Helfort House

Hertford House is an alternative school       With an excellent reputation, located in Toronto , Canada. We have about 100   students, aged 6 to 8, and 15 teaching        staff. We aim to helpchildren become independent and responsible adults.
At Herford House, we believe in freedom for the Individual. We encourage each child to discover who they are and what they  want to be. We are  acommunity. Everyone cooperates in the daily life of the school. We  make all our decisions together, and the opinions of adults and children are given equal importance.
Students here are free to choosewhat classes they take. Students normally study in class for five hours of day, for four days a week. There is a wide range of subject to choose from. We offer most academic subjects, as well as morecreative classes in dance, music art, and sports. However, classes are optional. We do not force students to go to classes, or to do homework. Students who do not attend classes are not punished. Examsare also voluntary. We believe in the right of every child to make a free choice and find their own way in life.
School meeting are held three times a week, and everyone attends. Teachers andstudents all have an equal vote. This is an opportunity to listen to any problems in the school and try to find a solution together. We believe that it is important for member of the school to come togetherin this way. It develops feeling of community, responsibility, and independence.
Except for safery regulations, the students themselves make all the rules of the school. Everyone should follow therules, but those who don’t are not punished in the traditional way. We simply ask students to think about way they have done, and why their behavior is unacceptable to other’s. In this way, studentslearn to respect each other.
Hertford House encourages parents to participle in the life of the school: Parents accept equal responsibility, working together with teachers and students. Many...