When school stops working,
there is another way
Passages is a self-directed school in Toronto for youth aged 10–18 needing a different way to learn.
You might be seeing your child:
bright and curious but overwhelmed by the classroom
anxious or overstimulated
misunderstood or disconnected from learning
wanting to spend their days on what genuinely interests them
working through their neurodivergence and needing a peer group
We trust young people to direct their own education and rebuild their confidence as learners.
“I finally have my kid back.” -Passages Parent
We know that when young people feel good, they do good and many of the youth who find Passages have not felt good in school for a long time.
Passages is a small, self-directed, democratic alternative school on Toronto’s Danforth, where young people can direct their days.
What a day looks like at Passages:
Offerings such as classes and workshops
Guidance through 1:1 mentoring and coaching
Exploring personal interests
Participating in committees and community initiatives
Trips out in Toronto
Over time, our learners begin to see themselves differently. Confidence grows. Curiosity returns.
They begin to trust themselves as learners again.
And perhaps most importantly, they feel like they belong.
If this feels like it could be a fit, here’s how to get started:
Freedom
Freedom is not doing whatever one wants without regard for others. Instead, it’s about understanding personal autonomy, being accountable to goals, and working on personal projects driven by the learner.
Community
Passages is a democratic community where decisions go through our Weekly Community Meeting. Being part of the Passages Community means joining a group of young people who want a place to come every day.
Safety
If one doesn’t feel safe, one can’t learn. This is why we prioritize psychological safety.
Learner led conflict resolution processes, supported by staff help accountability and repair, within community.
Respect
We respect all learners’ ability to direct their days and to create a meaningful education. Weekly one-on-one mentoring support helps guide learners towards their personal goals.
A personalized education
Open September to June, Monday to Friday from 9am-3pm.
We are a Proud member of the Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)
Ministry of Education BSID #882007