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ALPHA Alternative
School
Phone: 416-393-1880
E-mail:
alphatdsb@yahoo.com
Address: 20 Brant St., Toronto, ON M5V 2M1
Contact: Ryan Slashinsky
Website:
schools.tdsb.on.ca/alpha
Year Founded: 1971
Ages Served: 5-18
Funding: Public
Description:
ALPHA (A Lot of People Hoping for an
Alternative) is the oldest and most radical
elementary alternative school in Toronto.
Created in 1971, it continues to operate with a
mandate of providing a publicly accessible
alternative learning environment to families
from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of
Toronto. This includes a commitment to
democratic, consensus-based processes in
conflict resolution and decision-making; an
integrated and holistic environment (reducing
barriers of age, academic development, and
subject domain); and collaborative, non-coercive
learning (no grades, competitive testing, or
standardized curricula).
Although the core principles and values of
self-directed, cooperative, democratic,
community-driven, arts-infused, and social
justice oriented education have remained
constant, the school community has evolved
through several permutations and is constantly
changing to meet the needs of its members. Its
origins are rooted in the free school movement,
and highly influenced by Summerhill. It is
truly a “community” school, as it is a
collective endeavour between students, parents,
and staff.
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