Ajax Alternative School Program
52 Simcoe Street South
Oshawa, ON, L1A 4G3
Phone: (905) 571-4655

Contact: Marlene Niskala, Program Director
Email: mniskala@murraymckinnon.ca

The Ajax Alternative School Program is an initiative supported by Stakeholders from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Durham District School Board (Grove School) and Murray McKinnon Foundation (Community Based Programs). Durham District School Board will provide a teacher and Murray McKinnon Foundation will provide an Attendance Counselor.

This alternative education program services young persons who are involved with Youth Justice Services in the Ajax/Pickering area. The young persons are between the ages of 12 - 17 at the time of their offence. The young persons may not be registered in an education program at the time of their referral. The program is located in Central Ajax.

Our objectives are:

• Provide a viable alternative education program for 10 young persons in Ajax/Pickering area who are without an existing Education Program
• Development of an individualized education plan in
  collaboration with the teacher and the young person
• Provide support and encouragement to the young
  person allowing them to work at their own pace
• Provide emotional support to the young persons
• Eliminate barriers with transportation
• Provide data for outcome evaluations to measure client success as it relates to credit completion/recovery, graduation, completion of OSSLT, completion of Mandatory Community Involvement and transitions to regular/alternative schools.

The referral source is the Probation Case Manager.