Minerva's Diary - A History of Jarvis Collegiate Institute

With the task of locating a site for the Grammar School's
new building now completed, the trustees could devote their
attention to a more immediate problem: 150 students were
crammed into a three-room schoolhouse and a rising enrolment
was expected. The Dalhousie site couldn't suffice for another
year.
As an interim measure, the Board applied to. the
University of Toronto's Senate for temporary use of the vacant
old asylum located at Queen's Park (present location of the
parliament Building's east wing). In its reply the Senate set a
rental fee of $170 per year which the trustees found acceptable.
So Dr. Wickson quickly packed, moved into the edifice during
Easter Week, 1870, and remained there until the summer of the
following year.
The School Act of 1871 brought about major reforms in
education. Compulsory attendance for persons between the
ages of seven and twelve became law and would be enforced.
Grammar schools were obligated to accept both boys and girls
who passed the semi-annual entrance exam. Changes in the
curriculum made the study of Latin and Greek optional and
added the following courses: agricultural chemistry, English
composition, French, German, music and linear drawing.
Another clause in the Act changed the name of the Grammar
School to Toronto High School. Summer vacation was extended
from July 1st to August 15th. The overall effects of the School
Act were soon evident: attendance soared, financial problems
eased and education gained respect.
Efforts were also under way to make textbooks more
distinctively Canadian. Teachers were advised to use the
Canadian Spelling Book, Smith and MacMurchy's Arithmetic,
and Hodgin's Canadian History.
In August the trustees advertised for a "Lady Superintendent
of the Female Department", whose salary would be $500
per year. *6 Mrs. Howe, the successful applicant and abandoned
wife of the former principal, became the first woman teacher in
the school's history.
The new building at 361 Jarvis Street, just south of
College Street, opened on September 15, 1871, with such little
hurrah that it was not even worthy of newspaper copy.
ne07,
This granite marker was placed in the foundation of the "old schcx)l" when it was
tute. The marker is now located in the rotunda at 495 Jarvis Street.
Photo: Fallis Stafford.
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