Lessons Learned: The Evolution of Education in Ontario

The Archives of Ontario holds a rich collection of government records documenting the evolution of elementary and secondary education in Ontario from 1799 to the present-day.

This exhibit starts with the first legislation establishing public schools in Upper Canada in 1807, but focuses primarily on the formative period beginning in 1846 when, during Egerton Ryerson’s tenure as Chief Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction, an organized and efficient education system was firmly established.

Key elements such as the administration of school boards, the construction of schoolhouses, teacher training, and curriculum development are the foundation of Ontario’s education system. These are explored through archival documents, photographs, architectural records, and moving images.

Photo: School Section (S.S.) No. 2, Gordon Township, [ca. 1905]

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School Section (S.S.) No. 2, Gordon Township, [ca. 1905]
George Irwin fonds
Black and white print
Reference Code: C 119-1-0-0-14
Archives of Ontario, I0014121

Laying the Groundwork Rev. Dr. Egerton Ryerson Dr. John George Hodgins Adam Crooks

A Centre for Learning: The Education Department Building, 1851-1962 Provincial Educational Depository Provincial Educational Museum

Public School Boards: Reorganization, Division, Consolidation and Growth School Busses

Schoolhouses The One-Room Schoolhouse Railway School Cars

Raising the Standards Teacher Training School Inspectors Schools and Teachers in the Province of Ontario

Curriculum: The 3 Rs The ABCs of Traffic Safety - Colouring Book Textbooks and School Libraries Departmental Exams

Fostering Patriotism and Good Citizenship Military Training and the War Effort Ontario Farm Service Force

Education for Life Agricultural Training Physical Education Class Trips

From Blackboard to Web

Sources and Resources The Ministries and Ministers of the Department of Education

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Teacher and students, Holland Marsh, [ca. 1953]
Gordon W. Powley fonds
Black and white negative
Reference Code: C 5-1-0-183-12
Archives of Ontario, I0002831

There are numerous film clips in this exhibit. To view them you will need either Windows Media Player or Quicktime Player. If you do not have one of these players and wish to download a free copy, click on the appropriate graphic to the right.

Feedback

Please let us know what you thought of this exhibit. We also welcome any suggestions for ways it can be improved so please take a few moments to send us your comments by filling in the form below.

Personal information provided to the Archives through this request will be used only to respond to requests. This information is collected under the authority of the Archives and Recordkeeping Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, chapter 34, Schedule A.
Questions about the collection of this information should be directed to: Team Leader, Strategic Business Solutions, Archives of Ontario, 77 Grenville St. Toronto, ON, M5S 1B3, 416-327-1527.