East York Alternative High School

A CHANGE AND A FUTURE FOR YOUTH TODAY

East York Alternative (EYA) is not just a school. It is a community and a sanctuary.

EYA is a safe and inclusive space where students can go to feel heard, understood, respected, and acknowledged. Students in Toronto often face extenuating circumstances that can seriously hinder their progress in school. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, social/emotional issues, family troubles, poverty, homelessness, and academic challenges. Many students find themselves lost in the large setting of a mainstream school and feel that their needs are not met in these environments.



At EYA, the students are seen as unique individuals; each with their own story to tell and ideas to share. The staff is 100% committed to providing their students with all of the support that they need in order to be successful whether it’s academically or personally. Teachers tailor their courses around the inquiry of their students and provide multiple options for students to demonstrate their understanding of the content. Given that our school community is smaller, teachers are given a platform to be more flexible and provide one on one support and guidance for their students.

Many EYA students see our school as a second home and a place where they enjoy being.

To hear more from our students themselves and see our school in action, please check out our video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeXIoAw26FE

Positive Impact, Contributions, and Accomplishments to the EYA Environment

With less funding available to alternative schools, the students and staff at EYA, together with the school community council, work towards making positive changes in their school. As a collective, they put their own new ideas into action towards growing and improving their school and community. Some of these initiatives include, but are not limited to:

• EYA and Community and Elementary Partnerships:

o Art Program: EYA students teaching elementary and secondary students the art of silk screening and mural painting.

• EYA’s Nutrition Program:

o Our school provides a nutrition program which helps students focus better in class and stay healthy; especially important to students who experience financial problems at home or live independently. Being supported by the nutrition program enables students to access food without any stigma.

• EYA’s Commitment to Voices that Matter:

o Our school hosts a monthly Community Council meeting where students, community members, parents, teachers, and alumni meet once a month to make improvements to the school and to advocate for the space.

o Once a month, our school has a Town Hall meeting during school hours where important announcements are made, student of the month awards are given out, and general housekeeping matters are attended to.

o Our school hosts many student-led leadership opportunities in and out of school, where students are trained to lead mental health committee, as well as mural painting, silk screening, and equity-based workshops.



EYA is currently facing the risk of being closed due to cost-cutting measures being taken by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). The TDSB proposed closures focus on schools with smaller populations. Given that EYA is currently at 140% capacity, there is clear need for our school to remain open. If our doors are closed, students may be forced to join the communities of mainstream schools which they have already escaped.



We would greatly appreciate your support to keep EYA open by signing our petition and sharing this page with others. Every signature is immensely valued. Thank you for supporting our community.