[2] The school was named after Cardinal Gerald Emmett Carter, Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Toronto since 1979, a supporter of education and a patron of the arts.

That same year, it was the satellite campus of the newly established Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School.

In 1986, the MSSB reached a deal with Tridel, a Canadian condominium developer, to acquire 0.41 acres (0.17 ha) of St. Edward property owned by the Board.

The school facilities were designed by Makrimichalos Cugini Architects and features a proscenium stage, full orchestra pit, dance, drama, music and art studios, practice and rehearsal rooms.

Before the opening of Cardinal Carter, the building was then temporarily used by St. Bruno Catholic School, located in Downtown Toronto, which was closed due to health problems.

[6] On 4 September 1990, Cardinal Carter opened its doors to 269 pupils in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades with Millie Seguin as its founding principal.

Admission at senior levels is possible if space is available, and only at times of the school year when it is educationally sound to transition students.

Students can also participate in the Canadian Improv Games, the National Theatre School Festival and various short film competitions.

Senior Strings primarily include the students in Grades 11 and 12, with deserving younger musicians integrated into the ensemble.

The Cardinal Carter String Orchestras have earned over 100 first-place finishes in the Kiwanis Music Festival.

In all vocal music courses, students study theory, history, listening, dictation, ear training, sight singing/solfège and prepare for performance of choral repertoire, vocalises, and solos.

Specializations and portfolio preparation for college, university and art based alternatives are provided for all senior students.

SHSM is a specialized program approved by the Ministry of Education that allows students to focus their studies in a specific economic sector while still earning credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

[2] Cardinal Carter has earned a spot among the top 40 schools in the country as chosen by Maclean's and Today's Parent Magazine.