East Alternative School of Toronto (Gr 07 - 08)
21 Boultbee Ave, Toronto, ON
M4J1A7
M4J1A7
416-393-8442
416-393-8627
East Alternative School of Toronto (E.A.S.T.) is an alternative school located near Jones and Gerrard Avenues. The school started its first year of operation in 1996-97. E.A.S.T. specializes in integrating arts throughout the curriculum, promotes the ideas of social justice, equity and compassion, supports an enriched curriculum and promotes critical thinking, provides learning opportunities for 34 students in grade 7 and 34 students in grade 8 with a staff of 3 dedicated teachers, and is based on parent involvement and commitment.
Mission Statement
At EAST, we strive to create an educational environment that fosters personal growth and development, academic excellence, artistic creativity, and independence. Our goal is to nurture critical thinking skills as well as a sense of justice and citizenship in students regarding their communities, both local and global. Parents/guardians, students and school staff work together to achieve these goals.
More Information about EAST
Our mission statement is made possible through the following Guiding Principles, explained in further detail in the following sections: Kids First Policy, Enriched Curriculum, Independent Learning, Social Justice, Integrated Arts-Based Curriculum and Parent Involvement.
Kids First Policy
At EAST, the emotional, educational, physical health and well-being of the students is our main priority, responsibility and focus. This guiding principal is the cornerstone of our school decision-making at all times. Each student is valued for his/her own unique abilities, strengths and weaknesses.
Enriched Curriculum
At EAST, we have high expectations of students and believe that adolescents are regularly underestimated by society as a whole. We offer a demanding curriculum that incorporates depth and breadth in learning beyond the Ontario Ministry guidelines and is implemented through traditional and alternative teaching as well as assessment methodologies.
Social Justice, Citizenship and Sustainability
At EAST, we nurture a sense of local and global citizenship by exploring issues of social justice including race, gender, class, sexual orientation and globalization. A strong commitment to equity, diversity and critical thinking propels all aspects of curriculum design and planning.
Integrated Arts-Based Curriculum
Based on the premise that all students are creative and learn through an exploration of their creativity, students engage in variety of art activities utilizing drama, music and visual arts. The arts, rather than being isolated, are integrated throughout a variety of subject areas and are utilized to explore diverse concepts and issues.
