THE STUDENT SCHOOL's Mission Statement
Grades: 11-12
Approx. Enrolment: 160
Small semestered alternative school located in the High Park area. The Student School offers predominantly academic courses for students in grades 11 and 12. Classes are held daily with a timetable that students help to create. The Student School is for students whose needs are not met in mainstream secondary schools.
The great majority of our graduates continue their education in university or college. Some of our graduates have said that if not for THESTUDENTSCHOOL they would never have received their high school diploma and reached post-secondary education.
You Speak - We Listen
We listen to what our students want and have subsequently expanded course content to encompass broader areas of interest. Social justice issues play an important role in most of our courses, including Gay & Lesbian Studies, Women's Studies, Afro-American History, Environmental Studies, and Food & Nutrition.
“A positive, friendly environment where one can apply experiences and real opinions to class discussions. Where creativity and thinking outside of the box is encouraged rather then hindered. There is more than one correct answer at TSS.”
Kali Carter, Student
We also offer Politics & Protest, Philosophy through Film, Utopian Societies, Do It Yourself (DIY), Science & Society, Earth & Space Science, Money, Materialism & Madness [an economics credit], and a whole host of other courses. Our school's size means we can offer 21 courses per semester, so we cannot offer all the mentioned courses each semester. Check our website or call and ask about next semester's course offerings.
More Information About THE STUDENT SCHOOL
The Art Program
The Art Program offers focus courses in Drawing, Painting, Crafts, Printmaking and Sculpture, in addition to Visual Art. Art students exercise lateral thinking while building diverse portfolios of varied media. Each year, the art program culminates in a public showing of student work at a downtown gallery.
Visit our art blog at http://tssart.org
School Life - Students make things happen
TSS was the first high school to join the boycott of Coke products in 2004. A student learnt of coke's practises in Columbia, and within the year, TSS held a conference to educate the community on the subject.
There's something for everyone at TSS. Join one of our many student groups, from greening committee to the co-ed volleyball team. Or, initiate one of your own.
Educate, Agitate and Organise
TSS students were active in the campaign to have a proper elementary school built in Attawapiskat, a first nations community in northern Ontario. In 2008 & 2009, TSS students prepared a 30 minute presentation and brought the letter writing campaign Students Helping Students to neighbourhood grade seven classes, local high schools and other alternative schools. Over the two years of the campaign, TSS students presented in classes at over 35 schools.
Good News, our efforts contributed to a successful campaign! In December of 2009, the Government of Canada finally committed to building a proper school in Attawapiskat.
A Warm and Friendly Place
Who says we're good at listening? Our students do!
According to the TDSB census of 2006, 98% of our students said we offer courses they wanted, 93% said our school is a friendly and welcoming place and 86% reported feeling supported and encouraged by their teachers.* Each student has a staff mentor whom they can approach at any time. Our doors are always open.
*[TDSB averages: 81%; 60%; 60%]
Work with your personal staff advisor, to help you with course selection, planning your future and personal issues.
Enrolling at THESTUDENTSCHOOL
We welcome registrations from May to September for the Fall Semester, and December to February for the Winter Semester.
We accept students from across the city. We are located less than a 10 minute walk from the Runnymede Subway station. Call us about our courses for the upcoming semester. We can arrange a personal tour and answer all of your questions.
Additional Features
- EcoSchool Certified
- Credit Courses in Yoga
- Fully Equiped Science Lab
- School Volleyball Team
- Breakfast and Lunch Program
- Personal Staff Mentor
- Best Graduation Event in Town!
- School wide activities and trips
Student Life - Where You Belong
GO TEAM
“At STUDENTSCHOOL the teachers genuinely care and try to do all they can to help you succeed. The atmosphere is one of quiet acceptance; it’s an unspoken pact that all are welcome and no one should feel otherwise. TSS is a family; we take care of each other, both teachers and students. I’ve been to three high schools and this is by far the BEST!”
Kamini Murthy-Karteweg, Graduate 2010
“TSS is so different from most other schools; you hardly feel like you’re in high school. The academics are still there, but the atmosphere is so relaxed and friendly …. I would never have completed high school if I hadn’t come here.”
Lauryn Burford, Graduate 2010
"At TSS I didn’t feel the need to conform, look and do the same as everyone else. I was able to be myself without feeling worried about being left out or being made fun of."
Cecelia Calladine, Student
“My first two years of high school felt like five, but my year and a half at STUDENT has felt like six months! Time flies when you’re having fun and gaining knowledge and skills you will actually use in the future.”
Sophie Feltes, Student
WHAT SETS US APART
THE STUDENT SCHOOL fosters an appreciation for learning as a lifelong experience. Equally important is that our students develop a healthy awareness of self-worth as well as respect for the environment and humanity in all its diversity of gender, culture, religion, colour, age, appearance, ableness, and sexual orientation.
"A note of sincere thanks is extended to all at The Student School (TSS). The school environment was a terrific experience, where students were always treated with respect and supported at all times to achieve their fullest academic potential and learn to appreciate the efforts of others to open their eyes to our ever changing world. The girls have now both graduated, and will always carry wonderful memories of the loving and caring environment. So to anyone that has an opportunity to read this testimonial...there is no finer group of caring individuals that I have ever had the chance to know...on behalf of my children and my wife and I...a heartfelt thanks to everyone at TSS."
Sincerely,
Mike Bonamico
Parent of two TSS Graduates
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Shelter Committee
For over 20 years, we have supported shelters for women and children fleeing violence and for homeless teens. Students approach parents, friends and local merchants for donations and host a live auction each December. This year alone we raised $15,000 to purchase clothing, scarves, hats, toiletries and chocolates. We assembled and distributed 225 gift packages at Christmas time to seven shelters in Toronto. Our shelter committee's efforts have been reported in the Toronto Star and the local community newspaper.
"It was a thrill to have learnt more about you from an article in the local newspaper! We have been receiving gifts from you for years yet were enlightened to learn just how much effort goes into your massive efforts. Once again, we were overwhelmed with your generosity and impressed with your organization."
Wendy Turner, Director of Evangeline Shelter