Rosedale Heights School Of The Arts

  • Founded in 1963
  • 970 (At least) students
  • 15 reviews about this school
  • 3.2 / 5 by Reviews

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up" -Pablo Picasso, Rosedale Heights School Of The Arts is the only arts school in the Toronto District School Board that does not use auditions for acceptance.

About Rosedale Heights School Of The Arts

Welcome to Rosedale Heights School Of The Arts

Rosedale Heights School of the Arts also known as RHSA has a 670-seat auditorium, two-band/orchestra rehearsal spaces, three fully equipped dance studios, two drama rooms, a dark room, a vocal room, and various visual art studios used for printmaking, graphic design, etc.

The French program at Rosedale Heights offers academic and enriched courses. Students in grade 9 can study French at the applied, academic or enriched level. In grade 10 they can study at the academic or enriched level; and in grades 11 and 12 students can study French at the university level. The French department emphasizes the communicative approach and learning French in a fun and creative atmosphere. All French classrooms are equipped with media technology such as the Smartboard and technology is regularly integrated into the curriculum

History:

Formerly, Castle Frank, the school has been reinvented and re-purposed by Principal Barrie Sketchley. It is a non-semester school with an emphasis on the arts. Students can take dance, dramatic arts, music-instrumental (band or strings), vocals, visual and media arts. In 2005, Maclean's Magazine named RHSA one of the best arts-focus high schools in Canada, as well as one of the three best special-focus schools in Canada

Special Alumni:

Petra Collins - photographer 
Kristy Yang - actress
Jordan Miller - Lead Singer, The Beaches
Kylie Miller - Lead Guitar, The Beaches
Eliza Enman-McDaniel - Drummer, The Beaches
Leandra Earl - Keyboard - The Beaches

At Rosedale, students can also develop skills specifically for theatre and production. In Grade 10, students can take a Technical Theatre course, where they learn the workings of the backstage. They learn to set up and operate theatrical sound and lighting systems, how to draft a set to scale, stage management and basic theatrical design. In grades 11 and 12 senior students can take Drama Production, in which students develop a main stage play as actors and production crew. After the main stage show, grade 11 Drama Production students write scripts that are selected for production for our in-school Fringe Festival, a four-night festival of short plays that are scripted, directed, produced, and performed by students in the course.

Principal: Barrie Sketchley

Values:

• Each and every student
• Inclusiveness and excellence in all programs
• The uniqueness and diversity of our students
• The commitment and skills of our staff
•  A learning environment that is safe, nurturing, positive, and respectful

Art allows students to:


• explore their feelings and emotions
• reconcile conflicts
• become more self-aware
• manage and improve behaviour
• develop their artistic skills
• improve performance in other areas
• achieve personal insight
• receive tremendous pleasure
• reduce stress and anxiety
• gain self-confidence
• increase self-esteem
• improve their sense of well-being
• think outside the box
• express themselves creatively
RHSA accepts students from all over the Greater Toronto Area. It is the only art school in the Toronto District School Board that does not use auditions for acceptance. It is also the only art school that encourages students to explore interdisciplinary arts by not expecting students to choose a "major" in one art and making students select a variety of art courses in their first two years at the school.
Art in any form, whether while creating or observing, reduces the stress hormone called cortisol. It also releases the feel-good hormones called endorphins which help you combat stress and pain. By letting you enjoy a sense of fulfilment, it transforms you into a more positive, well-rounded human being.

 

What do students and parents think about Rosedale Heights School Of The Arts?

Average rating: 3.2 / 5

15 reviews


Guest wrote on (2023-Oct-24) :

The music theatre and dance shows at this school are top-notch and really fun. I've been blown away by their choreographies. Big shoutout to the instructors!

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Guest wrote on (2023-Oct-24) :

Here's a rewritten version of the text: Kids love playing on this stage with its easy access, good stage setup, comfy seats, and it's a great spot for school activities.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Mar-15) :

Rosedale Heights truly stands out! Both of my children attended and excelled here, thanks to an extraordinary arts curriculum that seamlessly blends rigorous academics with creative excellence. Each performance—be it musical theatre, dance, or recitals—showcases the dedication of its students, shaping well-rounded, confident individuals.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Mar-10) :

I attended Rosedale Heights during my first year of high school but decided to transfer afterward. While I was impressed by standout educators—especially Mr. Lin in science and an exceptional English teacher—the overall teaching quality was inconsistent. The principal’s humor made it easy to forge friendships, yet a dismissive remark from one music teacher during a recital left me disappointed. The school’s small, drama-prone environment ultimately did not meet my expectations.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Apr-05) :

During my first visit to Rosedale Heights, I was greeted by an incredibly helpful representative named Victoria. She took the time to thoroughly explain the school’s programs without any pressure, offering genuine insights into both the artistic and academic aspects. Her friendly professionalism set a very positive tone for the school community.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Mar-28) :

At a recent school event, refreshments were promised, yet every student only received a single treat. The moderator’s tone felt unwelcoming and passive-aggressive, and despite mentioning a second round, no additional treats were provided. It was a disappointing experience that left much to be desired.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Mar-22) :

I have serious reservations about the management at Rosedale Heights. I witnessed several instances where discriminatory behavior was not adequately addressed—most notably, an incident in the drama department where a teacher made highly inappropriate, racially charged remarks. Such negligence leaves students feeling unsafe, and I would recommend exploring other options for a truly supportive arts program.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Apr-02) :

In my honest opinion, Rosedale Heights may not be the best choice for students from less privileged backgrounds. Although the arts programs are robust, the overall community can feel exclusive and overly negative. Combined with issues like drug misuse and a high-pressure environment, the experience is less than ideal.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Mar-18) :

Rosedale Heights does have some dedicated arts teachers and a fine auditorium, yet the overall environment feels disheartening. The school appears to neglect its sports and academic facilities—there are hardly any proper outdoor fields or athletic resources. Students tend to congregate idly during breaks, which only adds to a prevailing sense of despondency.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Mar-12) :

My time at the school was disappointing due to a toxic atmosphere. I observed that some students, particularly those from privileged backgrounds, bullied others without any effective intervention. Furthermore, teachers showed little initiative in stopping drug transactions just outside the school’s perimeter. It was an environment that left a lot to be desired.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Mar-25) :

I was fortunate to be among the pioneer students in the performing arts program at Rosedale Heights. The school impressed me with its supportive staff and warm, creative community. I especially cherish the exceptional dance instruction provided by Mrs. Marsh, which has left enduring, treasured memories.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Apr-10) :

The musical theatre and dance shows at Rosedale Heights are exceptionally polished and engaging. The performances are marked by innovative choreography and high production values, and I applaud the instructors for their creative vision and commitment to excellence.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Apr-08) :

I believe the school’s focus is overly skewed toward the arts, which restricts the range of programs available to students. Although the art curriculum is well-developed, this narrow emphasis leaves little room for broader academic exploration.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Apr-05) :

I witnessed a disturbing incident in one of the bathrooms where two female students appeared to misuse substances—snorting what looked like molly and taking an LSD tab. Such behavior, occurring in a place meant for learning, raises serious concerns about student supervision.

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Guest wrote on (2025-Apr-02) :

I’ve embraced a quirky tradition at Rosedale Heights by performing a series of rituals to honor what I humorously call the "coffee god." This eccentric campus ritual has become a fun and memorable part of my experience here, and I plan to continue it in the future—earning a unique 10/10 in its own right.

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