Degrassi Community School

Degrassi Community School is a fictional junior high/high school in the teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation and the titular academy primarily associated with it. It consists of students from grade 7 through grade 12 and the student body is made up of the cultures and backgrounds, paralleling and reflecting the multiculturalism associated with Toronto. The school originally was split up into separate, for grades 7-8 and another for 9-12. In season two, the school decided to merge (mainly so that the characters could all attend the same school) and house grades 7-12. However, this is not a real school; it is a warehouse made to look like one. After season 4, there have been no characters on the show, minor or major, in grades 7 or 8.

History
Degrassi Community School was established in 1976, and it has had students through its halls every day since. Degrassi was simply a junior high school in the late 1980s, but two years later, it was combined with a high school. When the Class of '91 graduated, it was assumed that Degrassi closed down until September 2001, when it was remodeled and had its 10th High School Reunion. Initially a junior high school by 2001, it was the subject of much criticism and praise by students when it underwent a merge, becoming both a high school and junior high school, resulting from a last minute board decision to close a high school. Degrassi Community School was not entirely ready to meet the influx of schools and even made the junior students share lockers.

School cohabitation
In 2007, Degrassi Community School merged with rival school, Lakehurst High, causing tons of friction between both schools resulted in many fights and hatred toward each other.

List of school events
In chronological order:

Season One (September 2001-June 2002)
 * Mother and Child Reunion
 * Degrassi is host to its 10 year reunion for the graduating class of '90-'91
 * Family Politics
 * School Year Begins
 * Degrassi: School Election (Winners: School President: Ashley Kerwin, Secretary: Liberty Van Zandt)
 * Eye of the Beholder
 * "Starlight, Starbright" Dance. First ever nighttime dance.
 * Degrassi Community Food Bank (Ongoing). Partially funded by profits from dance (5$ tickets)
 * Parents' Day
 * Parent Teacher's Day Conference

Faculty

 * Principal Daniel Raditch, (Former) Principal and Literature teacher in the degrassi Jr High series
 * Principal Daphne Hatzilakos, (Former) Science Teacher + Gym/School Coach, Current Principal

 
 * Mr. Archibald Simpson, Media Immersion Teacher
 * Mrs. Laura Kwan, English + Drama Teacher
 * Mr. Darryl Armstrong, Gym/School Coach + Math Teacher
 * Ms. Sauve, School Guidance Counselor
 * Mr. Don Perino, History Teacher
 * Mr. Ellis, Chemistry & Science Teacher
 * Mrs. Smith, Secretary
 * '''Ms. Emma Nelson
 * Sheila, (Former) Lunch Lady

Media Immersion Program
One of the most distinctive programs featured in the Degrassi Community School, is its Media Immersion Program (taught by Mr. Simpson and held in the computer lab). The program features over 50 high speed computers with internet access (via ADSL as of 2001) and other educational programs. It also features the most up to date media software programs, all part of the new renovation planned by Mr. Raditch, "proudly bringing Degrassi to the 21st Century".

Computer lab uses network notably using a system called "D-Mail" where students may instant message each other and of course, send e-mails.

Eighteen new computers were provided by the television program NaK, News About Kids, in exchange for showing their morning broadcasts. Though biased and a source for propaganda which also promotes certain commercial products, the NaK broadcasts were consented to be shown by vote of parents of the Degrassi students.

Layout
Completely renovated and changed by 2001, the Degrassi Community School features untraditional design schemes using new materials. Named a Community School, Degrassi does not follow the typical public school layout but closer to being identified as an alternative school. By 2002, the school had yet again been completely changed and reinvented as it underwent a merge to become both a Junior High School and High School.

There are multiple unique aspects of the Degrassi school. In the spacious front lobby, a mural outlooks the front steps, one later redrawn by Jimmy Brooks. Written primarily at the top of the walls above the locker/hallway areas, there are a number of black-fonted inspirational quotes employed. The main foyer is host to Degrassi's own motto, written larger and bolder than the other quotes.

The actual set for where the school scenes are shot in is a warehouse in an Epitome Pictures studio. Outfitted to look like an actual school, the set features perhaps the most intricate and detailed designs, including numerous flyers, bulletins, and posters pertaining to the fictional Degrassi Community School. The studio is also used for filming the other sets, such as character's rooms, in the series.

Inspirational quotes
Main Foyer

(School Motto) The perfect human being is all human beings put together, it is a collective, it is all of us together that make perfection. Socrates Unknown

"Human beings must be known to be loved; but Divine beings must be loved to be known." Blaise Pascal

Across from Computer Lab "Wisdom begins in Wonder." Socrates

Across from Health Room

"Creativity is seeing what everyone sees and thinking what no one has ever thought." Albert Einstein

Across from Science Classroom "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Carl Sagan

Student council

 * President: Ashley Kerwin
 * Vice-President: Liberty Van Zandt
 * Beginning of Presidency: Family Polictics
 * End of Presidency: Before King of Pain
 * President: Marco Del Rossi
 * Vice-President: Alex Nunez
 * Beginning of Presidency: King of Pain
 * End of Presidency: Death of a Disco Dancer
 * President: Liberty Van Zandt
 * Vice-President: Toby Isaacs
 * Beginning of Presidency: Death of a Disco Dancer
 * End of Presidency: Ongoing

Class of '90-'91

 * Joey Jeremiah
 * Christine "Spike" Nelson
 * Caitlin Ryan
 * Archie "Snake" Simpson
 * Lucy Fernandez
 * Derek "Wheels" Wheeler

Class of '03-'04

 * Dylan Michalchuk
 * Tom (Surname Unknown)

Class of '05-'06

 * Hazel Aden
 * Marco Del Rossi
 * Paige Michalchuk
 * Ellie Nash
 * Alex Nunez (returned to Degrassi to earn more credits)

Extras

 * Scott Anderson


 * Susan Brown
 * Vickie Chan
 * Helena DeFuca


 * Debbie Fenton
 * Penelope Frasier
 * Chris Henderson


 * Steven Ho
 * Peter James
 * Carrie Joseph


 * Anna Nichols

Class of '06-'07 [TBA]

 * Jimmy Brooks
 * Toby Isaacs
 * Ashley Kerwin
 * Gavin "Spinner" Mason
 * Emma Nelson
 * Manny Santos
 * Christopher Sharpe
 * Heather Sinclair
 * Liberty Van Zandt
 * Tim (surname unknown)

Lakehurst students

 * Sav
 * Jane V,
 * Anya
 * Holly J.
 * Johnny DiMarco
 * Nic
 * Drake (currently in jail)
 * Damine
 * Lucas
 * Nora

Class of '07-'08 [TBA]

 * Chante Black
 * Darcy Edwards
 * Derek Haig
 * Mia Jones
 * Kendra Mason
 * Peter Stone
 * Danny Van Zandt

Other

 * Sean Cameron - (expelled in 2006)
 * Jay Hogart - (expelled in 2005, later dropped out)
 * Terri MacGregor - (transferred to private school in 2004)
 * Craig Manning - (dropped out in 2006 to pursue music career)
 * Rick Murray - (deceased)
 * Kevin Smith - (honorary diploma)
 * J. T. Yorke - (deceased)

Website
The show's official website features Locker Pages, and many other Degrassi School-themed pages. The show also features such pages in episodes, including D-Mail. In recent seasons, the system seems to not be used any longer.

Trivia

 * Address: 240 Degrassi St.


 * Phone Number: (416) 555-7627, 555-1950
 * Postal Code: M4A 1Q3