Board endorses plans for Africentric high school in Toronto

Excerpts from InsideToronto.com

Librarian Veronica Sullivan works with students at the school 

 An Africentric high school could open as early as September 2012 with community consultation to begin shortly to determine the location of the alternative school. Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustees voted 14-6 in favour of continuing an elementary-to-secondary Africentric school pathway for students at the Wednesday, Nov. 16, board meeting.

"When I was elected, I was a bit skeptical about the Africentric school," said York Centre Trustee Howard Kaplan, whose ward currently consists of the Africentric elementary school that shares a building with Sheppard Public School near Keele Street and Sheppard Avenue. "I have never seen in any other school within my ward such an engaged parent council. They are proud of this school. This is a wonderful school."  Kaplan added that he found no evidence of exclusion, responding to critics of the Africentric Alternative School when it was first debated back in 2008 who argued that it would be like segregation.

"Parent engagement is off the charts at this school," said Spence, adding there is a waiting list to get in the school, which currently has 185 students enrolled.  Parent council chair Josette Holness applauded the decision to look into establishing an Africentric high school where her six-year-old son can attend in the future.  "I believe in it. It's been a great ride," said Holness, whose son is thriving at the Africentric elementary school. "He's doing an amazing job. He loves it."