The Student School
Encyclopedia
The Student School is an alternative high school
in the Toronto District School Board
founded in 1979. It has approximately 160 students and generally offers 11th and 12th grade academic courses. It is in the same building as Western Technical-Commercial School
and Ursula Franklin Academy
.
The Student School allows students to vote on significant school policies and actions taken on by the school community. Notably, students and teachers alike receive one vote. Furthermore, students are encouraged to take an active role in community and global politics through various committees and organizations present at school. It is based loosely on principles of participatory democracy
. The school also has a unique absence
system, where students are not penalized for absences until the fifteenth one, at which point they must appeal to a teacher council in order to receive course credit. It is well-known for its support of social justice causes and boycotts—as well as a yearly auction that works as a fundraiser for women living in shelters over the holiday season.
Much like several other alternative schools, teachers are on a first name basis with students.
Alternative school
Alternative school is the name used in some parts of the world to describe an institution which provides part of alternative education. It is an educational establishment with a curriculum and methods that are nontraditional...
in the Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board, also known by the acronym TDSB, is the English-language public school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
founded in 1979. It has approximately 160 students and generally offers 11th and 12th grade academic courses. It is in the same building as Western Technical-Commercial School
Western Technical-Commercial School
Western Technical-Commercial School ' is a high school in the High Park North neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada. It shares the same building with Ursula Franklin Academy and The Student School. Originally two schools when it was opened, Western Technical and Western Commercial, the present school is...
and Ursula Franklin Academy
Ursula Franklin Academy
Ursula Franklin Academy is a high school located in the High Park North neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada. Originally located in the Dufferin-Bloor area at 90 Croatia Street, UFA moved in 2002 to share a building with Western Technical-Commercial School and The Student School. Students can attend...
.
The Student School allows students to vote on significant school policies and actions taken on by the school community. Notably, students and teachers alike receive one vote. Furthermore, students are encouraged to take an active role in community and global politics through various committees and organizations present at school. It is based loosely on principles of participatory democracy
Participatory democracy
Participatory Democracy, also known as Deliberative Democracy, Direct Democracy and Real Democracy , is a process where political decisions are made directly by regular people...
. The school also has a unique absence
Absenteeism
Absenteeism is a habitual pattern of absence from a duty or obligation. Traditionally, absenteeism has been viewed as an indicator of poor individual performance, as well as a breach of an implicit contract between employee and employer; it was seen as a management problem, and framed in economic...
system, where students are not penalized for absences until the fifteenth one, at which point they must appeal to a teacher council in order to receive course credit. It is well-known for its support of social justice causes and boycotts—as well as a yearly auction that works as a fundraiser for women living in shelters over the holiday season.
Much like several other alternative schools, teachers are on a first name basis with students.