William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute
Encyclopedia
William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute is a semestered secondary school
located in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
on 20 Tillplain Road. It was built in 1960 to accommodate the skyrocketing number of new students in what was then known as North York, and to ease overcrowding at Northview Collegiate. Though originally known as Southview Collegiate, students were tasked with renaming the school after one of eight famous Canadians. Ultimately, William Lyon Mackenzie
, the first mayor of Toronto and leader of the Upper Canada Rebellion
in 1837, was selected.
Today, Mackenzie offers a wide variety of programs, clubs, teams, and courses to meet a number of student needs, and is known for its high standards of academic excellence. The school offers the Gifted Program, along with the MaCS program, a Math, Science, Computers, and English enrichment program. Mackenzie is also known for its competitive sports teams, including Badminton, Wrestling, Rugby, Boys and Girls Volleyball, and Girls Soccer.
Students often perform well in academic competitions, such as the Leonardo da Vinci competition and the International Chemistry Olympiad. Spencer Cohen for example has won these competitions 4 straight years. In 2006 contestant Dimitry Pichugin won a bronze medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad.
The school is also well known for the student-run organization, SWITCH (Solar and Wind Initiatives Towards CHange). Founded in 2006, SWITCH's goal is to make Canada more environmentally friendly through various environmental initiatives—the most prominent of which is the installation of solar panels and wind turbines on school grounds. Through this organization, Mackenzie has gained national media attention due to events featuring David Suzuki
, Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies
, MuchMusic
and members of Sum 41
.
The following courses must be completed to receive the FIT Certificate:
Computer Science (ICS 3U + ICS 4U)
CISCO IT Essentials (TEJ 3M + TEJ 4M)
Business component (part of ICS courses)
Media Arts (TGJ 3M + TGJ 4M)
Business component (part of TGJ courses)
Co-operative Education component (for FIT Plus Certificate)
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
located in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, 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
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
on 20 Tillplain Road. It was built in 1960 to accommodate the skyrocketing number of new students in what was then known as North York, and to ease overcrowding at Northview Collegiate. Though originally known as Southview Collegiate, students were tasked with renaming the school after one of eight famous Canadians. Ultimately, William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie was a Scottish born American and Canadian journalist, politician, and rebellion leader. He served as the first mayor of Toronto, Upper Canada and was an important leader during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion.-Background and early years in Scotland, 1795–1820:Mackenzie was...
, the first mayor of Toronto and leader of the Upper Canada Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...
in 1837, was selected.
Today, Mackenzie offers a wide variety of programs, clubs, teams, and courses to meet a number of student needs, and is known for its high standards of academic excellence. The school offers the Gifted Program, along with the MaCS program, a Math, Science, Computers, and English enrichment program. Mackenzie is also known for its competitive sports teams, including Badminton, Wrestling, Rugby, Boys and Girls Volleyball, and Girls Soccer.
Students
Mackenzie is known for the high academic standards of its students. Over 95% of its graduating students are accepted into a post-secondary institutions. Additionally, 50% of graduating students earn an 80% average in all of their subjects (down from 66% in 2006, when the average was based on the top three subjects), qualifying them to become Ontario Scholars.Students often perform well in academic competitions, such as the Leonardo da Vinci competition and the International Chemistry Olympiad. Spencer Cohen for example has won these competitions 4 straight years. In 2006 contestant Dimitry Pichugin won a bronze medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad.
The school is also well known for the student-run organization, SWITCH (Solar and Wind Initiatives Towards CHange). Founded in 2006, SWITCH's goal is to make Canada more environmentally friendly through various environmental initiatives—the most prominent of which is the installation of solar panels and wind turbines on school grounds. Through this organization, Mackenzie has gained national media attention due to events featuring David Suzuki
David Suzuki
David Suzuki, CC, OBC is a Canadian academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist. Suzuki earned a Ph.D in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1961, and was a professor in the genetics department of the University of British Columbia from 1963 until his retirement in 2001...
, Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
, MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
and members of Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
.
Specialty Programs
William Lyon Mackenzie offers a variety of distinct programs for its student population.MaCS Program
The MaCS Program commenced in 1985 and offers enchanced English, Mathematics, Science and Technolgy courses for advanced students. Students applying for the MaCS Program must undertake an entrance test. The MaCS Program begins at Grade Nine and runs until Grade Twelve. A quantifiable segment of the William Lyon Mackenzie's student population are part of the MaCS Program.Gifted Program
The Gifted Program is an enriched program available to gifted students. The program begins at Grade Nine and runs until Grade Twelve. Five to Ten Percent of William Lyon Mackenzie's student population are part of the Gifted Program.Advanced Placement (AP) Program
The Advanced Placement Program has been active at the school since 2002 with the AP Computer Science course (ICS 4U0) . AP Calculus and Chemistry has also been added to the school's Advanced Placement Program. The AP Biology and AP French will be implemented for students who wish to pursue enriched learning in 2011.FIT Program
W. L. Mackenzie Collegiate Institute offers a national certification program known as the FIT Program that will enable students to earn industry standard certifications in programming and engineering, and in Media & Communications Arts . This great opportunity for high school students is made possible through the Information and Communications Technology Council of Canada as part of the Education/Sector Council Partnership Project . Students who completed all the required courses are eligible for the FIT Plus Certificate if they do a Cooperative component or summer internship in a field related to Engineering, Programming or Media Communication & Arts.The following courses must be completed to receive the FIT Certificate:
Computer Science (ICS 3U + ICS 4U)
CISCO IT Essentials (TEJ 3M + TEJ 4M)
Business component (part of ICS courses)
Media Arts (TGJ 3M + TGJ 4M)
Business component (part of TGJ courses)
Co-operative Education component (for FIT Plus Certificate)
Notable Alumni
- Andrew Sterian - Electrical Engineering Professor at Grand Valley State University (Michigan)
- Yank AzmanYank Azman-Early life:Azman was born in a displaced persons camp in Bad Wörishofen, Germany to Cesia , a sales clerk and Kuba Zajfman, a tailor and furrier, Holocaust survivors from Chmielnik, Poland...
- Actor - Jeanne BekerJeanne BekerJeanne Beker is a Canadian television personality, author and newspaper columnist, who covers fashion and lifestyle news for CTV's FashionTelevision, FashionTelevisionChannel, and The Toronto Star.-Family:...
- Canadian television personality & magazine editor - Herbert L. BeckerHerbert L. BeckerHerbert Lawrence Becker is a magician and the inventor and patent/copyright holder for BOIP...
- Actor, author, magician, TV producer - Tinsel KoreyTinsel Korey-Life and career:Korey is a Canadian musician and actress known for playing Aboriginal roles. She portrayed the Makah Emily Young in the Twilight Saga films New Moon and Eclipse. She is set to return as Emily Young in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn...
- Singer and actress - Ben MinkBen MinkBen Mink is a Canadian songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer.Born of Polish parents, Mink was raised in Toronto Ontario. He got his start performing with the rock/country group Mary-Lou Horner, which became the house band at bar and nightclub....
- Musician and composer - Alice PanikianAlice PanikianAlice Panikian is a Bulgarian-born Canadian model who was crowned Miss Universe Canada on March 21, 2006...
- Miss Universe CanadaMiss Universe Canada-External links:*...
2006 - Alex ShnaiderAlex ShnaiderAlex Shnaider is a Russian-born Canadian entrepreneur and former commodities trader. He is co-founder with Eduard Shifrin of the Midland Group. He was educated at York University in Toronto....
- BillionaireBillionaireA billionaire, in countries that use the short scale number naming system, is a person who has a net worth of at least one billion units of a given currency, usually the United States dollar, Euro, or Pound sterling. Forbes magazine updates a complete list of U.S. dollar billionaires around the...
and philanthropistPhilanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes... - Inga SkayaInga SkayaInga Skaya is a Canadian model of Russian Jewish descent who was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2007 on March 4, 2007...
- Miss Universe CanadaMiss Universe Canada-External links:*...
2007