89 Church St., Markham L3P 2M3
Phone: (905) 294-1886, (647) 795-7667
Fax: (905) 294-8141
Email: markham.dhs@yrdsb.ca
Bell Times: 8:10 AM - 2:50 PM

Introduction

Markham District High School places a strong emphasis on empowering students, inspiring them to actively contribute to and care for the global community. The school's mission is to motivate students not only to excel academically but also to embrace a mindset of continuous learning, inclusivity, and community development. At the core of this ethos is the school motto "Labor Omnia Vincit" or "Work Conquers All," symbolizing the belief that diligence and effort lead to success in all aspects of life.

The school’s original construction commenced in 1953 on Church Street, and it was opened in September 1954. Over the years, recognizing the need for expansion to accommodate a growing student population, additions were made in 1964 and 1970. This initial building served the community until the end of the 2009/2010 school year, upon which it was demolished. In 2010, the Markham District High School witnessed the completion of its new and current building, replacing the old structure. The former site was repurposed into a green space, featuring a walking trail, small garden, and picnic tables. Contemporary facilities within the new building include a cafetorium, stage, library, and resource center, along with a double gymnasium, weight room, art and music rooms, and state-of-the-art labs for computer, communications, and science studies.

Highlights

Markham District High School excels in its athletic program, as demonstrated by the achievements of its various sports teams. In the 2015–16 season, both the boys and girls curling teams won the YRAA championships and represented the school at OFSAA in North Bay. The girls curling team won the 2013–14 YRAA championships and achieved an impressive 4th place in OFSAA in Brampton. The girls flag football team has also been a dominant force, winning numerous YRAA championships consecutively and securing the OFSAA victory in the 2015–2016 school year. Additionally, the junior boys volleyball team made a mark by winning the YRAA championship in 2019, winning multiple YRAA championships and claiming victory in OFSAA in the 2015–2016 school year.

Markham District High School has also gained recognition for its exceptional music program, which actively participates in various music festivals, competitions, and school events. The program encourages students to delve into music independently, offering diverse ensembles like chamber music, jazz, and contemporary music for their involvement. Furthermore, MDHS houses the Markham Vocal program, featuring three choirs that contribute to the rich and diverse musical atmosphere within the school. MDHS is also one of the 60 schools in Ontario with a Classics department and offers a three-year Latin program, catering to students with an interest in this classical language.

The school also takes pride in its legacy of producing successful alumni who have excelled in various fields. Notable figures include Steve Thomas and Brad May, both of whom achieved recognition as NHL ice hockey players. Additionally, Frank Scarpitti, an alumnus of MDHS, has risen to prominence as the current Mayor of the Town of Markham.

Academics
MDHS offers the Advanced Placement (AP) program and the Core Gifted program. It also Dual Credit (DC) as well as the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Construction and Not-for-profit. Additionally it offers the Exploring Opportunities Program (EOP) which allows students to focus on developing a high skill level in a particular technology.

Sports and Athletics

The school’s official sports team is the Markham Marauders.

Students may participate in the following sports:

Football
Basketball
Volleyball
Curling
Rugby
Soccer
Softball
Baseball

Clubs and Extracurricular Activities

Markham District High School offers a broad range of student clubs, providing diverse
opportunities for students to explore and engage in various groups and activities. These include:

Music Council
Tamil Student Association (TSA)
Art Club
EcoMarkham
Solar Dance Club
L.E.A.D.
Chess Club
HOSA
Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Club
PRISM
Chinese Student Association (CSA)
Health & Wellness
DECA
Muslim Student Association (MSA)
MDHS AV Team
Classics Club
Markham Christian Fellowship (MCF)
Desi Student Association (DSA)
Anime Club
Peer Mentors
American Sign Language Club
Markham Basketball Association
Best Buddies
Comp Sci Club
Debate Club
Multicultural Awareness Club
Markham Business Opportunities
Running Club
STEAM
Table Tennis Club
Women's Empowerment Club
Youth Volunteering Initiative
UNICEF MDHS

MDHS also participates in the following annual events:

Annual Earth Hour Assembly organized by EcoMarkham
Black History Month
Battle of the Bands
"Cabaret" music night
Canadian Computing Competition
Mosaic Mix Cultural Show
Heart and Stroke Foundation Campaign
Canadian Cancer Society Cure for Cancer Campaign
Certamen
Ontario Student Classics Conference
Free The Children Holiday Run

References
ABOUT THE school. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2023, from https://www.cls-idiomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Markham-District-High-School.pdf

Markham District High School. (2023, September 25). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markham_District_High_School

Markham District Marauders - Sports. (n.d.). BVM Sports. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from https://bvmsports.com/high-school/on/markham/markham-district-high-school/sports/

MDHS SAC - Clubs. (n.d.). Www.mdhssac.com. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from https://www.mdhssac.com/clubs

Pages - Markham District High School. (n.d.). Www.yrdsb.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/markhamdistrict.hs/pages/default.aspx

Pages - (S.H.S.M.) - Specialist High Skills Major. (n.d.). Www.yrdsb.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/markhamdistrict.hs/DeptPrograms/shsm/Pages/default.aspx