History:
Fairbank is named after the former “Fairbank” farm, which had been owned by a pioneer settler named Matthew Parsons. The “Fairbank” farm was situated just north of Eglinton Avenue between Dufferin and Keele Streets. Fairbank’s early development centered around the intersection of Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue. This neighborhood began with a one-room school house which was built in the 1860s and followed by a hotel, a post office, a church, and a handful of stores. A stone marker from the original Fairbank schoolhouse has been preserved on the south wall of the present-day Briar Hill School. The only other vestiges of the old Fairbank community are the Fairbank United Church, circa 1889, located at 2750 Dufferin Street, and a Georgian Survival style house located at 108 Stayner Avenue. This red brick house was built in 1852 by Jacob P. Ross, a Fairbank farmer. Fairbank’s growth from a rural hamlet to a big city neighborhood began to take shape in 1892 when the short-lived Belt Line Railway opened a station here. Fairbank’s development was further enhanced in 1924 when the Toronto streetcar railway began service to this area. Fairbank became a welcome centre for many new Canadians in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. These families created a sense of community along Eglinton Avenue West which became known as Little Jamaica. The rich cultural history of Little Jamaica is commemorated in the Reggae Lane wall mural located at 1529 Eglinton Avenue facing the Green P Parking lot.
Overview:
Fairbank is poised for growth with the soon to be opened Eglington Crosstown subway spurring on the revitalization of this neighborhood. The new York Recreation Centre is located on the southeast corner of Eglinton Ave. West and Black Creek Drive at 115 Black Creek Drive, is symbolic of this renaissance. The defining topographical feature of the Fairbank neighborhood is a series of rolling hills that climb their way northward from Rogers Road to the northern tip of Fairbank at Briar Hill Avenue. Many of these hills are bisected by curvilinear one-way streets that add an old-world charm to the neighborhood. The Fairbank neighborhood offers modest house prices and convenient access to transit and highways. Fairbank’s demographics include a large number of people of Italian, Portuguese, and West Indian heritage. The Little Jamaica shopping area along Eglinton Avenue West is a popular shopping destination.
Homes:
Fairbank contains an interesting mix of early 1900’s working-class houses, postwar brick and stucco bungalows, and new home developments. There are also a fair number of apartment buildings located on the periphery of the neighborhood. The charming homes perched on the hills in the center of Fairbank are located in a setting that is reminiscent of an old-world village. Many of these homes feature pretty decks that take advantage of the hilltop vistas of many Fairbank homes.
Lifestyle:
Little Jamaica along Eglinton Avenue West is a multi-cultural shopping area that has been coined “the Avenue to the world”. Shoppers in this area can choose from hundreds of stores including bargain shops, fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, as well as Jamaican and Caribbean restaurants. Dufferin Street offers a mix of local shops as well as chain stores that attract shoppers from all over the city. The Castlefield Design and Decor district along Castlefield Road at Caledonia features many of Toronto’s top home design and décor retailers.
Recreation & Culture
The Fairbank Memorial Community Centre at 2213 Dufferin Street offers a myriad of programs for children and adults. This center also operates a non-profit seniors club that offers a variety of clinics, workshops, and special events for adults 55 years of age and over. To the north of the community center is the Fairbank Memorial Park. This park has two baseball diamonds, a children’s playground, a basketball court, and a swimming pool.
Parks
Transportation
Fairbank residents are well served by bus routes that criss-cross this neighborhood. The Rogers Road and Eglinton Avenue buses connect to stations on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line while the bus lines serving Oakwood Avenue, Dufferin Street, and Caledonia Road connect to stations on the Bloor-Danforth subway line.
Motorists can gain quick access to the city core via Dufferin Street, which extends all the way down to the Toronto Harbourfront. For those commuting outside the city, the Allen Expressway, off Eglinton Avenue, is approximately a five-minute drive from this neighborhood. This expressway offers quick access to Highway 401.
School
Fairbank has 10 Public schools, and 5 Catholic schools, and 1 Private School in this neighborhood, your kids can get a great education.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
Oakwood Collegiate Institute
Address: 991 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 1A3, Canada | Telephone: (416) 393-1780 | Fax: (416) 393-8169 | Email: Oakwood@tdsb.on.ca
“Oakwood has been a place of excellence for 107 years. We are proud of our tradition and our commitment to students, parents, and staff. Oakwood offers Extended French and a Specialist High Skills Major in both Arts and Culture and in Sports. We are a “Triple-A” school — we provide outstanding curricular and co-curricular programs in Academics, Athletics and the Arts, and our music, drama, visual arts, dance and athletic programs are highly regarded.” As originally published by Oakwood Collegiate Institute
F. H. Miller Junior Public School
F. H. Miller Junior Public School
Address: 300 Caledonia Rd, Toronto, ON M6E, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-2336 | Fax: (416) 394-4146 | Email: FHMiller@tdsb.on.ca
“F.H. Miller Junior Public School is located on the northwest corner of Caledonia Road and Rogers Road. The school was build in 1926 and was named for the first York School Board Chairman, Fred H. Miller. There have been several additions to the original building over the years and a new state-of-the-art gymnasium and adventure playground were added in 2003. Our school is wheelchair accessible to the lower level. Through a Playground Greening Project, we acquired a gazebo, many trees and shrubs, and an updated Kindergarten play area, including a large sandbox and a cycling path. Hughes Daycare, located in the former Hughes Public School, 177 Caledonia Road, services our school community. We are supported by a very active School Council.” As originally published by F. H. Miller Junior Public School
York Memorial Collegiate Institute
York Memorial Collegiate Institute
Address: 2690 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M6M, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-3000 | Fax: (416) 394-3416 | Email: YorkMemorial@tdsb.on.ca
“Since our doors first opened in 1929, York Memorial Collegiate Institute has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence. Our wide range of course offerings, an extensive extra-curricular program, and a traditional year-long timetable continues to attract students from across Toronto. Also, York Memorial offers students specialized programs that include the R.U.S.H. (Roadmap to University Success with Honours), Pre – AP and Advanced Placement (AP) programs. York Memorial is leading the way in offering a wide range (14 courses) of Advanced Placement courses in all subject areas and is currently ranked first among all public schools in Ontario. York Memorial is recognized nationally and internationally by many universities.” As originally published by York Memorial Collegiate Institute
ÉS Toronto Ouest
Address: 330 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 3Y1, Canada | Telephone: 416 532-6592
“L’école secondaire Toronto Ouest continue de bâtir un milieu d’apprentissage franchement exemplaire. Ce milieu diversifié, inclusif et sécuritaire offre à ses élèves des programmes d’excellence en sciences, mathématiques, langues, études sociales et arts. De nombreux clubs et activités socioculturelles et sportives viennent agrémenter le quotidien de nos élèves, leur permettant de joindre l’utile à l’agréable. Fondés sur des valeurs d’excellence, d’engagement et de dépassement de soi, l’enseignement et l’encadrement offerts à nos élèves leur permettent « de voir un avenir à la hauteur de leur vision où les choix de carrières sont guidés par leurs passions et qui offre la possibilité et les ressources nécessaires à leur réalisation” As originally published by ÉS Toronto Ouest
É Élém Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau
Address: 65 Grace St, Toronto, ON M6J 2S4, Canada | Telephone: 416 603-6062
“Nous sommes heureux d’accueillir environ 360 élèves de la maternelle à la 6e année dans un milieu sécuritaire où il fait bon apprendre. À l’école élémentaire Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau, nous préconisons le développement global de l’enfant en mettant l’accent sur la pensée critique, la curiosité intellectuelle et l’imagination. Nous désirons outiller les enfants pour qu’ils prennent leur place dans un monde en évolution afin de devenir des citoyens engagés.” As originally published by É Élém Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau
É Élém Charles-Sauriol
É Élém Charles-Sauriol
Address: 55 Pelham Ave, Toronto, ON M6N 1A5, Canada | Telephone: 416 651-4630
“La communauté de Charles-Sauriol est accompagnée par un personnel enseignant dynamique et dévoué ainsi que des parents très impliqués et prêts à soutenir le développement des enfants. Une étroite collaboration entre le milieu scolaire, la famille et la communauté est essentielle à la réussite de tous les élèves. Le personnel de l’école a à cœur le bien-être de tous les élèves. La différentiation pédagogique, les projets touchant divers intérêts, l’enfance en difficulté, le programme d’Actualisation linguistique du français (ALF) et le programme d’aide pour les nouveaux arrivants (PANA) sont le pivot de l’enseignement à l’école Charles-Sauriol.” As originally published by É Élém Charles-Sauriol
Fairbank Public School
Address: 2335 Dufferin St, York, ON M6E 3S5, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-2323 | Fax: (416) 394-4069 | Email: Fairbank@tdsb.on.ca
“Fairbank Public School serves a very diverse community of families that belong to many races, languages, and cultures, which gives the school a social richness that we cultivate and cherish. Our staff is dedicated to creating opportunities for learning that ensure success for all our students. We are constantly learning new concepts and strategies, and challenging ourselves to do the best job possible for our students. We believe that all students can and want to learn, so we emphasize the development of literacy, mathematics, and computer technology skills in all subject areas. Fairbank provides specialized programming in Science, French, Health and Physical Education, Music and Visual Arts.” As originally published by Fairbank Public School
Fairbank Memorial Community School
Fairbank Memorial Community School
Address: 555 Harvie Ave, York, ON M6E 4M2, Canada
“Fairbank Memorial Community School is located at 555 Harvie Avenue, west of Dufferin Street and south of Eglinton Avenue. The area was originally established as the Fairbank Postal Village at the intersection of Vaughan Road at Eglinton Avenue and Dufferin Street (an early settlers’ route crossing through farmland on the way to Vaughan Township). The neighborhood has many rolling hills and steep, climbing streets. Most of the community as it exists today was planned in the interwar years (the 1920s & 1930s). The original school building was constructed in 1920, as a memorial to the young men from the Fairbank area who died during the First World War. Additions were built in 1930, 1955, 1957, and in 1965.” As originally published by Fairbank Memorial Community School
Rawlinson Community School
Address: 231 Glenholme Ave, York, ON M6E 3C7, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-3080 | Fax: (416) 394-4159 | Email: Rawlinson@tdsb.on.ca
“Ecole Communautaire / Rawlinson Community School officially opened in 1921. We serve an ethnocultural diverse population, representing over 40 different languages with an enrolment of 670 students. We are a triple-track school, offering: an English program for students from JK to Grade 8; an Early French Immersion program for students from SK to Grade 8; and an Extended French program for students from Grades 4 to 8. We are a deeply committed team of educators who believe that all students can achieve and flourish. We are proud of the work we do together with our parents, our staff, and our community.” As originally published by Rawlinson Community School
Silverthorn Community School
Address: 300 Kane Ave, York, ON M6M 3N9, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-3033 | Fax: (416) 394-4209 | Email: Silverthorn_Community_School@tdsb.on.ca
“Silverthorn Community School is located south of Eglinton, West of Keele. Currently, our enrolment is approximately 330 students who are representative of families from an array of cultural backgrounds. As a K-8 school, we offer a learning environment where staff, students, and the community enjoy learning and growing together. In addition to our FDK to 8 programs, we offer two Intensive Support Programs; our Behaviour class for students who are having trouble adjusting to our regular school programs and our Developmentally Delayed for students who require more one on one support. At Silverthorn CS we work hard to create a safe, caring, and stimulating environment where everyone is valued as unique individuals.” As originally published by Silverthorn Community School
CATHOLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL
Balanced Education Network (B.E.N.) School
Balanced Education Network (B.E.N.) School
Address: 394 Harvie Avenue, Toronto, ON M6E
“We are a not-for-profit, independent school in Toronto for children from Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6. We are committed to respecting and fostering each child’s own natural genius and nurturing the development of individual talents and strengths.” As originally published by Balanced Education Network (B.E.N.) School
ÉÉC du Sacré-Coeur-Toronto
Address: 25 Linden St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1V5, Canada
“L’école élémentaire catholique du Sacré-Cœur a 125 ans d’histoire! C’est avec enthousiasme que travaille une équipe dynamique. L’école accueille plus de 150 élèves de la maternelle à la 6e année. La langue française et la catholicité sont des priorités chez nous. Aux niveaux académique et personnel, nous rassemblons nos efforts en vue de permettre aux élèves d’atteindre leur plein potentiel.” As originally published by ÉÉC du Sacré-Coeur-Toronto
St. John Bosco Catholic School
St. John Bosco Catholic School
Address: 75 Holmesdale Rd, York, ON M6E 1Y2, Canada | Telephone: 416-393-5305 | Fax: 416-397-6325
“St. John Bosco Catholic School is committed to the development of the intellectual, physical, creative, and social abilities of all the students. The staff, students, parents, and parish clergy are dedicated to the nurturing of a caring, Christian community where all members flourish, grow, and learn to respect one another in the love of Christ.” As originally published by St. John Bosco Catholic School
ÉSC Saint-Frère-André
Address: 330 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 3Y1, Canada
“L’école secondaire Saint-Frère-André est une école accueillant les élèves de la 7e à la 12e année. Notre but premier en tant qu’établissement d’éducation est avant tout l’apprentissage et le développement de votre enfant dans un milieu francophone catholique stimulant. En vue d’offrir un enseignement de qualité et un choix intéressant d’options à nos élèves, nous offrons toute une panoplie d’activités parascolaires, ainsi que des programmes d’enseignement. «Offrir à l’élève une éducation de qualité dans un milieu de vie catholique et francophone où le respect de la personne, le sens d’appartenance à la collectivité franco-ontarienne, la promotion de l’excellence et enfin l’équité sont des valeurs visibles et essentielles à son épanouissement ». C’est non seulement la mission du conseil scolaire mais aussi celle des enseignants.” As originally published by ÉSC Saint-Frère-André
Stella Maris Catholic School
Address: 31 Ascot Ave, Toronto, ON M6E 1E6, Canada
“Stella Maris Catholic School is dedicated to nurturing all students academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. It is located in an urban Toronto community, with a population of approximately 420 students in a K – 8 program. The school hosts an area program for students who have multiple exceptionalities and is also an extended day school where students receive instruction in the Portuguese or the Italian international languages.” As originally published by Stella Maris Catholic School
St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic School
St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic School
Address: 363 Rogers Rd, York, ON M6E 1R6, Canada | Telephone: 416-393-5355 | Fax: 416-393-5080 |
“St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic School provides a Catholic education for the students living in the vicinity of Rogers Road and Caledonia. Located within the former city of York, extending north to Eglinton, and south to St. Clair, the narrow school boundaries draw children from close to 500 families. During its early years, the school community was composed primarily of Italian families who had recently immigrated to Canada. Over the years the school community has changed significantly. The present population of students is now a diverse blend of cultural backgrounds. While Portuguese continues to predominate, many families of Spanish heritage from Central and South America have recently joined the school community. Despite its fluctuating population, however, what has remained constant is the unique educational needs of the students to develop the language skills necessary to integrate successfully into Canadian society while developing pride and confidence in their home culture.” As originally published by St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic School
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