Africentric Alternative School - Toronto District School Board

Africentric Alternative School
ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
WEBSITE:
GRADE RANGE:
1430 Sheppard Ave W, North York, ON
M3M 2W9
(416) 395-5251
AfricentricAlternativeSchool@tdsb.on.ca
http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/africentricschool
JK to 8
Together we build, succeed and lead.
School Motto
At the Africentric
Alternative School our
community motto is,
together we build,
succeed and lead. We
strongly believe that we
are shaping the leaders
of tomorrow through
teaching our students to
succeed today.
The Africentric Alternative School began operating in September
2009 in response to an initial community request for such a
school in June 2007 to address a high dropout rate and
achievement gap affecting students of African descent. TDSB
initiated a consultation process with stakeholders. In January
2008, a report titled Improving Success For Black Students was
presented to the Board of Trustees with a number of
recommendations. Ultimately, the Board approved a
recommendation to establish the Africentric Alternative School to
open in September 2009 at Sheppard Public School. Since this
time, the school has expanded to grade 8 as of September 2015
serves 120 students
The Seven Principles of the
Nguzo Saba
Our school is based on the Seven Principles of the Nguzo Saba.
Umoja means unity: To strive and maintain unity in family, and
community. Kujichagulia means self determination: To define
oneself; speak for oneself and to create for ourselves. Ujima
means collective work and responsibility. Ujamaa means
cooperative economics: To cooperatively build and maintain
business. Nia means purpose: To develop community for purpose.
Kuumba means creativity: To do as much as we can to leave our
community more beautiful than when we inherited it. Imani means
faith: To believe in our parents, teachers, leaders, and ourselves.
More Information about Africentric Alternative School
Nutrition Program
Working in collaboration with the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, the Africentric Alternative
School is able to offer a nutritional snack daily in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide. Our
dedicated parents and volunteers have led to the success of the program.
Using the Arts to engage our Students
Our children enjoy all forms of dramatic presentation and our
educators look for a variety of ways to engage all our learners
through the Arts. This positively impacts students academic, social
and emotional behavior.
The School Pledge
Today I pledge to be the best possible me. No matter how good I am, I know that I can become
better. Today I pledge to feed, my mind knowledge, my body strength, and my spirit faith. Today I
pledge to take my education seriously and I will always do my best; at school, at home and in my
community. Today I pledge to believe in me. Ashe.
Our School Vision
We take an intentional, proactive approach to building a solid foundation for our students with an
intent to nurture resilience, academic and social excellence and a strong sense of identity. An
Africentric approach and academic rigour are essential to our students' brilliance, their scholarly and
social excellence. Dignity, service, and pride are pillars of our school.
Additional Features
For a list of all programs that are also offered visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Findyour/Schools.aspx?schno=3949&schoolId=3997
Student Life - Where You Belong
In the morning when our students enter our school they and their parents are greeted with a smile from
our school staff and administration. Twice per week as students enter their classrooms they are
escorted to our school-wide morning assembly. At the Assembly we start with the First Nations Land
acknowledgement then sing; O’Canada, and Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson. We
then say with our right hand on our hearts, our school pledge, the Nguzo Saba and our daily affirmation.
This is how we focus ourselves on success together each and everyday at the Africentric Alternative
School.
What Sets Us Apart
We are a unique school with unique features. Our teachers integrate the diverse perspectives,
experiences and histories of people of African descent into the provincial mandated curriculum. Our
staff members practice the use of authentic and relevant teaching and learning that reflect our
Africentric commitments and social realities to engage and extend the critical numeracy and literacy
skills of our students. Secondly, although the Africentric Alternative School is in Toronto’s west end, any
student living in Toronto can attend the school. The Africentric Alternative School has three key
outcomes for its students; High academic achievement; High self-pride and a High motivation to
succeed.
Parent and Community Engagement
We are a caring community building cohesive reciprocal relationships that enable students, staff,
parents, and community members to advocate for and support a rich learning environment. Our School
Council always helps to discover new and exciting ways to contribute to the education of students in the
school. Each member helps to strengthen this partnership in an effort to ensure a high quality of
education for our students and greater community through events such as the Annual Africentric Gala
Event. This event is accomplished by business donations, community organization supports and the
strength of our parent partnership.
TDSB - Better Schools. Brighter Futures
Imagine a TDSB where all schools share a common core set of characteristics. They are
community-driven and focused on teaching and learning. Students and parents have a wide variety of
opportunities 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 financial
stability.
Contact Information
SCHOOL NAME: Africentric Alternative School
ADDRESS:
1430 Sheppard Ave W, North York, ON
M3M 2W9
TELEPHONE:
(416) 395-5251
EMAIL:
AfricentricAlternativeSchool@tdsb.on.ca
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Findyour/Schools.aspx?schno=3949&schoolId=3997