(Last updated - January 20, 2025)

Did you know that the TDSB has a wide range of Elementary Alternative Schools available to students?

Elementary Alternative Schools host open houses to learn more about their educational philosophies and distinct pedagogies. You can visit the Elementary School Open Houses and Information Nights web page for dates and times. If a school you’re interested is not hosting an open house, we encourage you to can contact the school directly for information.

Some of our sources: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/alternativeschools/ ****https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/Open-Houses-and-Information-Nights https://www.tdsb.on.ca/alternativeschools/ElementarySchools/Application-and-Admissions-Process

HOW TO APPLY

Students applying for Elementary Alternative Schools Admissions in JK should also register at their local/designated school by primary home address in case they are not selected at their requested Elementary Alternative School. If selected, the parent/guardian/caregiver must notify their local school.

Applicants can apply up to two (2) schools: a PRIMARY school choice and an ALTERNATE school choice. The Alternate choice is optional. A complete list of Elementary Alternative Schools is available on the TDSB’s Elementary Alternative Schools webpage.

| **KEY DATES

Monday, January 6, 2025 -** Online applications portal opens.

Friday, January 31, 2025 - Online applications close at 4:00 pm.

Friday, February 21, 2025 - Placement Offers, Round 1 will be sent out.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - Offers must be accepted or declined by 4:00 p.m. If you do not accept or decline the offer of placement on or before the February 26, 2025 deadline, the offer will be automatically declined. The child will then attend their home school by home address.

Thursday, February 27, 2025 - Placement Offers, Round 2 will be sent out. The Waitlist will then be closed.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 - Offers must be accepted or declined by 4:00 pm. If you do not accept or decline the offer of placement on or before the March 4, 2025 deadline, the offer will be automatically declined. The child will attend their designated school by home address. |

THE SCHOOLS

”**”The Africentric Alternative School began operating in September 2009 in response to an initial community request for such a school in June 2007 to address a high dropout rate and achievement gap affecting students of African descent. TDSB initiated a consultation process with stakeholders. In January 2008, a report titled Improving Success For Black Students was presented to the Board of Trustees with a number of recommendations. Ultimately, the Board approved a recommendation to establish the Africentric Alternative School to open in September 2009 at Sheppard Public School. Since this time, the school has expanded to grade 8 as of September 2015 serves 120 students.”

****Sources: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/3949 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/africentric-school-anniversary-1.5005262 **** | Open House: April 24, 2025 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

📍1430 Sheppard Ave W, North York, ON, M3M 2W9 📞 (416) 395-5251

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nnzuU35duLzko4U67

Please contact the school at 416-395-5251 for registration information.

| | Avondale Elementary Alternative School (GR. JK-08)

”For almost 40 years Avondale EA has offered an alternative vision of education in the public system to students throughout Toronto. At Avondale EA, students learn in an academic setting where close working relationships with staff and students are valued and celebrated. Our vision is to create a safe and nurturing learning and teaching environment that supports optimal development and excellence across all domains.“

Sources: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/3017 https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/avondale | 📍171 Avondale Ave, Toronto, ON M2N 2V4 📞 +1-416-395-3130

https://maps.app.goo.gl/59Ay1TazChkX2dwA8 | | **Beaches Alternative Junior School (GR. JK-06)**

”The philosophy "It takes a village to raise a child" is lived in our school community and the network of BAS families is the village in which all our children grow, learn and thrive.”

Sources: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5315 ****Beaches Alternative School website | 📍50 Swanwick Ave, Toronto, ON, M4E 2Z5 📞 (416) 393-1451

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eRNcdEo4DnvHfEzY9 | | da Vinci School (GR. JK-06)

“Our goal is to meld best practices from the Waldorf tradition with effective learning and teaching practices from the Ontario Ministry of Education and Toronto District School Board expectations. Our program is based on three pillars for learning: Oral Narrative, Outdoor Learning and Arts-infused learning.” | 📍33 Robert St, Toronto, ON, M5S 2K2 📞(416) 393-8204

https://maps.app.goo.gl/W4exRZDgB7s911Re6

https://www.facebook.com/davincischoolToronto/ | | ALPHA Alternative Junior School (GR. JK-06) ”ALPHA was founded in 1972 as part of the free school movement. Students have considerable freedom to choose what, how and when they learn. We give individual feedback instead of grades or tests.

Social-emotional learning, self-directed learning, democratic decision-making and social justice are foundations of our program. We have practised equity admissions since 2007.

Parents are welcome to volunteer throughout the school. It's a messy and joyful place - ALPHA kids love to come to school!”

Sources: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5358 **ALPHA Alternative Public School website** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALPHA_Alternative_School **** | 📍20 Brant St, Toronto, ON, M5V 2M1

📞 (416) 393-1880

https://www.instagram.com/alphajuniorschool/

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ew9feMidHv988sJn8 | | **The Grove Community School (GR. JK-06)**

”The Grove Community School is Toronto’s first public elementary school focused on environmental education, community activism and social justice.”

Sources: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5904 http://thegrovecommunityschool.ca/ ****The Grove Community School Handbook | Open House: Monday, January 20, 2025, 6 pm to 8:00 pm, 108 Gladstone Avenue Virtual Open House Link

📍108 Gladstone Ave, Toronto, ON, M6J 3L2 📞 (416) 393-9150

https://maps.app.goo.gl/G19gPPdKVhda3eRp8

| | **Equinox Holistic Alternative School (GR. JK-08)**

”Equinox Holistic Alternative School was founded in 2009 with the mission to "nurture, inspire, and educate the Whole Child." It is located outdoors, as well as on the 1st and 3rd floors of Roden P.S., and is home to Canada's first outdoor kindergarten program.”

****Sources: ****https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5903 ****Equinox Holistic Alternative School website | 📍151 Hiawatha Rd, Toronto, ON, M4L 2Y1 📞(416) 393-8274

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9aTEtMrVQ5iJZKRL6 | | **Hawthorne II Bilingual Alternative Junior School (GR. JK-06)**

”Hawthorne II Bilingual Alternative School opened in 1977 with the aim of exploring social justice principles and French language learning in a public school setting. Today, we share a home with Essex Public School near Christie Pits Park.”

****Sources: ****https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5362 | 📍50 Essex St, Toronto, ON M6G 1T3 📞+1-416-393-0727

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GaK9ZRPsYswuFjc16 | | **High Park Alternative Junior School (GR. JK-08)**

”We are an INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY of staff, caregivers and students who collaborate to promote VALUES BASED EDUCATION, STUDENT CENTERED LEARNING and ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.”

****Sources: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5340 High Park Alternative Junior School website | 📍10 Jennings Ave, Toronto, ON M6P 1M6 📞 +1-416-393-9050

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7hgdPvNZPABsRpUs9 | | **Mountview Alternative School (GR. JK-08)**

”Mountview Alternative is a K-8 school who shares space with Runnymede Collegiate Institute and Humbercrest Nursery School. The school has approximately 100 students.

Mountview is a community of five classrooms. The small community fosters deep, meaningful relationships.”

****https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/5342 Mountview Alternative School website | 📍569 Jane St, York, ON M6S 4A3 📞 +1-416-393-9037

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HadVPPBNdnxVwt4A6 | | **Scarborough Village Alternative Public School**

”At Scarborough Village, we truly embrace the philosophy "it takes a village to raise a child". SVAPS is a school where each person is accepted and valued for who they are and are inspired to learn the best way they can.”

****https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/schno/4732 ****Scarborough Village Public School website | 📍15 Luella St, Toronto, ON M1J 3P2 📞 +1-416-396-6560

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wimgx21AwufUq5Pr6 |

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