High Park Alternative Junior School (Gr JK - 08)
M6P1R3
What's Special about High Park Alternative School?
MISSION STATEMENT
HPAS nurtures an inclusive and dynamic community of learning and care through partnerships between staff and families that extend both locally and globally. Collaborative decision making and cooperative learning in a safe, respectful, and joyful environment empowers our children to appreciate their own and others’ educational and emotional achievements, challenges and potential. A curriculum which crosses age groups and disciplines encourages each child to cultivate intellectual curiosity, an ethic of care, critical thinking and a love of learning.
SMALL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Engagement and inclusion are encouraged by maintaining a small school environment where students, staff, and parents participate in learning that extends from school to home to communities local and global. Collaborative decision-making and consensus building respects the value of each individual and supports the individual developmental paths of all students.
MULTI-AGE GROUPINGS
Integrated holistic learning is realized through an interdisciplinary approach in the context of mixed and multi-age groupings. Providing opportunities for children of different ages to meet, work, and talk with each other, allows them more chances to find relationships and friendships that complement, supplement, and match their own needs and styles.
NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND EVALUATION
Children of all levels play and work cooperatively. Sports and recreational activities emphasize teamwork and personal best. A focus on non-competition encourages each child to develop self-respect, and to be a self-motivated, self-initiated learner who is able to take risks without fear, think independently and participate in decision making by consensus.
COMMUNITY-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING
A tradition of learning about and donating to community-based organizations offers children opportunities to develop and demonstrate collective responsibility. Environmental responsibility is nurtured through stewardship of High Park, tending the bird sanctuary and Harmony Garden, as well as through the activities of the environmental club and the Green School initiative.
