In September 1989, Whitefield Christian Academy opened its doors in the basement of Toronto Free Presbyterian Church at 1355 Warden Avenue, just south of Ellesmere Road. The first enrolment had sixteen pupils, ranging from SK to Grade 5, under the oversight of Principal Dr. Ruth Slade, assisted by Mrs. Jill Saunders.  On that first day, Dr. Frank McClelland, founder, saw his vision for Christian education become a reality.

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By the second year, the school enrolment had doubled, new staff were added as well as two new grades, JK and Grade 6, with a subsequent grade added each year. A substantial gift from the McComb family made it possible to purchase the Butternut Learning Centre from Mrs.Coombs (wife of Ernie Coombs, "Mr. Dress-Up", popular children's television personality). Located on Finch Avenue East, just west of Neilson Road, it was ideal to accommodate the student body which had doubled again by the third year of operation.

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By 1994, the "McComb Building" was becoming too small for the student population, which had grown to over 100, and the older students had to relocate to the new adjacent church building. In 1995, Whitefield Christian Collegiate Institute commenced as a registered high school with the Ministry of Education in Ontario. 

 

​In 1999, a new school building over 35,000 sq.ft. was built for grades 4-12, as well as additional facilities such as a double gymnasium, twelve classrooms, art room, science lab, computer lab, music room, industrial shop, offices, kitchen, and an upper level auditorium. 

 

​Since 1999, Whitefield has been graduating high school students, many of whom are honourable Christian men and women making a difference in their communities, both in Canada and across the world, as physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, business people, teachers, designers, engineers, surgeons, artists, musicians, IT professionals, electricians, and much more.

 

Today, there are over 40 staff members (including part-time) and over 260 students.

 

Putting God first has always been a priority at Whitefield. God has given us 33 years of His blessing and wonderful provision. Therefore, we trust Him for the future, and pray continually that every  student that comes through Whitefield's doors will not only excel in life, but will come to know Jesus Christ personally.