History:
In the 1850s, Highland Creek was the largest residential and business center in the former Township of Scarborough. Richard Schofield, in Scarborough Then and Now explains that “The combination of the Kingston Road, the Old Danforth Road and the Highland Creek coming together in one location encouraged the village’s rapid growth in the early 19th century.”
Highland Creek was officially recognized as a community in 1852 when it was granted its own post office. Highland Creek also had its own school, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Methodist churches, and a number of general stores, blacksmith shops, and hotels that catered to the travelers along Kingston Road. Highland Creek remained a rural farming community right up until the 1950s when the present-day neighborhood was developed.
Highland Creek’s historical landmarks include the “W.J. Morrish General Store,” circa 1891, situated on Old Kingston Road, the third Highland Creek Public School, circa 1918, located on Military Trail, and the “Miller Lash/McLean Estate,” circa 1914, which is situated on the University of Toronto’s Scarborough College campus.
Overview:
This neighborhood has a small-town feel that emanates from its main street shopping district situated along Old Kingston Road. Here you will find a historic cemetery that dates back to around 1800, and colorful wall murals that depict life from Highland Creek’s pioneer days.
Highland Creek residents celebrate the history of their neighborhood every year on Highland Creek Heritage Day. This event is highlighted by a giant parade that takes place along Old Kingston Road. This parade features antique cars, marching bands, floats, children’s rides, a merchant’s fair and flea market, crafts, home-baked goods, and dance at the local legion hall.
Homes:
Highland Creek contains a large number of frame or brick bungalows built in the 1920s, ’30s, 40’s, and 50’s. Many of these cozy white frame houses were originally summertime cottages.
Highland Creek’s housing stock is currently in transition as many of the original homes are being replaced by a collection of new custom-designed houses that feature double garages, interlock driveways, and luxury interior finishes.
Lifestyle:
Highland Creek residents do most of their shopping on Old Kingston Road, which has the character of the main street, in a small town. The focal point of this shopping district is the old-fashioned Highland Creek Plaza which includes a food market, a hair salon, a florist, a bakery, a bookstore, a bank, dry cleaners, a florist, a home decorating store, and professional offices. The mix of shopping around this plaza includes neighborhood restaurants, and a beer and winemaking establishment.
Recreation:
Highland Creek Community Park located off Ellesmere Road is a large park that features a baseball diamond and a children’s playground. The Highland Creek Public Library is located east of the park at 3550 Ellesmere Road. This library offers storytime and reading club programs for children.
Colonel Danforth Park, which forms the southern boundary of this neighbourhood, is a deep ravine valley that is popular for family picnics, bike rides, casual strolls and hiking. This park can be accessed off Kingston Road and along Old Kingston Road.
Transportation:
The north-south Morningside Avenue and Meadowvale Road buses connect passengers to the Kennedy station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. The Ellesmere Road bus connects passengers to the Scarborough Town Centre, which provides a connection to the Bloor-Danforth subway station and the Go Transit system.
Motorists can gain immediate access to Highway 401 on-ramps at Morningside Avenue and Meadowvale Road. Highway 401 links motorists to the Don Valley Parkway which ushers commuters to downtown Toronto in approximately thirty minutes. An alternative and more scenic route for those heading downtown is to take Kingston Road west to Lakeshore Boulevard.
Schools:
Highland Creek, has 4 Public schools, 3 Catholic schools, and 1 Private school in this neighborhood, your kids can get a great education.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
West Hill Collegiate Institute
Address: 350 Morningside Ave, Scarborough, ON M1E 3G3, Canada | Telephone: (416) 396-6864 | Fax: (416) 396-8300 | Email: WestHill.CI@tdsb.on.ca
“West Hill CI is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Centre of Innovation. We endeavor to create 21st century employees that have skills in the key growth STEM sectors through our instructional focus on Inquiry, Problem Solving, Critical thinking, Collaboration and Communication. West Hill C.I. has a proud tradition of excellence in academic, artistic, and athletic endeavors, with numerous awards, citations and championships garnered over the years. At West Hill. C.I., students enjoy a wide variety of co-curricular pursuits related to their academic, artistic, cultural, and athletic interests. The many opportunities offered here at West Hill C.I. will help you become a well balanced individual.” As originally published by West Hill Collegiate Institute
É Élém Académie Alexandre-Dumas
Address: 255 Coronation Dr, Scarborough, ON M1E 2J3, Canada | Telephone: 416 283-0060 | Email: chezantelaure2@gmail.com
“Académie Alexandre-Dumas est plus qu’une école, c’est une belle communauté francophone, vivante, multiculturelle, riche d’entraide et de créativité afin de répondre aux besoins des enfants.” As originally published by É Élém Académie Alexandre-Dumas
Highland Creek Public School
Address: 1410 Military Trail, Scarborough, ON M1C 1A8, Canada | Telephone: (416) 396-6330 | Fax: (416) 396-6332 | Email: HighlandCreek@tdsb.on.ca
“We are a small neighborhood school, Kindergarten to Grade 8, located in the southeast corner of the TDSB. We presently serve approximately 140 students. Our mission is to enable all students to reach high levels of achievement through a safe, healthy and orderly learning environment, continuous professional learning, a collaborative approach by our teachers to planning and sharing of best practices, and effective partnership with our parents and the community.” As originally published by Highland Creek Public School
Morrish Public School
Address: 61 Canmore Blvd, Scarborough, ON M1C 3T7, Canada | Telephone: (416) 396-6730 | Fax: (416) 396-6732 | Email: Morrish@tdsb.on.ca
“Morrish Public School was established during the 1989-1990 school year and opened to students in September, 1990. The official opening was held on April 25, 1991. The school is named after the Morrish family from West Hill. The Morrish store, which still stands, is a reminder of our early history. Our school is committed to serving its diverse, multicultural community. We believe that all children can learn. Our staff are dedicated to helping each and every child reach their potential by encouraging self-motivated, self-directed learning, developing our students’ skills in creative and critical thinking and problem solving, enhancing self-esteem, promoting character development, and celebrating differences.” As originally published by Morrish Public School
CATHOLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL
Guildwood Village Montessori School
Address: 297 Old Kingston Road, Scarborough, ON M1C | Telephone: (416) 266-0424 | Email: montessorivillageinfo@gmail.com
“Guildwood Village Montessori School is a subsidiary of Kangjia Preschool Education Group, and it is the first Canadian campus in Ontario. Kangjia continues to grow rapidly in Suzhou, China with 16 campuses and aims to expand in Canada. We are a dedicated group of AMI trained Montessori teachers, drawn together by their love of children. They offer their personal gifts, their skills, and their training to provide your child with a complete education through the respectful application of Montessori principles. G.V.M.S. is searching for that special breed of a parent who will work in concert with the school to offer their children the gift of learning. In our school, all children have the opportunity to grow, learn and find a place in society. The children who make up our family groupings are varied in race, religion, physical strength, academic ability, and emotional independence. Our classroom environments are enriched by the qualities of each individual child.” As originally published by Guildwood Village Montessori School
Cardinal Léger Catholic School
Address: 600 Morrish Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 4Y1, Canada | Telephone: 416-393-5419 | Fax: 416-393-5012
“Cardinal Léger Catholic School provides a Catholic education which focuses on Christ’s life as intrinsic to the entire curriculum. Our school is not just a school where academic learning occurs, but more importantly it is a place to teach and model Christian living. We respect individual differences, individual rights and individual responsibilities in following God’s plan for us, with the guidance of His church. Love of God, love of others and love of self are the basic means by which we are to live our lives and conduct our school activities. Our school provides an inviting, safe and welcoming environment where each child can learn, grow and develop.” As originally published by Cardinal Léger Catholic School
ÉÉC Saint-Michel
Address: 29 Meadowvale Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 1R7 | Telephone: 416-393-5421 | Fax: 416-286-3980
“Notre école se distingue par son bâtiment moderne, son emplacement féerique à proximité du Parc Wanita, son engagement dans la Foi, sa considération pour le bien être de tous les enfants, sa vie culturelle riche, son vif esprit francophone et la solide expérience professionnelle de l’équipe qui y oeuvre. Le personnel enseignant est dynamique et engagé dans toutes les initiatives visant l’amélioration du rendement des élèves. De plus, la communauté des parents et amis de l’école est très impliquée pour enrichir la vie scolaire.” As originally published by ÉÉC Saint-Michel
ÉSC Père-Philippe-Lamarche
Address: 2850 Eglinton Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1J, Canada | Telephone: 416-986-6414
“Notre établissement se veut un milieu d’apprentissage et de vie, où la francophonie et les valeurs humaines et religieuses prennent tout leur sens au sein de la communauté franco-ontarienne.” As originally published by ÉSC Père-Philippe-Lamarche
