Avondale Secondary Alternative SchoolADDRESS: 24 Silverview Drive, North York, ON

M2M 2B3PHONE NUMBER: (416) 395-4542EMAIL ADDRESS: AvondaleSecondaryAlternativeSchool@tdsb.on.caWEBSITE: http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/avondalesaGRADE RANGE: 9 to 12

InterestingFeaturesWe offer an excitingrange ofnon-semesteredacademic classes; weoffer personal,collaborative workingrelationships betweenstaff and students whoare all on a first namebasis; we offermulti-media coursestaught by workingprofessional artists; weoffer physical educationprogram at the BayviewYMCA (includingsquash, fitness training,basketball, volleyball,and indoor soccer);and, we offer a strongorientation towardssocial justice andactivism.

Educare Momentum (Each moment drips with possibility)

Grades: 9-12, Non-Semestered Approx. Enrolment: 55 Foralmost 40 years Avondale has offered an alternative vision ofsecondary education in the public system to students throughoutToronto.  Located in a tree-lined, established community, just aten-minute walk from the Finch Subway Station and a five-minutewalk from local bus routes, Avondale is a small, safe, family-likeschool with an intimate and personal feel.  At Avondale, studentslearn in a small, rigorous academic setting where close workingrelationships with staff and students are valued and celebrated.  Our vision is to create a safe and nurturing learning and teachingenvironment that supports optimal development and excellenceacross all domains. 

So what's alternative aboutAvondale Secondary?We offer a variety of non-semesteredacademic courses, designed toprepare secondary students forpost-secondary education.  Studentsalso meet regularly with theirteachers to extend and deepenclassroom experiences. We engage in community-widedecision-making through student governance initiatives, such as'town hall' meetings and an enthusiastic and creative studentcouncil. Avondale is what we all believed school could be.

More Information about Avondale Secondary Alternative School

Town HallLike Margaret Meade, we never doubt what can be accomplished bya small group of committed people.  The whole school is invited tomeet on a regular basis, to participate in democratic discussionsthat affect our school, our communities and our lives.  Learnto practice and hone your democratic and leadership skills!

Outstanding Arts and Phys. Ed. ProgramsOur arts programs are taught by professional artists and ourPhysical Education classes utilize the Bayview YMCA. Takeadvantage or the extensive facilities offered including squash,swimming, basketball and volleyball

Co-Operative EducationAvondale offers 2 and 4 credit Co-operative Education Credits.  It isan ideal way to learn about different workplace opportunities anddevelop workplace skills. We encourage students to discover who they are, exploreopportunities, pursue their passions and design personal pathwaysto success.

Supports at AvondaleThere is a full time Child and Youth Worker at Avondale.  Studentshave access to a Social Worker and Public Health - Mental HealthNurse. 

Additional Features● Engaging Field Trips● Social Worker Available

● Town Hall Meetings● Nutrition Program Available

For a list of all programs that are also offered visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Findyour/Schools.aspx?schno=3409&schoolId=409

Student Life - Where You Belong

You cannot be anonymous at Avondale SecondaryAlternative School. We are a safe, respectful and nurturingschool: we are a family. We celebrate differences andencourage authentic dialogue.  We believe that an effectiveschool is a place where people work effectively together. Insuch an empowering environment, a community of learnersis fostered.   Our inclusive curriculum reflects a sense ofwhat schooling can be: less isolating, anxiety-ridden, anddull; more welcoming, engaging and inclusive with respectfor all the embodied humanity of the actual people involved. We extend our classrooms out into the world, and invite theworld into our classrooms.  This explicit recognition of ourglobal community leads us to be dedicated and committedto making the world a better place.  Come and join us in thisendeavour.

What Sets Us Apart

Our goal is for the whole school to become a community oflearners. The following strategies support this role:assimilation of new knowledge into existing cognitivestructures; using students’ prior knowledge and experienceto guide, focus and create lessons; recognizing that allstudents assimilate and accommodate differently;encouraging students to elaborate on questions andanswers; searching for many and various solutions toquestions and problems; multiple modes of instruction,assessment and evaluation; practising self and peerevaluation; requesting reasons and evidence; employingopen-ended questions; fostering an environment whereanswers can be challenged and expanded; fostering studentinitiation of ideas; promoting students as teachers as well aslearners; facilitating use of all environmental factors assources of information (not just the teacher); encouragingstudents to test hypotheses; providing adequate time foreach student; and, assisting students in making theconnections between existing and newly acquiredknowledge .

Parent and Community Engagement

Avondale traditionally works with a variety of local and city-widecommunity partners. We have been a thriving part of the growingWillowdale community for thirty years, and we welcome new familiesand businesses to the area: let's get together!  Avondale's academicprograms extend into the community, for e.g. full use of YMCAfacilities for physical education.  Parents and community membersare always welcome at Avondale Schools! We invite the communityto share their wealth of experience and skills, both as a supplementto our programming and to help build the Avondale 'vibe'.

Imagine a TDSB where all schools share a common core set of characteristics. They arecommunity-driven and focused on teaching and learning. Students and parents have a wide variety ofopportunities and there are enough students in every school to increase program choices. Imagine there is a clear focus on achieving student success and every student is engaged, has a voice,access to a caring adult and the opportunity to develop their full potential. Here at the TDSB our focus is on student achievement, parent and community engagement and financialstability.

Contact Information

SCHOOL NAME: Avondale Secondary Alternative SchoolADDRESS: 24 Silverview Drive, North York, ON

M2M 2B3TELEPHONE: (416) 395-4542EMAIL: AvondaleSecondaryAlternativeSchool@tds

b.on.ca