The Toronto Board of Education Plaque installed inside the school in 1961 reads:

The original building on this site was opened in September, 1925. The south wing, containing 18 classrooms, was put into operation during 1926-1927, and 6 classrooms, an auditorium, swimming pool and 2 gymnasia were added in 1930. In the spring of 1961 6 additional classrooms were opened and 2 music rooms, a health centre, and cafeteria were opened in the fall of that year.

Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute closed in 2015, and the First Nations School of Toronto (founded as the Wandering Spirit Survival School in the 1970s) moved in for the 2017-2018 school year. The First Nations School of Toronto reclaimed the name Wandering Spirit School in early 2019. The building is also home to the Aboriginal Education Centre run by the Toronto District School Board, as well as Subway Academy, a small alternative school, and the TDSB archives and museum.

In 2016, Indigenous architecture firm Two Row reviewed the school building and presented options for alterations that would reduce the building's resemblance to a residential school. The project was granted funding from an initiative known as the "Journey Together: Ontario’s Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous People," which falls under the umbrella of Ontario's 2017-2018 Capital Priorities Program. Child care spaces, new instruction space, and a new double gym will be added.

Subway Academy I is now housed in the same building. 

• Architect - C.E. Cyril Dyson  <-- More buildings by this architect.