Alternative Programs and

Open BoundariesSchool Closure Moratorium CommitteeSeptember 20, 2011

Underlying Beliefs Regarding Alternatives in Education

To provide choice among programs

To broaden the range of program offerings

To increase public awareness and participation in education

To personalize instruction

To provide continual growth and renewal

History of Alternative Programs Alternative programs are board

approved programs that emphasize a particular language, culture, religion, subject-matter, or teaching philosophy

Edmonton Public Schools offers approximately thirty alternative programs to provide different paths to achieve academic and personal success

History of Open Boundaries

Edmonton Public parents have choices as to where to send their child for his or her education

Students can attend any school in the District, as long as the school has available space and the student qualifies for entry

Transportation

Transportation to alternative programs was initiated by the Board of Trustees

Transportation funding comes from two sources Block grant from the Province Bus pass fees paid by parents

The Board approves transportation fees on a yearly basis, including transportation to alternative programs

Number of Alternative Programs

The District currently has approximately thirtyAlternative Programs

Subject Matter• Arts Core, Academic Alternative, Advanced Placement, Edmonton

Professional School of Ballet, International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP, MY, Diploma, Pre-Advanced Placement, Science Alternative, Sports Alternative

Faith-based Logos, Edmonton Christian, Meadowlark Christian, Mill Woods Christian,

Sakinah Circle

Language and Culture Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Aboriginal, American Sign Language,

Cree Extended, Hebrew, International Spanish Academy, Ukrainian Bilingual

Teaching Philosophy Caraway, Child Study Centre, Cogito, Nellie McClung, Traditional, Waldorf

Alternative ProgramLocations

Enrolment in Alternative Programs

District Enrolment September 30, 2010 = 79,911

District Alternative Program Enrolment = 22,316 (28%)

New Alternative Program Sites

New alternative programs may be established over time in response to demand

Alternative programs are distributed to schools taking into consideration a number of factors including:

Demand for the program Space in existing schools to accommodate the program Proximity of space to student residences Availability of qualified staff Transportation Impact on other programs Requirement for facility modifications

Stand Alone Alternative Programs

Alternative programs are distributed to schools accommodating a regular program. They are intended to operate along side of the regular program

The alternative program becomes the only program when there are not sufficient students enrolled in the regular program

The following schools have experienced this pattern: Elmwood Glengarry Mill Creek Mount Pleasant Queen Alexandra Rio Terrace Victoria

36226198

75619109

989411371

100075428

38204465

53735638

25773681

73844111

7283 5829

Kindergarten to Grade 9

Enrolment vs

Residency

September 30, 2010 Enrolment Data

W2 W1

NC

NENW

SW SE

C

SC

Utilization and

Alternative ProgramLocations

70% 63%

64%57%

60%

70%

65%

78%

73%

Questions..