Welcome!

St. Dominic History     Story of Dominic Savio

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students: 

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a high school education at St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School.  With a student population approaching 400, St. Dominic is an open-access, uniformed high school, which welcomes the interest of any high school student in the District of Muskoka. 

Given today's educational climate, it is vital that families become involved in the high school transitional process for their child.  The decisions made this year are serious ones that can affect the choice of high school for your child, the level of courses taken, the types of courses taken and ultimately the career path that your child may pursue.

St. Dominic has a cutting-edge educational program, giving your child access to the most current technology and resources found in Muskoka.  State-of-the-art computer, audio and video production studios, broad-based technology, arts, darkroom, music, science, and hospitality suites highlight expanded curriculum opportunities available to our students.  For the athlete, a double gym, fitness facility, soccer field and track offer a wide range of co-curricular pursuits for those interested in further developing their athletic prowess. 

As always, St. Dominic will continue to relish the opportunity of providing a secondary education that meets the needs of its learners as well as preparing students for the demands of either post-secondary education or the world of work.  The staff and administration of St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School are committed to delivering a curriculum that is challenging, relevant, rewarding and enriched with the deep faith convictions that make up our Catholic faith experience.

Our course calendar (found within the Info and Students pages) contains a summary of our school services and course offerings at the Grade 9, 10, 11, and 12 (OSS) levels.  It is my hope that this site will answer any questions you may have about St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School.  Should you have any further questions or wish a tour of our new facility, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

St. Dominic History

School History In November 1994, Catholic Secondary education was given the green light to begin planning for a new high school in the Muskoka area. There were enough grade eight students and parents responding to a survey, to indicate a strong desire to continue their Catholic education in the area. The plan was to open a new high school that would offer a full grade nine program the first year and continue to add a grade each year until reaching a full OAC program. Bracebridge Town Council paved the way for Muskoka's first-ever Catholic Secondary School to be temporarily located in the 532 Industrial Mall. Patricia Manson was hired as the first Principal in February 1995, and began to lay the foundations for the new high school. She and then-superintendent Bill Murphy headed up the process of hiring staff and preparing for the September opening. A new era in education began in Muskoka on Tuesday, September 5, 1995 as St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School opened its doors to 63 grade nine students. Seven staff members�Mrs. Manson, Sister Eleanor Gleeson, Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Josee King, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen & Kristan Johnson and Mrs. Sandra Gohm�were on hand to welcome the students on their very first day. For the next four years the students would remain at the 532 Industrial Mall. Excitement grew as the ground-breaking on Cedar Lane took place in June of 1998. On March 22, 1999, Phase One became a reality. 300 students and a staff of 30 explored their new surroundings with much joy and enthusiasm. Only one major project was unable to be completed for the 1999 school year - the cafeteria servery. A year later the cafeteria servery opened its doors to many hungry students. Phase Two began on April 1, 2001, including a double gym, a fitness room, state-of-the-art construction technology and communications technology facilities, art, photography, music and drama areas, as well as a new chapel for prayer, reflection and community worship. Phase Two was finished in early 2003; St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School is now complete. It has a current student population of 350 and continues to serve the needs of all of the high school students of Muskoka.

Story of Dominic Savio Dominic was the second child in a family of ten. His parents, Charles and Brigid Savio, were hard-working peasants. Dominic's politeness and studious manners had a good influence on the other boys. He was known among his classmates as one who was cheerful, friendly, obedient and gave sound advice. Dominic died of tuberculosis just prior to his 15th birthday. His last words were, "What a beautiful thing I see!" Dominic is a true model for youth, since he lived a simple life of virtue - one that can be imitated by youth of all ages. St. Dominic once wrote to a friend, "Here we make sanctity consist in being joyful at all times and in faithfully performing our duties". Dominic followed this simple rule of life: fulfill the duties of being a student do good to companions who by nature are displeasing consume all food and drinks at meals so as not to waste anything study all subjects, even those not appealing be humble when others are chosen ahead of me never complain about the weather, rather thank God for it be bright and cheerful when inclined to be otherwise at every opportunity show love for Jesus Christ John Bosco reminded the future saint, "Obedience is your greatest possible sacrifice."

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