Education Began in 1858
A Sketch of Secondary Education in Markham: http://www.mdhsreunion.ca/mdhs_in_1858.htm
Secondary school education officially began in Markham Village when the Country Council of York passed a by-law authorizing the establishment of a grammar school. This came into being in January, 1858, with Dr. Edward T. Crowle as the first headmaster. Since there was not a school building, quarters were rented in Temperance Hall, on the site now occupied by the Markham Lawn Bowling Club. During the first year, sixty-three students were registered.
In 1860, land was purchased on Joseph Street, and a new one-room brick Grammar School was built. When four rooms were added in 1892, the original building became the science laboratory.
Towards the end of the century, there was a constant lack of classroom space. Alternations in 1924 provided changes in entrances, heating plant and corridors. In 1927, indoor washrooms were installed.
The year 1952 marked the establishment of the present Markham High School District, which comprises approximately the south-east half of Markham Township.
In April, 1953, the construction of the present school on Church Street began. In September, 1954, a modern, three hundred pupil Secondary School was opened. In July, 1964, construction was started on a vocational addition, which would make the Markham District High School a fully composite school. This was occupied in September, 1965. Two years later more accommodation was needed, and the latest addition was opened in January, 1970.
The enrolment for 1971-1972 in this large, well equipped composite school is approximately eighteen hundred students.
Among the principals who gave excellent leadership, and also, in some cases, many years of service, were: Mr. G. H. Reid, Mr. Bruce Clarke, Mr. J. S. Bell, Mr. Ewart I. Gales, Mr. Donaldson, Mr. L. Hamel Cooke, Mr. O. R. Stalter, Mr. Earle Thom, and Mr. B. J. Newell. The present principal is Mr. K. C. McDonald.
Life at Markham High School
http://www.mdhsreunion.ca/mdhs_in_1896.htm
LIFE AT MARKHAM HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. E. C. Reynolds – July 1953
My first acquaintance with Markham High School was in June 1894. My teacher persuaded me to try the Entrance Examination, but the result was not a success, for a nervous eleven year old kid, fearing he might miss the train to get home in the evening. Hartman Jones was the residing examiner. He later was principal of Hartman Jones School in Toronto.
My next acquaintance with the School was in June 1896 at the Entrance Exam. and the result was much happier. One incident I recall at that time, concerns Charlie Querrie (?). He sat in the next seat to me, and wrote his last paper on Physiology in 15 minutes to ride his bike to Uxbridge to play lacrosse.
My stay at Markham High School extended from September 1896 to June 1901. Our teachers during that time were, George H. Read Principal, teaching Classics and Ancient History; He was very popular with the students and he left Markham to become the first Principal of North Toronto Collegiate; T.C. Doidge was to become the Mathematics Master, and he also was popular; he left Markham to teach at Orillia collegiate for many years; Mary Annis was Modern language teacher; Nancy Mary Annette Millar taught Commercial subjects, Art and English; she retired and is living in Toronto. Mr. MacLean succeeded T.C. Doidge in Mathematics in 1903. We had a succession of Science teachers. Mr. Forbes was the first, and he stayed one year which was that much too long. Hartley Graham followed him, and he left to become the first Principal of Malvern High School. He married one of my school mates, Helen Robinson, Markham. A. B. Steer was the third teacher in Science. He was there when I finished the course.
The pupils at Markham High came from a large area, As the train services were favorable from the south, East Toronto, Little York, Scarboro village, Scarboro Jet., Agincourt, Wexford, O’Sullivan’s Corners, Don, Malvern, Ellesmere, Brown’s Corners, Highland Creek, Milliken, Hagermans Corners, Unionville sent pupils commuting by train daily. From the north Sutton, Pefferlaw, Ballantrae, Buttonville, Ringwood, Stouffville, sent their quota.
Some students from Markham and vicinity, I recall were, Beatrice Milne, Fred and Frank Rolph, Wilfred and Howard Reive, Alice and Murray Street, Arthur While, J.D. Reesor, Mary, Harry and Roy White, Ernest , Cass Pringle, Laura Pringle, ‘Puck” Wales, Charles Roberts, Lena Hall ‘Mrs. Chas. Querrie’, Rolph Corson, Helen Robinson, Edmund burke, Bessie - who married Wilfred Raive - , Nell Jerman, Emma and Patty Tuckett. From Locust Hill, box Grove and Cedar Grove came Nell Dimma, Will, Jessie and Walter Forster, John Thomas, Jack Traco, Bertram C. Reesor, Dan Brake, Gordon Nighswander and Emmerson Maxwell. From Victoria Square, John Flummerfeldt, Maud and Mary Loundsborough, Ada Gohn.
Many College students requiring extra subjects for matriculation came to Markham at the close of college to cram for Dept. Exam. in July. Among these I recall Thos. Kennedy, A. S. Moorhead, G.F.R. Richardson – who married Mable Young - , Joseph Irwin, Robert McAvoy, Jack O’Neil and Rob. Burns. The latter two were from Trinity Midcal College and were largely responsible in persuading me to enroll there in 1901. I have many pleasant memories of Markham High School. (signed) ‘Punch” Reynolds.