In Toronto, there are a number of alternative high schools Toronto for teens. Some of these schools are SEED, Oasis, and Horizon Alternative Senior School.
ALPHA Alternative School
Alpha Alternative high Schools Toronto is the city’s oldest and most established alternative school. Founded in 1972, ALPHA is a parent-teacher cooperative that teaches children from JK to Grade 12. This isn’t the only type of school it offers. In addition to the core curriculum, students have the opportunity to enroll in vocational training courses.
The Alpha Alternative School has a strong commitment to a more holistic education. A student-driven, democratically-run school, it emphasizes going outside, as well as learning from each other and from nature.
The school is located in the former Brant Street Public School building. It shares the space with OASIS Secondary Alternative School. Students have access to the space to create projects that reflect their interests.
The most notable feature of the school is its emphasis on group work. Students are encouraged to work with each other, and are rewarded for collaborative efforts. As a result, the school has a healthy enrollment of about 80 students.
Inglenook Community High School
Inglenook Community High School is an alternative high school in Toronto, Ontario. It is located in a historical building in the Corktown neighborhood. This small high school has an average enrollment of 100 students. The school is very community-oriented.
Inglenook’s outreach program integrates volunteer work into the academic curriculum. Students complete three hours of service each week. These projects are usually tied in to a specific course. A final grade is given based on the project.
The school also has a gallery space called the Inglenook Gallery. The space contains furniture and books. Inglenook alumni are invited to exhibit their works.
Another feature of the Inglenook high school is the open access kitchen. Two students are chosen for duty each day. After classes, they clean the kitchen.
Inglenook is a democratic school, meaning students and teachers are involved in the decision-making process. For example, the disciplinary committee is comprised of two students and two teachers. They do not issue detentions or letters home.
Horizon Alternative Senior School
The Horizon Alternative Senior School in Toronto is the brainchild of four public school teachers. They were inspired by a plethora of studies and experiments demonstrating that students with access to innovative technologies are more productive. Their mission is to make learning fun and rewarding for all involved. You can find them at 570 Shaw Street, Toronto, ON.
Fortunately for students, parents and parents-to-be, the school is in walking distance from several of the city’s best shopping and dining destinations. If you are in the market for a quality education for your kids, this is a school worth checking out. For starters, you’ll have access to the TDSB’s stellar facilities and an experienced and dedicated staff. On top of that, parents are encouraged to speak up and participate in the decision-making process.
Oasis Alternative School
The Oasis Alternative School in Toronto, Ontario offers an engaging and well-rounded education. This particular school has a decent enrollment of around 100 students between the ages of 9 and 12. In addition to offering a comprehensive curriculum, the alternative school offers a host of other activities such as music, dance and the odd sport. The Oasis also has its own skateboard factory, where students can take credit for designing, building and skateboarding their own boards.
The Oasis owes a debt of gratitude to the community for its support. This is reflected in the high percentage of matriculants who stay on track and graduate. The staff at Oasis are committed to the student’s success. Whether it be academics, extracurriculars, or athletics, the school is committed to helping students find their footing.
SEED
The Shared Experience Exploration and Discovery (SEED) alternative high school in Toronto is an institution that has been around for almost five decades. It is one of the first alternatives to mainstream high schools in the world.
Originally founded in 1968 as the Summer of Experience Exploration and Discovery, the program was developed as an alternative to the traditional school setting. SEED’s philosophy was to emphasize active learning, community involvement and to foster sharing power among students, educators and parents.
A number of groups were formed that met at various locations throughout the city. These included writers, filmmakers, artists and scientists. Several teachers were catalysts for the program.
Students also tutored other students. Many teachers in the program were not accustomed to teaching in an alternative fashion. Some teachers adjusted well, while others did not
