Welcome to Essex Junior and Senior Public School, located in the Christie Pits neighbourhood of Toronto. Our school serves 320 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Approximately thirty-five percent of our students are of English-speaking backgrounds, the remaining sixty-five percent represent about 30 other language groups. Our school mottos are “work hard, work smart and work together”; and, “be kind, be gentle and take care of each other”.

Our focus at Essex is on academic excellence. We work hard to create an inclusive, safe, friendly and stimulating environment where students, staff, parents/guardians and others are valued and respected for their diversity and uniqueness. We are dedicated to providing exemplary programming for our students. Our programs foster academic excellence, critical thinking, self-discipline and a love of learning. We believe that all children can learn successfully and attain high levels of academic and social success. Walk into our school and you will understand what we mean.

At Essex we recognize that language is the key to all learning. We provide our students with the skills to be critical thinkers by the higher order questions we ask them in all subjects of the curriculum. Our primary classes provide balanced literacy programs that meet the needs of all learners. We provide our students with the foundational skills to be successful readers and writers. We use appropriate ongoing assessment and evaluation strategies to drive instruction.  

Technology is used as a tool used across the curriculum in many of our classrooms. Our school is equipped with WIFI access, Chromebooks and desktop computers to complement student learning.  In addition, there are 300 minutes of math instructions per week with some of the mathematics instruction being integrated into Science, Geography, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) blocks.

The arts play a vital role in our school. Our students receive direct instruction in music by dedicated music teachers. In FDK to Grade 6, teachers integrate visual arts, dance and drama into their daily program. In Grades 7-8, the arts are taught by specialist teachers. There is also a dedicated Physical Health and Education teacher and a number of athletic teams including cross country, badminton, basketball, and various other sports are offered throughout the year.