Cornell Junior Public School has received the 2010 Garfield Weston Award for Excellence in Education.
The award, in the Determination in Academic Achievement category, was presented to the school at the gala reception on March 23.
Last year, Cornell was runner-up for this award.
The win was the results of lots of hard work and support, said Cornell principal Tom Hanmer in his acceptance speech.
“Cornell’s strength is that of our team,” Hanmer said. “A team that is focused on improving student achievement through high expectations and accountability, a culture of collaboration and a partnership of parent and community engagement.”
Runners-up were Agincourt Junior Public School and Belled Margherita of Citta di Castello Catholic school. Each earned a $1,000 prize, while Cornell received a $3,000 prize.
The community-based public school, near Lawrence Ave. and Scarborough Golf Club Rd., was opened in 1959 and is named after the Cornells, one of the first families to settle in the area.
Toronto schools dominated the awards this year by placing first in every category. Kennedy Junior Public school won the award for Overall Academic Achievement and J.R. Wilcox Community School won for Improvement in Academics.
The awards are based on an analysis conducted by the Fraser Institute’s annual report card of elementary schools in Ontario as well as the standardized testing of grade 3 and 6 students administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).
