History & Tradition

Neil McNeil High School was founded in 1958 by the members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritan Fathers). The school was named after Neil McNeil, Archbishop of Toronto from 1912-1934. During his entire term as Archbishop, he fought tirelessly for the extension of funding for Catholic secondary schools. He demonstrated in words and deeds the school motto “Fidelitas in Arduis”, which translates “strength in hard times”.

Even though the last priest-principal of the school retired in 1990, the Spiritan presence is alive and well through the Spiritan Scholarship Fund established in 1995. By 1998, the fund disbursed more than $50,000 in scholarship awards for students going to university or community college.

Perhaps the spirit of Neil McNeil was best summarized by our most famous graduate, the late John Candy, who said during one of his annual visits to Neil McNeil, “My success is simply rooted in the values and discipline and respect for others that I was taught at Neil McNeil.”

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Since 1958, Neil McNeil has been committed to making a difference in the lives of the young men who pass through its doors. Through its religious education program, chaplaincy, school liturgies and retreats, a distinct Christian dimension is evident. In other ways, Neil's programs and co-curricular activities create an environment where students can grow in faith and Christian values. These values are reflected in Neil's commitment to providing a safe and secure environment where learning can take place. Since we intend to keep Neil a small school, we are able to know our students who are in need of special considerations and needs. We provide a program which is able to meet the needs of a diverse, varied student population:

• Mentorship program with the University of Toronto
• Access to special education programs
• Broad-based technology centre (one of the first in the Toronto Catholic District School Board) bringing high tech skills needed by our students in the future
• A cooperative education program which provides personalized employment experiences for many students
• One of the largest visual arts studios in the TCDSB

Neil McNeil is constantly working at providing a comprehensive course of study for grade 9 students. The program we offer is structure to nurture the skills considered necessary to student success and the values held by the Neil community. As a school community we have a common goal to provide our students with the education that will best equip them to live successfully and responsibly in a complex and changing world. As the needs of the students change, so will the program offered at Neil McNeil High be adapted to respond to those needs.