IGBHA: District Alertnative School Programs

The Board of School Trustees (the “Board”) believes the neighbourhood school is of prime importance in the delivery of educational services.  The neighbourhood school is entrusted to ensure quality instruction and strong programs in all prescribed curriculum areas.  Neighbourhood schools provide a sound education foundation by addressing the needs and wishes of most students and their parents through their curricular program.  The staff, administration, parents and students will work cooperatively to develop foci to meet the diverse needs and interests of students at neighbourhood schools.  The Board supports such initiatives and recognizes the goals and foci of a neighbourhood school may change over time. 

Although the Board believes the neighbourhood school is central in meeting the educational needs of the parents and their children, the Board recognizes parents, students, community members and staff may request alternative programs at the district level. 

Alternative Elementary School District programs will be of two types: 

• Programs that respond to needs are intended to provide equity in learning opportunity for all students who require additional social, emotional, and cognitive support.  The Board, to the extent possible, will establish programs to meet these identified needs.  Students are referred to these programs by school staff.
• Programs that respond to wishes are considered programs of choice.  They are designed to enrich learning and to enhance the prescribed curriculum by taking specific approaches to learning.  Students apply to these programs.  The Board will review, and where appropriate, approve proposals for these programs. 

Alternative Secondary School District Programs will be of two types: 

• Alternate Resource Programs and Special Education Programs are established by the Board for students who need an alternative setting and support staff due to their social/emotional needs or who have other special needs that require specialized staff and resources  The Board, to the extent possible, will establish programs to meet these identified needs.  Students are generally referred to these programs by school staff. 
• Secondary District Alternative Programs of Choice - District Specified Alternative Programs are established in response to identified students’ educational needs which cannot be met by regular programs.  Each District Alternative Program is attached to a main school, but provides a smaller, more protected learning environment, and is unique in its structure philosophy and accommodation to gifted and talented students.  The Board will review, and where appropriate, approve proposals for these programs.  Students apply to these programs. 

DMT Responsibility: AS-DLS