More Information

The Baron Strathcona was otherwise known as Donald Smith (1820-1914), the prominent Canadian railway builder. This is the second school by that name on this site; the first Strathcona School was opened in 1905 and demolished after this new school was operational in 1963.

Design Characteristics

• It is a beautiful elementary school that tucks in perfectly with the street in the residential neighbourhood it serves
• The front facade has two sections flanking a lower entrance link that is made inviting with the use of long windows and crisp details in dark brown brick and white trim; a small garden against the wall further softens the appearance
• The plan has not been altered from 1962; it forms a modified H shape with the entrance bay and hallway in the centre
• The academic wing is two storeys high with a regular window pattern that gives each classroom a larger and smaller window; the windows have minimal white frames but are separated vertically by bright white spandrels
• The opposite side has the multi-purpose room and has only plain walls in the dark brick
• The school seems to be in an excellent state of maintenance; the yard and surrounding boulevards have many large trees