With 50 schools, approximately 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) is a faith community bound together by belief in God. Their schools are located in some of the most beautiful natural settings in the province. SMCDSB encompasses a large and dynamic region serving small towns, rural areas and urban centres.
From Bradford West Gwillimbury to Huntsville and from Collingwood to Brechin, SMCDSB is a community focused on enhancing the educational and spiritual development of students. They offer excellent programs, resources and supports so that students are provided with every opportunity to reach their future goals and aspirations. – adapted from SMCDSB’s About Us page.
Simcoe Muskoka’s Defining Principles Page includes
Their Vision: We are a Faith-filled Catholic Learning Community Dedicated to Excellence.
Virtues and Values: Faith, Hope, Love, Truth, Justice, Compassion, Forgiveness, Family, and Service
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations:
- Discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith community
- Effective communicators
- Reflective, creative and holistic thinkers
- Self-directed, responsible, lifelong learners
- Collaborative contributors
- Caring family members
- Responsible citizens.
Commitment to Inclusion
- Inclusion is about relationships and belonging.
- Inclusion is about the attitude that we have and is demonstrated through our actions toward each other.
- Inclusion is the responsibility of everyone.
- Inclusion is rooted in the Gospel.
Strategic Directions
- Support faith formation, individually and as a community, as we strive to live and model the Gospel values.
- Promote learning to allow each individual to create meaning and understanding in their lives, in an environment which respects the individual.
- Champion continuous improvement through effective planning and optimal use of our resources in response to ongoing political, economic and societal influences.
- Foster relationships with individuals and groups that make up our school and extended communities, enabling the Board to meet the needs of all of the students we serve.
- Communicate effectively and accurately to enable all of us to promote the core values of the Catholic school system.
Promoting Unity and Respect for Diversity
“As we move forward in promoting unity and respect for diversity, our award-winning First Nation, Métis and Inuit education initiative is one example of the progress that has been made for learning both inside and outside of the classroom.”
Mission: Our inclusive Catholic learning community is dedicated to excellence. We give witness to the teachings of Jesus Christ, as we journey in faith and learning, to develop the God-given abilities of each person.
SMCDSB belongs to the Archdiocese of Toronto and the Diocese of Peterborough
See Our Catholic Community for a summary of Catholic initiatives in SMCDSB.
See Catholic Resources for weblinks to Catholic groups.
See Celebrating Catholic Education for resources on: