We provide students with a unique educational opportunity by preparing them for university and college through challenging academic programs with an emphasis on the performing and visual arts. Our facilities include: science labs, technology and video communications equipment, dance studios, drama studios, music studios, a dark room, visual arts studios, a fitness centre and a swimming pool. Rosedale offers a wide selection of courses in academic and artistic areas of study complemented by numerous opportunities for extra-curricular involvement in student clubs and sports. 

Dance

World Dance: Ballet, Modern, Contemporary

Study dance as a beginner or as an experienced dancer. Our teachers work closely with you to determine your placement in the most appropriate level. All students perform in our end-of-year Dance Show. Throughout the year, dance students perform in concerts and assemblies. Grade 12 dance students present original compositions performed by dancers in grades 9 – 12 at our Annual Choreographic Workshops. Inexperienced male dancers may select an all male class for beginners until they feel prepared for our co-ed classes.

Interesting Feature

School of the Arts

Rosedale students are challenged in an academic program with an arts focus. Every year our students enjoy many opportunities to be actively involved - a mainstage production of a full length play, a musical, dance shows, evenings of music, and a variety of Visual and Media Arts shows. They also participate in the Sears Drama Festival, produce a series of student choreographed dance pieces, write plays for a Fringe Drama Festival, produce their own films and display their own photographs. At Rosedale Heights, students are nurtured and grow their talents! 

More Information about Rosedale Heights School of the Arts

Dramatic Arts : Acting. Directing. Production. Playwriting.

Students may experience being a performer, playwright, technician, designer and critic in our comprehensive program. They will be encouraged to question, interpret and shape meaning, as well as challenged to examine their personal, collective and artistic choices both in class and in public performances.

Media/Visual Arts : Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpting, Video, Film, Computer Art or Non-traditional Visual Arts.

Students may engage their imagination through artistic problem solving. Grade 9 courses develop understanding in fine arts and Grade 10 into media arts. Grade 11 and 12 students continue in courses that focus on the integration of theory and art creation.

Music : Band. Composition. Orchestra. Strings. Vocal.

Students may select from these musical areas from beginner to enriched levels. Participate in ensembles, bands, orchestra and a multitude of musical performances. Experience a wide variety of musical genres from various cultures. Senior students who read music may study composition and arranging or specialize in guitar. 

Musical Theatre : Singing. Dancing. Acting.

Become a triple threat! Students may choose musical theatre in Grades 11 or 12 if they have studied dance, vocal music and drama in Grades 9 or 10. All musical theatre students rotate through these three areas, performing in various class pieces, as well as a full-scale musical production.

Additional Features

• Rigourous Academic Programs
• 5th year Enrichment Courses
• Co-operative Education
• Intramurals
• Co-Curricular Arts Programs
• Educational Travel & Excursions
• Peer Tutoring
• Enriched French Program 

Student Life - Where You Belong

Students may join a team, including archery, baseball, basketball, cross-country running, swimming, and ultimate frisbee. Or join a club: pointe ballet, French, hip-hop, Kids for Kenya, badminton, library, improv, and our Rosedale Theatre Company. Work in our large greenhouse. Support others through our SPA, gay-straight alliance, harm reduction, or environmental action group. Join our active Student Council. If they like to travel, they may participate in one of our many annual trips which may take them to exciting destinations such as New York, Japan, or Kenya! Students may swim at lunch, work out in the fitness room or participate in intramural activities. Students relax during lunch in the park-like setting surrounding our school, a Canadian heritage site. The heart of our school is the phenomenal bond forged by students as they work together creatively. Our students socialize across the grades inclusively and stand together against racism, homophobia and bullying. Our students embrace individual differences and freedom of expression. Our parents often comment that Rosedale is the first school where their child feels welcomed and safe.

What Sets Us Apart

Rosedale Heights School of the Arts

We are proud to be a truly inclusive school for the arts. We do not audition because we believe in equity for all students, regardless of background and access to arts education. We are proud that we have dance, drama, music and visual art students accepted into post-secondary programs who begin their studies in these disciplines with us. Our community partnerships create wonderful opportunities to work with successful, professional artists such as Danny Grossman, and arts organizations such as Soulpepper Theatre and the Toronto Chamber Choir. Graduate, medical and law schools are now demanding that applicants demonstrate divergent thinking, creativity and empathy. Our dual thrust program consisting of high academic achievement and artistic excellence is a direct path to your future goals. Our graduates attend Ontario Colleges and Universities as well as other universities in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Quebec and the United States.

Parent and Community Engagement

Parents have an opportunity to be directly involved in educational programs through the School Council and the Parents Arts Committee. Meetings are held regularly on topics of concern to families in our community. Our parents contribute in many ways to the various Arts programs, including displaying their Visual Arts in our annual Parent/Teacher Juried Art Show and producing our Parents Arts Council Newsletter. Each year our parents raise thousands of dollars for our various Arts programs in our Parent Auction.