The school is named after Dr. John G. Althouse, who was the Chief Director of Education for the Province of Ontario from 1944 to 1956.

[citation needed] John G. Althouse has a music program in which every student is required to play an instrument, either in band or strings.

[citation needed] The school organizes the Toronto Summer Music Camp, which takes place at either Albion Hills Outdoor Education Centre or Mono Cliffs Outdoor Education Centre.

[citation needed] The school's Jazz Choir has previously performed in New York, New Orleans, Chicago, The Air Canada Centre (Raptors game) as well as The Rogers Centre (Blue Jays game).

In 2014, The Jazz Choir performed on the flight deck of USS Intrepid in New York City.