Over one hundred years prior to the laying of the cornerstone of Briarcrest School, the land was owned by a farmer named Mark Dawson.  He and his wife Mary and their three children lived on one hundred acres of land in a house valued at $200.00.  The total value of the house and land was $3,700.00.  In 1958, when the land for Briarcrest School was purchased, 5 acres were valued at about $200,000.00.  In September 1958, Briarcrest Junior School opened its doors and the students and staff tramped in through a sea of mud.  The principal was Lloyd Augustus, the first secretary was Joan Huckvale, and the head caretaker was Fred Poole.  On December 11, 1958, the Etobicoke Press announced that a six room addition was necessary because the school population had grown by 151 pupils in three months.  The official opening took place on March 5, 1959.  There have been as many as eight portables perched on the surrounding property and 2 regular classrooms set up in the gym.

Over the years, the school pupils and teachers reflected the trends of the times.  Old school photos show that in the early 60's, most people wore leather shoes - saddle shoes, oxfords etc., and all female staff and students wore dresses or skirts.   In the 70's, the females started showing up in pant suits, mini skirts and running shoes.  The halls have seen the advent and decline of bell-bottoms, go-go boots, crocheted vests, headbands, bouffant and pixie cuts.  Hair styles have gone from crew-cuts to Beatle cuts to shoulder length and back again.  Male teachers once came daily in suits and ties.  Education no longer requires such formal dress. 

With the decline of the school population, Briarcrest welcomed a special group of children to fill unused classroom space.   The Metropolitan Toronto Association for the Mentally Retarded used the wing by the parking lot for its' Preschool Nursery for children who were mentally and physically handicapped.  The school population continued to decline, even with the new housing development west of Renforth Drive.   Although the school housed almost 900 students at one time it gradually became necessary to close down classrooms and eventually the entire school.  In June 1984, Briarcrest closed its doors for eight years until it became viable to open the school again in September of 1992.

During the eight years it was closed, Briarcrest was leased to the Peel Separate Board to house some of their students while their own schools were being re-built.  In 1992, the Etobicoke Board of Education opened the doors of Briarcrest to the children of the  growing neighbourhood.

Today, Briarcrest is home to 270 students and 33 staff members.   The school houses the Briarcrest Childcare Centre, and several Special Education classes such as Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Developmentally Delayed, and Behaviour.   There is also an Extended French Program starting at the grade four level.  The students in this program study half of their day in English and half in French.  There are many opportunities for all students in the school to participate in sports, chess, dance and music as well as their day-to-day studies.  Briarcrest students continue to"Live and Learn Together".