Kindergarten
The school describes play-based learning, social-emotional development, explicit phonics, hands-on mathematics, visual arts, French and music, daily outdoor exercise, spring ducklings and monthly field trips.
At a glance
- Grades
- Grade 1 – Grade 12
- Board
- Independent
Tuition & admissions
- Tuition
- $18,000 /year
- Application fee
- $75 non-refundable; payable by cheque or e-Transfer.
Admissions process
Complete the Inquiry Form; the admissions team will contact the family. · Meet with the school and schedule a tour to learn about each other. · Complete the supplied Application Form and email it to info@auroraalternative.ca with the non-refundable $75 application fee, payable by cheque or e-Transfer. · If the school considers Aurora a suitable fit for the family, complete the enrolment form and tuition agreements.
Academics & learning
- Curriculum
- Published subjects include literacy, mathematics, science, history, geography, French, Spanish, arts and physical education. Kindergarten combines play, explicit phonics, hands-on mathematics, visual arts, French, music and daily outdoor exercise. Primary and junior/intermediate pages describe academic inquiry integrated with creative work and nature experiences.
Tuition & financial aid details
- Plan 1: $3,000 deposit on enrolment and one $8,000 payment on September 1.
- Plan 2: $3,000 deposit on enrolment, $4,000 on September 1 and $4,000 on November 1.
- Additional tuition statement: The source separately states: 'Yearly Tuition is $1250 to be paid monthly.' Its relationship to Plans 1 and 2 is not specified.
- Annual supplies fee: $200 non-refundable fee covering school and sporting supplies and some cooking ingredients.
- Payment and refund conditions: Tuition is non-refundable and is not adjusted for prolonged absence, withdrawal or required distance learning. Accounts more than 30 days in arrears result in student dismissal until cleared.
Course descriptions
Literacy and languages
Primary literacy progresses from letters and sentences to students’ own bound story books. Junior/intermediate literacy includes creative writing, analytical reading and debate using novels, films, documentaries, plays, lyrics and poetry. The school describes French and Spanish learning.
Mathematics and coding
Published topics include counting, abacus, arithmetic, fractions, exponents, percentages, algebra, financial literacy, ethical investment, data, measurement and geometry. Primary students may use Scratch and Scratch Jr.
Science inquiry
Published units include animals and habitats, food and health, compounds and experiments, structures, climate, the human body, mechanisms and elements. The school says Scientists in the School and Toronto Wildlife Association visits support primary science.
History and geography
Students explore countries, continents, cultures and family histories; older students also study Canadian history, diversity, multiculturalism and immigration and take Toronto neighbourhood excursions.
Arts, drama and making
Activities described include drama, improvisation, painting, photography, lino printing and mixed-media primary projects; the junior/intermediate page also describes possible scriptwriting and short-film projects.
Garden and food learning
The curriculum page describes an edible garden and cooking activities during Spring and Summer terms.
School images
Learning programs
Learning support
Regular teacher conferences review individual performance and establish next steps. · Kindergarten provides individualized instruction in a very small class with a certified teacher. · Support with high-school application forms and the My Blueprint process.
Student life
Sports
Daily movement, cooperative play and skill development. · Access to an exercise bike, weights, basketball and volleyball nets, and spike ball. · Regular Wimbledon 101 tennis coaching during the Spring and Fall curriculum.
Arts
Drama and improv, with possible scriptwriting and short-film creation. · Visual arts including painting, photography and lino printing. · Primary creative work with clay, acrylics, play dough, sand sculpture, watercolours, wooden and magnetic tiles, and individual sketchbooks. · Edible gardening and cooking skills during the Spring and Summer terms. · Kindergarten visual arts and music taught by certified teachers.
Facilities
Library. · Computers. · On-site exercise bike and weights. · Basketball and volleyball nets. · Spike ball equipment.
Outdoor activities & education
- Daily outdoor exercise: The kindergarten page describes daily exercise in outdoor green spaces. Curriculum pages mention parks, beaches, creeks and woodland for movement, play and learning.
- Nature and local learning: Published curriculum examples include Toronto-area excursions and visits by Scientists in the School and Toronto Wildlife Association; individual trip schedules are not listed.
- Tennis: The school describes Wimbledon 101 coaching during Spring and Fall.
- Garden: Students may develop an edible garden; the school associates gardening and cooking with Spring and Summer terms.
About the school
Aurora Alternative School offers experiential, creative learning, including a play-based kindergarten program and a developmentally responsive primary curriculum integrating academics, arts and time in nature.
Location & school highlights
Location
- Located in Toronto
- with nearby parks
- green spaces
- beaches
- creeks and woodland. Learning excursions include Kensington Market
- the Brickworks
- Leslie Spit
- Toronto Islands and the Don Valley.
What makes the school distinct
- Hands-on, inquiry-based learning connected to real-world experiences.
- Assessment emphasizes feedback, reflection, student-created rubrics, teacher conferences and portfolios rather than traditional testing.
- Optional homework with a choice of assignments.
- Kindergarten offers a very small class, individualized instruction and outdoor exploration.
- The Time 4 Change project lets students create a group business to raise funds for a chosen charity, starting in the Winter term.
Nearby properties
Active residential listings within about 2 km of the school.
