Alternative Education
The Scarborough Board of Education is committed to offering all students a variety of options for fulfilling their secondary education. In doing so, the Alternative Education Program was created to meet the needs of students in an innovative, flexible, and individualized format that educates, empowers, and encourages at-risk students to help them complete a high school education and transition to a productive, healthy post-secondary school life.
Students considering alternative education are encouraged to speak with their guidance counselor. Entrance requires a successful five-day visit and an intake meeting that includes the alternative education staff, student, and parent or guardian. Openings are filled on a first-come, first-served basis for any student in grades 9-12.
Program Highlights
- Students earn a full Scarborough High School diploma and meet all requirements of students in the traditional program
- Staffed by two full-time teachers and three social workers
- Maximum of 22 students
- Openings filled on a first-come/first-served basis for any student in grades 9-12
- Students enrolled in a career and technical education program may participate
- Students receiving special education services are welcome
- Flexible schedules meet students' individual needs
- Students generally take core courses in English, mathematics, social studies, and physical education
- Students take a PE class daily, where community/team-building is the focus
- Students wishing to take fine arts, lab science, and world language courses are assigned to classes in the traditional program
- Each semester all teachers and students participate together in a course in the traditional program; the course varies, and in the past has included a lab science, art foundations, health, 21st-Century technology, and ceramics
- Field trips, career interest opportunities, and service projects are integrated into the program when appropriate and available