Theatre Company, Randolph Academy, Noble Caplan Talent Agency, and the Edge of the Sky Theatre Company.

Student Life - Where You Belong

GO TEAM

Student Activity Council (SAC) Student leadership is one of the best things about Wexford. Our amazing Student Activity Council welcomes new students in August. The SAC supports all teams, clubs, and events. It organizes charity drives, pep-rallies, and student assemblies. Wexford Athletic Council (W.A.C) is Wexford’s athletic council, a group of students who meet weekly to organize intramural sports, fundraisers and events that make Wexford such a cool place to be. Student Activities There is something for everyone at Wexford. Get involved in one of our many clubs/councils: Super Council, sound and lighting crew, film and art clubs, GSD, robotics club, or wellness team, to name a few. Participate in our spirit weeks, seasonal events, dances and our on-going intramurals.

WHAT SETS US APART

The Wexford Difference

“My training…was comparable to students in post-secondary programs,” explains a former student and recipient of the Glenna Carr Sheridan National Digital Media Scholarship. “Many students like me… in first and second year college and university programs… were at the head of their classes, as we had learned such technique and software programs at Wexford.” Our visual and performing arts students achieve strong academic results. Another exciting difference at Wexford is the state-of-the-art WexFit Centre devoted to aerobic and weight training. The centre is open before, during and after school. All students take physical education, and our facilities include a swimming pool, and full-size football field. There is a common lunch hour, and many extracurricular activities to fill that time.

PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

- Visual Arts: Great Masters Art show and the Peter Marsh Art Gallery displays over 1000 student works including paintings, sculpture and installations; Students are commissioned to create murals in the community - Music Theatre: Public performances of variety shows in December with a major Musical in May. Several community performances throughout the year - Drama Focus Performances in Oct/Nov - Cooperative Education placements include CTEP Construction Trades Exploration Program, OYAP Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Programs as well as Police, Army, hospitals and many other placements areas that students show interest. An active and vibrant School Council reviews school policy, exchanges information and advocates for school improvement. Parent Information Nights include Grade 8 Information Night, report card review, and post secondary planning information.