List of locations in the Degrassi franchise


This is a list of places seen and featured in the Degrassi teen drama franchise. All five series of the franchise are set in Toronto, with both real and fictional places in the city depicted.

''[Degrassi Junior High]'' and ''[Degrassi High]''

  • Degrassi Junior High School – The middle school the cast attends, which burns down at the end of the third season. The building used for the school was Vincent Massey Junior School in Etobicoke.
  • Degrassi High School – The high school the cast attends for the final two seasons of the series.
  • Borden High School – The high school that the ninth grade students attend part-time for science in the third season. Some of the upperclassmen are shown to be hostile towards the Degrassi students, although this seems to cease after one of the Borden students utters a racial slur towards Bryant "B.L.T." Lester Thomas -- a black Degrassi student, resulting in an altercation. One notable student is Clutch, who is briefly Lucy's boyfriend and later transferred to Degrassi High School. Paul, Clutch's friend who briefly dated Lucy, also attended the school.
  • Lucy's house – The location of many parties throughout the series. It was here where Spike and Shane had sex, resulting in Spike becoming pregnant with Emma.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart – The drugstore where Arthur and Stephanie Kaye's mother works. Also where Spike purchased a home pregnancy test with the aid of friends Erica and Heather; Wheels and Joey visited to purchase condoms, and Erica also later visited to purchase a home pregnancy test. Joey is seen working at the location in School's Out.

    ''School's Out">School's Out (1992 film)">School's Out''

  • Bronco's cottage – The location where much of School's Out takes place.
  • Schulyer High – The high school the students transferred to after Degrassi got shut down in the final episode. This school is only mentioned by name and never seen.

    ''[Degrassi: The Next Generation]''

  • Above the Dot – An all-ages substance-free music venue above The Dot Grill that Peter opened in season 9.
  • Banting University – The university that Paige attends before dropping out. Liberty and Damien plan on attending Banting. Located near Kingston, Ontario.
  • Bardell High School – A high school in the Toronto area that competed with Degrassi students in various episodes at sports events. One notable student is Dean, known for a major plot point in which he rapes Paige Michalchuk.
  • The Break Room – A pool hall introduced in the seventh season.
  • CQJH – A TV studio where Caitlin works in seasons 3 and 4.
  • Degrassi Community School – The central school.
  • The Dot, formerly The Dot Grill – A café that is a hangout spot for many Degrassi students. The establishment serves food, drinks, and snacks. It suffers a severe fire at the end of season 9, but is renovated before season 10. Spinner is the manager; past employees include Paige, and Holly J., and Peter.
  • Lakehurst High School – A high school that burned down during semester break between seasons 6 and 7, resulting in its students being transferred to Degrassi.
  • Little Miss Steaks – Introduced in season 10, is a country and western themed restaurant. Holly J. was a waitress there. Marisol is a waitress there in season 11, and KC is a busboy.
  • The ravine – A place to smoke, drink beer, and "hook up."
  • Smithdale University – The university Manny, Emma, and Liberty attend. Degrassi Goes Hollywood takes place in part at Smithdale.
  • University of Toronto – An actual university, it is the university Ellie and Johnny attends. Some outside scenes are shot at the University of Toronto.
  • TVM – A parody of MTV, is a music channel with headquarters in New York City. First seen in Degrassi Takes Manhattan, its studios were filmed at the MuchMusic studios at 299 Queen Street West, Toronto.
  • Vanderbilt Prep – A New York private school where Bobby Breckinridge, Declan Coyne, and for a short time, Fiona Coyne, attend twelfth grade in season 10
  • Zanzibar – A strip club where Alex works in "Don't You Want Me?". Unlike most of the locations mentioned in the Degrassi series, Zanzibar Tavern is a real strip club located on Yonge Street in Toronto.

    ''[Degrassi: Next Class]''

  • Lola's Cantina – A restaurant run by Lola's family.
  • Northern Tech – The Degrassi volleyball team's rivals who accuse the team of being racist. This is a real school in Toronto.
  • The Dot – A café that is a hangout spot for many Degrassi students; the establishment serves food, drinks, and snacks.

    Degrassi Community School

Degrassi Community School is a fictional high school in Degrassi: The Next Generation and the titular academy primarily associated with it. It consists of students from grade 7 through grade 12 and its student body is made up of students from many cultures and backgrounds, paralleling and reflecting the multiculturalism associated with Toronto. The school originally was a junior high, housing grades 7–8. In season two, the school took on high school students after the neighbouring high school shut down and housed grades 7–12 for four years before dropping grades 7–8 and becoming a high school. However, this is not a real school; the set is a warehouse sized studio made to look like one at Epitome's studios. After season 4, there have been no characters on the show, minor or major, in grades 7 or 8. In season 10 a school uniform is instituted and the shirts are colour-coded by grade. This is dropped in season 12.

History

Founded in 1986 as Degrassi Junior High School, the facility is believed to be the same facility used in Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High. In 1989, it combined with a high school, and became Degrassi High. The school was remodelled and renamed to "Degrassi Community School" for the school year starting in September 2001, and played host to the 1991 Ten Year High School Reunion shortly thereafter.
In 2001, the school held its first nighttime dance entitled "Starlight, Starbright."
At the start of season 7, Degrassi Community School merged with rival school, Lakehurst High School, causing much friction between both schools, much of which had to do with the recent stabbing and death of Degrassi student J.T. Yorke. The rivalry resulted in many fights and animosity between the students.

Academics

Media Immersion Program
One of the most distinctive programs featured in the Degrassi Community School, is its Media Immersion program. The program features high speed computers with internet access 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".
The computer lab uses a network, notably using a system called "D-Mail," where students may instant message each other, and 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 a vote of parents of the Degrassi students.

Faculty

  • Principal Daniel Raditch, Principal and literature teacher in the Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High series
  • Principal Daphne Hatzilakos, Principal, science teacher and gym/school coach
  • Principal Sheppard, Principal and football coach
  • Principal Archie Simpson, Current Principal, and former media immersion teacher
  • Principal Deidre Pill, Acting Principal
  • Mr. Armstrong, Gym/school coach and math teacher
  • Ms. Badger, Science teacher
  • Mrs. Bollinger, media immersion assistant
  • Ms. Dawes, Art, drama, English teacher
  • Mr. Ellis, Chemistry and science teacher
  • Mrs. Lin, Mandarin teacher
  • Ms. Grell, Digital Arts, career studies, and rubber room teacher
  • Mr. Mitchell, Current English and Economics teacher
  • Mrs. Kwan, English and drama teacher
  • Ms. Oh, Media immersion teacher
  • Mr. Dom Perino, History teacher
  • Ms. Chantel Sauve, School guidance counselor
  • Sheila, lunch lady
  • Mrs. Smith, Secretary
  • Mr. Odie, History teacher
  • Mrs. Jasmia Toomer, web mastering

    Layout

Completely renovated and changed by 2001, the Degrassi Community School features a non-traditional design scheme using new materials. Named a Community School, Degrassi does not follow the typical public school layout but is closer to being identified as an alternative school. By 2002, the school had again been completely changed and reinvented as it merged 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 inspirational quotes displayed. The main foyer is host to Degrassi's own motto, written larger and more distinctively than the other quotes.
After J.T. is murdered in season six, a memorial garden at the school is built in his name.
The school was again renovated sometime during the summer of 2015. The school interior received a new paint job while the lockers were painted to feature a more retro look. All wooden classroom doors were also replaced with new grey doors. Several classrooms are also now equipped with smart-boards and HD television sets for a more digital learning environment. New desks were also included in the redesign. Additional areas in the school include a student lounge room, several sitting areas with cushioned chairs laid around the school, and a renovated classroom for a new course titled Digital Arts.
The actual set for where the school scenes are shot in is a warehouse sized studio at Epitome Pictures. Outfitted to look like an actual school, the set features perhaps the most intricate and detailed designs, including numerous fliers, bulletins, and posters pertaining to the fictional Degrassi Community School. The studio is also used for filming other sets, such as characters' bedrooms, in the series.