Parents of students at a downtown Toronto high school for girls with special needs are demanding the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) explore alternative options after learning of a planned relocation. Heydon Park Secondary School, located near Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue, is set to be moved to an undetermined site to make room for students from Orde Street Public School, which faces closure due to nearby construction.
Relocation Decision Angers Parents
Earlier this week, parents received a letter from TDSB Superintendent Jennifer Chan explaining that Orde Street Public School will close temporarily because of a 60-storey tower being built at 149 College Street. The tower, adjacent to the school's outdoor play area, will cause vibration, noise, traffic, and falling object risks. The letter stated that relocating Heydon Park is the best option to accommodate the 400 Orde Street students, with the move potentially happening as early as January 2027.
Kamala Kalsi, parent of a Heydon Park student and co-chair of the school's parent council, expressed outrage at the lack of consultation. “Fifty per cent of the students are special needs with various types of disabilities, including autism, mild intellectual disabilities, and physical disabilities,” she said. The other half includes students who have experienced trauma, sexual abuse, harassment, or bullying, including transgender and non-binary students.
Concerns for Vulnerable Students
Kalsi emphasized that Heydon Park is fully accessible and equipped with technology and accommodations tailored to its students. “If you look at the TDSB website, they say they believe in inclusion, success of special-need students, and safety of students,” she said. “They’ve violated everything because they’ve not consulted anybody.” The timing of the announcement, just before the school’s annual prom, added to the distress.
The TDSB operates 12 stand-alone special education schools across Toronto, including Sunny View Junior and Senior Public School in North York, William J. McCordic School in East York, and Park Lane Public School in the Bridle Path. A TDSB spokesperson defended the decision, stating that relocating Heydon Park is the best option for Orde Street students and that parent meetings will be scheduled to gather feedback.
Parents argue that uprooting a stable, thriving community of special-needs girls is not the only solution. “The TDSB needs to stop this move,” Kalsi said. “They’re basically playing with these girls’ future.”
