90 Bur Oak Ave., Markham L6C 2E6
Phone: (905) 887-2216, (647) 795-7555
Fax: (905) 887-7783
Email: pierre.elliott.trudeau.hs@yrdsb.ca
Bell Times: 8:10 AM – 2:50 PM
Introduction
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School (PET) in Markham, Ontario, is a public institution that provides a bilingual education in both English and French immersion. Established in honor of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, the secondary school began its academic journey in September 2002 with an initial enrollment of 500 students in grades 8 to 10. The school is renowned for its specialized academic programs, strong athletic teams, and vibrant music offerings. Its motto, “Strive Higher, Soar Further,” reflects the school’s dedication to inspiring students to set ambitious goals and expand their horizons for both academic and personal achievement.
Acknowledging the diverse needs of its students, Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School actively tackles challenges such as lack of motivation and difficulties in developing learning skills. By fostering open communication and incorporating feedback from students and staff, the school has implemented various strategies to enhance overall learning and post-secondary success. These strategies include integrating critical thinking into the curriculum, offering comprehensive guidance on post-secondary pathways, and providing students with access to a range of resources and opportunities to help them set goals and determine how to achieve them. The school’s continuous improvement plan focuses on strengthening community relationships to ensure that students remain engaged, motivated, and well-prepared to navigate their unique educational paths.
Highlights
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School has a notable record of academic achievements, particularly in various competitions. The school has consistently excelled at the McMaster University Engineering Olympics, securing victories in multiple events. Since 2005, the school’s participation in the York Region Science Olympics has resulted in it being ranked in the top 7. Moreover, students at PETHS have showcased their academic prowess by participating in the University of Toronto Biology Contest since 2004, consistently placing in the top third among international schools. Additionally, the school’s Computer Science Club clinched victories in the YRDSB ECOO Programming Competition for both 2016 and 2017.
PEHS also has a widely recognized and reputable music program. Notably, the program has achieved the Gold Level at OBA competitions and also made PETHS first Canadian school to secure 8 Gold Awards at MusicFest Canada. With substantial growth, the department now boasts over 700 students and has embarked on musical journeys to cities like New York City, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Distinguished composers, including Samuel Hazo and Frank Ticheli, have been welcomed by the department. Trudeau Music adds vibrancy to the school year with three annual concerts: A Celebration of Bands, Winter Melodies, and Spring Harmonies.
Academics
In addition to its offering of the French Immersion program, PETHS also offers the High Performance Athlete (HPA) program for competing athletes and Dual Credit. The school also features Quadmester programs which are available to students in Grade 10 to Grade 12. These programs are organized so that the student takes two credits in a nine-week period, enabling them to obtain four credits in a semester. Additionally, PETHS offers the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Art and Culture, Business and Health and Wellness.
Clubs and Extracurricular Activities
At PETHS, students have the opportunities to get involved in a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities such as:
Musical Theatre
Concert Band
Drama Club
Folk Dance
Yearbook Club
Content Creator Club
Battle of the Books
Science Club
Coding Club
Student Council
GSA/PRIDE Club
Black Student Association
Sports and Athletics
The following athletic clubs and sports teams are offered at PETHS:
Cross Country
Flag Football
Volleyball
Soccer
Cricket
Curling
Basketball
Dodgeball
Badminton
Lacrosse
Flag Rugby
Tchoukball
Track & Field
Hurdles
Ultimate Frisbee
3-Pitch
References
Activities. (2022, November 18). Pierreelliotttrudeau.ddsb.ca. https://pierreelliotttrudeau.ddsb.ca/en/students/activities.aspx
Pages – Courses. (n.d.). Www.yrdsb.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/trudeau.hs/DeptPrograms/shsm/Pages/Courses.aspx
Pages – Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School. (n.d.). Www.yrdsb.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/trudeau.hs/Pages/default.aspx
Pages – School Improvement Plan. (n.d.). Www.yrdsb.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/trudeau.hs/info/Pages/School-Improvement-Plan.aspx
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School. (2023, November 2). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Elliott_Trudeau_High_School
