The Toronto Star released an article¹ following a news rally at Firgrove Public School in the Jane and Finch area, Toronto on May 15, 2026. Parents, trustees, union leaders, education advocates, researchers, and community members including Dr. Sejal Patel, are calling for renewed and sustainable funding for the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) Model Schools for Inner Cities program. 

What are Model Schools and why are they important?

Model Schools for Inner Cities is an internationally recognized initiative that started in 2006 and has supported more than 56,000 elementary-aged students each year who live in lower sociodemographic neighbourhoods. The program improves access to opportunities for student educational success and well-being that go beyond standard classroom teaching including:

• Community, family resources² and programs³ that help families navigate the school system.
• Targeted academic support⁴ to support educational success in the classroom, including learning coaches to support classroom pedagogy and summer programs for students.
• Essential school-based health⁵ and wellness⁶ programs and initiatives for student and family well-being, including school-based health clinics and nutrition programs. 

Decades of data⁷ show that Model School students have significant improvements in early childhood language and cognitive development and EQAO test scores compared to the general population, along with improved high school graduation rates.

What funding cuts to Model Schools mean

The announced cuts by the TDSB to hundreds of positions including all Model School community support workers means the dismantling of essential support for TDSB’s equity deserving communities. 

Call to Action

To preserve and enhance access to opportunities for all students:

• Funding for Model Schools must be protected.
• The Learning Opportunities Index⁸ be kept in place. 
• Maintain Model Schools central and school-based staff who support equity deserving students and schools.

References:

1. Angry community members rally to protect TDSB’s ‘gutted’ model schools (2026). Torstar Syndication Services, a Division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/angry-community-members-rally-to-protect-tdsbs-gutted-model-schools/article_c154b982-0ac6-47b1-9d6b-a2ccc969bbd2.html 
2. Cummins, N. & Patel, S. (2021). School leadership and family-school-community partnerships: Knowledge mobilization summary report. Toronto, ON: School of Early Childhood Studies, Ryerson University. https://geec.blog.torontomu.ca/files/2021/10/FINAL_School-Leadership_07.27.21-1.pdf
3. Patel, S., Bemister, K. & Yau, M. (2020). Programs, Services and Supports for Newcomer and Culturally Diverse Families within Model Schools for Inner Cities (MSIC): Knowledge mobilization summary report. Toronto, ON: School of Early Childhood Studies, Ryerson University. https://geec.blog.torontomu.ca/files/2020/12/Newcomer-Families-FINAL12.14.20-1.pdf
4. Patel, S., Yau, M., & Bemister, K. (2021). Structural supports for learning coaches: Lessons learned from Model Schools for Inner Cities. Toronto, ON: School of Early Childhood Studies, Ryerson University. https://geec.blog.torontomu.ca/files/2022/03/MSICLCReport_FinalSP.pdf
5. Yau M, De Jesus S, Tam G, Rosolen L. Model Schools Paediatric Health Initiative: In-school health clinics, phase IV: Summative evaluation. (Research Report No. 15/16-14). December 2015. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Toronto District School Board. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/research/docs/reports/MSPHI-PhaseIVRptFINAL15Jun16.pdf
6. Patel, S. (2018). Student and teacher perspectives on Model Schools for Inner Cities: Knowledge mobilization summary report. Toronto, ON: School of Early Childhood Studies, Ryerson University. https://geec.blog.torontomu.ca/files/2019/05/5.-FP_Sejal_CR-MSIC_PRINT_2019-03-14_FINAL.pdf
7. Yau M, Archer B, Romard R. Model Schools for Inner Cities: A 10-year overview. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Toronto District School Board. Research Today. 2018; 10, (1). https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/research/docs/reports/ResearchTodayMSIC10yearsFINAL14Mar18.pdf 
8. Toronto District School Board. (2023). The 2023 Learning Opportunities Index: Questions and answers. Toronto District School Board. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/research/docs/reports/LOI2023.pdf