UrbanToronto has partnered with Heritage Toronto to capture a moment in Toronto's past. On a weekly basis, we highlight historic photos of the city's people, places and events, and tell the stories behind them. 

Oakwood Collegiate Institute has a long and esteemed history.

This historic high school was borne out of overcrowding at Harbord Collegiate located in the Annex area. In 1908, an area on the top floor of nearby King Edward Public School was used to hold classes for 207 students. This new secondary school was soon called North West High School, and by 1910 it would be renamed Oakwood High School.

As classes were underway, five acres were purchased south of St. Clair Avenue just west of the soon to be developed Oakwood Avenue, for a new purpose built school building. Interestingly, this area was then considered in the country partly surrounded by farming fields and woods.  
 
The new school building opened in 1911/1912, designed by Franklin Belfry who was responsible for the designs of numerous schools in Toronto including Regal Road Public School and Riverdale High School. Inside there were 18 classrooms, an assembly room, a gymnasium as well as many other rooms. The exterior fell in line with other schools of its generation featuring brick and decorative trim elements. Oakwood grew rapidly and by 1914 it had graduated to the status of a collegiate.  It also was among the largest schools in Toronto at that time.

Oakwood Collegiate is seen here in the 1920s. Over the years, the school has had numerous students who went on to greatness in a variety of disciplines. In May 2008, the 100th anniversary of Oakwood Collegiate took place attended by many past students and faculty. Today Oakwood Collegiate remains an important landmark within the Regal Heights community.

Sources:

http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/OakwoodCI/Alumni/History/index.html

http://www.billgladstone.ca/?p=7222

http://www.torontohistory.org/Pages_MNO/Oakwood_Collegiate_Institute.html

http://www.regalheights.ca/maps.html

http://ve.torontopubliclibrary.ca/stclairmap/Oakwood.html