Toronto’s skyline is climbing higher every year, and along with it, families are choosing to make their homes in condominium communities. This shift has created a challenge that city planners and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) are working hard to solve: how to give children access to quality education without having to leave their neighbourhoods. One solution gaining momentum is the podium school, an approach that has been used successfully in cities around the world.

A podium school brings the classroom into the same building where families live, often occupying the lower floors of a mixed-use or condominium development. It is designed to operate seamlessly alongside residential life while making the most of scarce urban land. For condominium boards, understanding how this model works (and the opportunities and challenges it can bring) is key to making informed decisions if such a proposal comes to your community.

What is a Podium School and How it Works

A podium school is integrated into the base of a residential or mixed-use tower, usually with its own dedicated street-level entrance and lobby. Students and visitors never pass through the residential lobby, and separate elevator systems ensure that school users cannot access condominium floors. Deliveries, maintenance, and waste management are handled through back-of-house areas designed to avoid interfering with residents’ routines.

Play areas are often created on rooftops or terraces above the school level. These spaces are carefully designed for safety, accessibility, and to minimize disruption for those living above. When the design is well thought out, students enjoy the same experience they would in a traditional school, while residents benefit from having a considerate community partner beneath their homes.

The Growing Interest in Podium Schools

In Toronto’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, finding large parcels of land for a traditional school has become extremely difficult. Even when land is available, it may take years to assemble and develop, often placing schools far from the families who need them.

The podium model allows school boards to align school construction with nearby residential developments, meaning that classrooms can open at the same time as new homes. This approach keeps students within walking distance of school, reduces reliance on busing, and strengthens the idea of a complete, connected community. In many cases, podium schools are located near child care centres, parks, libraries, and recreation facilities, further enhancing their value to local families.

Where the Model is Already in Use Around the World

Podium schools are not unique to Toronto. Cities such as New York, Singapore, and Hong Kong have integrated schools into high-rise developments for decades. In these urban centres, the approach maximizes land use efficiency while creating vibrant, multi-use communities.

In Singapore, several primary schools are located within residential towers, with rooftop playgrounds and enclosed bridges connecting to community amenities. Hong Kong has built multi-storey schools within podium structures beneath residential blocks to meet the needs of its high-density districts. New York City has also adapted the model, incorporating schools into mixed-use projects in Manhattan and Brooklyn, where space is scarce but the demand for family-oriented infrastructure remains high.

How Podium Schools Have Been Used in Toronto So Far

Toronto already has a few podium school examples that show how the model can work locally.

• North Toronto Collegiate Institute was rebuilt in 2010 with two condominium towers above it. The school retained its identity and facilities while sharing the site with residential units.

• Downtown Alternative School operates on the second floor of a mixed-use building at 85 Lower Jarvis Street, providing a small but functional urban school space.

• Sugar Wharf Podium School at 55 Lakeshore Boulevard East is a more recent example and one of the largest. Scheduled to serve 455 students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8, it includes a rooftop playground and access to an adjacent city park. The project received $44 million in provincial funding in 2022 and is a direct response to the population boom along the waterfront.

The TDSB, through its Toronto Lands Corporation, continues to evaluate podium school sites in growth areas such as 770 Don Mills Road and the West Don Lands. This interest signals that the model will likely become a more common feature in the city’s urban landscape.

What This Could Mean for Your Condominium Community

If you live in or near a podium school development, you may notice:

• Increased activity at specific times: Morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups create short bursts of curbside traffic.

• Changes in neighbourhood patterns: More pedestrian activity from families and staff moving to and from the school.

• Shared infrastructure considerations: Depending on the design, service areas and maintenance schedules may need careful coordination between school and residential operations.

Well-designed podium schools incorporate operational plans that address these impacts through dedicated loading zones, acoustic planning, and coordinated service scheduling.

Why Governance and Cost-Sharing Matter

In developments where a school and residential space share parts of the building, clear agreements between the developer, school board, and condo corporation are critical. These agreements should outline:

• Which spaces are shared and who maintains them.

• Cost-sharing formulas for joint expenses.

• Procedures for after-hours use of school facilities.

• Security staffing requirements.

• Booking procedures for shared elevators or service areas.

By understanding these provisions early, condo boards can better manage resident expectations and ensure smooth long-term operations.

For condominium boards, understanding how this model works and the opportunities and challenges it can bring is key to making informed decisions. Our condo property management services can help boards navigate these operational considerations effectively.

Potential Risks and How They’re Addressed

The most common issues with podium schools tend to be operational rather than structural, and most can be addressed through careful planning. Traffic congestion is one of the most frequent challenges. Without clearly defined and enforced procedures for drop-off and pick-up, curbside areas can quickly become unsafe and disruptive for residents and families alike. This can be managed by creating a dedicated loading area, installing clear signage, and assigning staff to supervise vehicle flow during peak times.

Noise is another potential concern, particularly from playgrounds, gyms, and music rooms located close to residential units. The best way to prevent disruption is to integrate acoustic targets into the building’s design specifications from the outset. Resilient flooring, sound insulation, and strategically placed barriers can significantly reduce noise transfer, and performance testing before occupancy ensures these measures are effective.

Life-safety systems also require attention. Fire alarms and evacuation procedures must be designed so that a routine school drill does not trigger a building-wide evacuation unless required by code. Proper zoning of alarm systems, agreed upon by both the school and residential safety teams, will help maintain safety without creating unnecessary interruptions for residents.

Finally, after-hours use of school facilities can lead to misunderstandings or operational strain if expectations are not clearly set. Establishing clear policies around access, permitted uses, and security staffing before the school opens will help ensure that any shared use of facilities remains predictable, safe, and mutually beneficial.

Long-Term Benefits for Neighbourhoods

When carefully planned, podium schools can become a valuable and lasting asset to the community. They make it possible for families to remain in the neighbourhood as their children grow, reducing the need for disruptive moves in search of suitable schools. Students benefit from the independence of being able to walk to class each day, which also fosters a stronger connection to their surroundings. With fewer students relying on buses, local traffic congestion can ease, improving the overall flow of the neighbourhood. The steady presence of students and staff during the day also provides a boost to nearby shops, cafés, and service providers. Over time, these combined effects help create a stable, multi-generational community where educational and residential life work in harmony.

Final Takeaway for Board Members

While condo boards are not involved in negotiating podium school agreements, understanding the model can help you anticipate and manage its impact if one is located in your building or nearby. Staying informed about local developments, reviewing governance agreements where applicable, and preparing operational plans in advance will help ensure that podium schools enhance condominium living rather than disrupt it.