Contact School is a full-time academic alternative secondary school. We serve youth who have left high school and now want to return or students who are attending another secondary school but feel they could benefit from a different kind of program. We feature an emphasis on social justice and community. Class size ranges from 20 - 30 students and we have a free lunch program where students help prepare lunch and clean up. The 4 intake periods in the year offer a mix of full and half credits. Daily attendance is required. We have an excellent, flexible co-op program to help you achieve credits.
We have a well structured day program. The highly popular Co-op program is available on a first come-first served basis for credits during and after school. All students help to prepare lunch on a rotating basis. Our emphasis, wherever possible, is on a non-hierarchical structure, shared decision making and shared respect by students and staff in an atmosphere of open communication. Student participation is encouraged through a weekly general meeting Call the school and speak with a guidance counselor about your eligibility to attend Contact School.
Our Mission
At Contact we work hard to provide a safe place for learning which is both welcoming and inclusive. We believe strongly that every person has something to offer if they are shown patience and respect. The fundamental value of our school is social justice: living and learning in a community of mutual respect.
More Information about Contact Alternative School
History and Purpose
Contact School was founded in 1973 to give a "second chance" to students who have - for whatever reason - felt disengaged from going to school. We exist to offer students a chance to "reconnect" with a school community and thereby, to achieve success. We currently have capacity for 195 students with 15 teaching staff.
Courses and Credits
We offer a full range of courses from grades 9-12 with an emphasis on college level courses at the senior level. We have a varied range of courses in the arts and the humanities within the restriction of our small staff. Courses other than the Grade 12 U courses are offered in half credits, allowing students to have more immediate experiences of success.
Monitoring Success
At Contact we follow up closely on student commitment to success. We assess attendance, work and behaviour on an ongoing basis and have instituted a variety of contracts and incentives to encourage improvement. We produce formal reports four times a year. Credit rescue and credit recovery are valuable tools that we use for helping students reclaim credits.
Support
There are many supports for struggling students. Often the challenges lie beyond the school; thus we have strong supports in our caring teachers, social workers, guidance counselors and our youth counselor. Our experience is that students will often find success when they have help sorting out their immediate and basic needs.
Additional Features
● Close to St. Patrick Subway Station
● Jane Fund Scholarship and Awards
● Quadmesters and half credits
● Backpack Program
● Community Police Liaison Bursary
● Attendance awards and initiatives
Student Life - Where You Belong
We provide a caring, supportive environment and help students re-engage and find success. Students are expected to take responsibility for their education and to join together to build a community that encourages respect, growth and academic success. All students participate in our weekly meeting and, on a rotating basis, in the nutrition program which provides a healthy lunch daily. Students can take leadership roles in many ways. They can help plan trips, special programs and workshops, events and after school activities. For a number of years, students have participated in the Sears Drama Festival. We welcome ideas and suggestions for increasing the spirit of the school. Contact is most vibrant when students are engaged in school life as well as achieving credits towards graduation.
What Sets Us Apart
At Contact we strongly believe that every person is a valued member of our school community. We each have different talents; we each have a different story to tell; we may each have a different view of the world; but none of these makes us better than another. It is our right to be respected for who we are. If we expect this from others, then it is obviously our responsibility to give them the same respect. This is what Contact is all about: living and learning in a community of mutual respect. It is not always easy, but we believe that it is the most important thing that people can achieve. We strongly believe in the other face of respect which is justice. There is a saying, "No justice; No Peace." It is true. Wherever there is unfairness and disrespect there could be anger, resentment and violence. As we must all respect each other, so we must all join in the struggle for justice. At Contact we have found, over many years, that struggling together for justice is a powerful way to learn respect for others and to gain it for ourselves.
Parent and Community Engagement
We have a special relationship with our neighbour, The Art Gallery of Ontario. Students benefit from this close relationship by frequent access to the galleries and many special exhibits. Contact is fortunate to have the use of the gym at University Settlement Recreation Centre, just around the corner from the school. We often have speakers from the community who share their experiences on our Social Justice Days, in classes and small forums. We often have student nurses doing their placements at Contact School. They bring new initiatives for healthy living to our students.
