Thoughts from an Alt School Alumnus

We've been hearing from lots of TDSB alt school students, alumni, parents, and supporters about what alt schools mean to them. And some of you have a lot to say on the subject! This section of the site will feature some of the longer testimonials that we've had to trim down for social media. This is from Daegan, who is 22 and living in Toronto after attending Inglenook Community School for grades 11 and 12.

"I originally came from a homeschooling background in small-town Missouri, and when we moved to Toronto in the early 2000s I was lucky enough to find another alternative school (Delta Alternative) as my first real school experience, where I began to find myself more interested in art and photography, whereas in a traditional schooling environment I would never have been exposed to social justice issues or been able to explore as many different subjects as I was at Delta.

In high school my first two years were spent at Ursula Franklin Academy, but the uniforms and social cliques made me look for other options, and for the last two years of my high school experience I was lucky enough to come to Inglenook, which I am forever grateful for. I went to Ryerson IMA and I'm now a freelance artist and photographer working in the Toronto area.

I went to alternative school because I wanted more freedom in my school experience, and because I wanted a place where I could be myself, without cliques or judgement. I also wanted to learn things that wouldn't necessarily be taught in a traditional school system.

I think alternative schools are essential in giving kids who don't feel like they fit in anywhere a place to be themselves and to find career choices that they wouldn't otherwise. In my time at Inglenook there was a massive community. Nobody was left out, and it felt very much like a family, especially during the talent show that was held twice a year. There is so much support in an alternative school, because if we're all 'the outsider' then nobody is left out when we all come together.

I think alternative school really boosted mine and everyone else's maturity, as we were often given the chance to explore projects and concepts on our own. In my last year at Inglenook I ran a successful zine called Kaleidoscope Sunrise with many of my fellow students with the teachers supporting us and backing us the whole way. For many years I've worked as a freelance photographer, and without Inglenook I don't think I would have ever had the courage to pursue a career like that.

I think that removing funding and teachers would destroy Inglenook forever, and would leave kids like me, who had no friends and felt like they didn't fit in in traditional schooling behind in the dust. Schools like Inglenook are places of connection, love, and creativity, and I cherish the time I spent there and the enduring support and passion from the teachers, and I think that there should be no cuts in funding or staff in alternative schooling systems.