Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies opened its doors on September 2, 1986, with 360 adult students and a mandate that still defines the school: give people who fell through the cracks of conventional education a real path to their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Nearly four decades later, the school — known locally as SCAS — operates as a dual-track institution under the Toronto District School Board, running both a day program for students in Grades 10 through 12 and one of the largest adult education streams in the TDSB system.
The school sits at 720 Midland Avenue in Scarborough, south of Eglinton Avenue East. What happens inside that building looks nothing like a typical high school. Smaller classes. Flexible scheduling. Vocational programs — including a carpentry stream with roots stretching back to the school’s earliest relocations in the late 1980s. For anyone searching for Scarborough alternative studies options, SCAS has been the anchor institution for close to 40 years.
What Is Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies?
SCAS is a publicly funded alternative and adult high school operated by the Toronto District School Board, serving Grades 10-12 day students and mature learners pursuing their OSSD from its Scarborough campus. The school holds TDSB school numbers 4175 and 4177 (the latter for its adult stream) and enrolls roughly 1,689 students across both tracks, according to the most recent publicly available TDSB enrollment data.
People searching for the Scarborough school for alternative studies, the Scarborough Centre of Alternative Studies, or just “SCAS” are all looking for the same place. The naming variations trip up search engines, but there is only one school at this address.
History and Background
The school’s lineage traces back to November 1977, when a single teacher and fifteen students launched the Re-entry Program at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute. That modest experiment — designed for dropouts and disadvantaged learners wanting a second shot — grew to 9 teachers and 200 students by 1985. A parallel Co-Op Re-entry Program launched in 1980, pairing classroom learning with job placements.
By 1986, both programs merged and expanded into what became Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies, opening at the former Tabor Park Vocational School building at 959 Midland Avenue under the Scarborough Board of Education. When that campus was transferred to the Metropolitan Separate School Board in 1989, SCAS bounced through temporary locations — Highbrook Senior Public School, Thomson Collegiate, and a commercial site — before establishing a campus at 939 Progress Avenue in 1994 through a partnership with Centennial College. The school eventually settled at its current address on 720 Midland Avenue, sharing the former Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute campus with South East Year Round Alternative Centre.
How SCAS Differs from a Traditional High School
The differences are structural, not just atmospheric. A conventional TDSB secondary school runs fixed semesters with classes of 25-30 students, standardized bell schedules, and exam-heavy assessment. SCAS inverts most of that.
| Feature | SCAS | Conventional TDSB Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Class Size | Smaller, individualized attention | 25-30 students per class |
| Grades Offered | 10-12 (day) + adult education | 9-12 |
| Scheduling | Flexible, adapted to student needs | Fixed semester or quadmester |
| Assessment | Project-based, experiential | Primarily exam and test-based |
| Credit Recovery | Core program offering | Limited summer school options |
| Adult Learners | Dedicated adult and EdVance streams | Not accommodated in day programs |
| Vocational Training | Carpentry, co-op placements | Limited trades exposure |
Programs, Courses, and Vocational Training
SCAS runs three distinct academic pathways under one roof: a Grades 10-12 day school program, vocational and hands-on courses including carpentry, and a credit recovery stream with co-operative education placements. All three lead to Ontario Ministry of Education-approved credits toward the OSSD, which requires 30 credits including compulsory courses in English, mathematics, and Canadian history or geography, as specified in the Ontario Ministry of Education’s policy document Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Day School Program (Grades 10-12)
The day program covers the standard Ontario curriculum across Grades 10 to 12 — English, math, science, social studies, and electives — but delivers it through smaller classes and project-based learning. According to the Toronto District School Board’s alternative schools directory, alternative schools within the TDSB were designed to serve students whose learning styles, personal circumstances, or educational goals are not well matched to a conventional secondary school. SCAS fits that description precisely.
Timetabling at SCAS bends to the student rather than the other way around. Students balancing part-time work, health issues, or caregiving responsibilities can often negotiate schedules that would be impossible at a standard high school. That flexibility is not a concession — it is the design.
Carpentry and Hands-On Learning
The Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies carpentry program stands out as one of the school’s most tangible vocational offerings. Carpentry instruction at SCAS has roots in the school’s earliest years — when classes were temporarily relocated to Thomson Collegiate in 1989, the carpentry program moved with them, underscoring its importance to the school’s identity even during upheaval.
Vocational training at SCAS connects students to skilled trades at a time when Ontario faces well-documented labour shortages in construction. Students earn credits while learning practical skills in a workshop setting, bridging the gap between classroom theory and job-site reality.
Credit Recovery and Co-op Education
Credit recovery is not a side offering at SCAS. It is one of the school’s primary functions. Students who have fallen behind — whether from attendance gaps, mental health challenges, or a poor experience at a previous school — can target specific credits they are missing rather than repeating entire semesters. Co-operative education placements extend the learning beyond the building, connecting students with employers and community organizations for supervised workplace experience that counts toward their diploma.
| Pathway | Who It Serves | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Day School (Gr. 10-12) | Students needing flexible alternative environment | Small classes, project-based learning |
| Carpentry / Vocational | Students interested in skilled trades | Workshop-based, hands-on credits |
| Credit Recovery | Students with incomplete credits | Targeted credit completion, no full-semester repeat |
| Co-op Education | Students earning experiential credits | Workplace placements with employer partners |
Scarborough Centre for Alt Studies Adult Education and EdVance
SCAS runs two separate streams for learners beyond traditional high school age: the Adult Program for students 21 and older, and the EdVance Program for young adults aged 18-20. Both operate under the same roof and both lead to the OSSD, but they serve different populations with different scheduling needs.
Adult Program (21+)
The Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies adult program is one of the TDSB’s designated pathways for mature learners who left school before completing their diploma and want to return. According to the TDSB school profile for SCAS, the school describes itself as “a dual track school that offers educational opportunities to learners (21 and over) in our Adult Program.” There is no upper age limit. Adults in their 30s, 40s, and beyond routinely enroll.
Course formats are built around adult schedules. Students focus only on the specific credits they still need, working at a self-directed pace rather than carrying a full course load. Tuition is free for Ontario residents — the TDSB funds adult credit programs through provincial education grants.
EdVance Program (18-20)
The EdVance Program bridges the gap between the day school and the adult stream. Young adults aged 18 to 20 who are no longer attending a regular high school but are too young for the adult program (which starts at 21) land here. EdVance offers the same Ontario curriculum credits in a setting designed for this specific age group — people who are often working, managing new responsibilities, and need scheduling flexibility that a conventional school cannot provide.
Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies Reviews: What Students Report
Online Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies reviews are sparse — the school does not generate the kind of Yelp-style volume that restaurants or retail businesses do. What does exist across Google reviews, community forums, and TDSB survey data paints a consistent picture: students and parents describe SCAS as a practical, no-nonsense environment where the small class sizes and personal attention make the biggest difference.
Positive feedback clusters around three themes: teachers who adjust to individual learning speeds, a non-judgmental atmosphere for older students returning to education, and the concrete usefulness of vocational programs. Criticism, where it appears, tends to focus on limited course variety compared to larger schools and the school’s modest physical facilities.
Who Thrives Here — and Who Does Not
SCAS works best for students who need structure without rigidity. Credit recovery students, adult learners, and anyone who struggled in a 30-person classroom tend to find the environment effective. The school is less suited to students who want a wide range of extracurriculars, competitive athletics, or the social experience of a large conventional high school. The SCAS Eagles — the school’s athletic teams, wearing blue and silver — compete in TDSB leagues, but the options are narrower than what a school with 1,500 teenagers and a full athletic department can offer.
Prospective students should visit in person before committing. Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies photos circulating online are limited, and the school’s website (scasonline.com) provides basic program information but not the visual tour that helps set realistic expectations about the campus.
Enrollment, Location & Contact Information
Enrollment at SCAS runs through direct contact with the school office, with primary intake periods in September and February. Prospective students — or parents acting on their behalf — call or email to arrange an intake meeting, then bring their Ontario Student Record and most recent transcripts.
How to Enroll
- Contact the school office by phone at (416) 396-6992 or by email at ScarboroughCentre@tdsb.on.ca to request an intake appointment.
- Gather required documents: Ontario Student Record (OSR), most recent transcripts, and identification.
- Attend an intake meeting with a guidance counsellor or administrator to discuss academic history and goals.
- Complete the TDSB enrollment forms provided by the school office.
- Confirm your start date, aligned with the September or February intake window (rolling enrollment may be available for adult students).
Students transferring from another TDSB school can have their records requested directly by the SCAS administrative team, which simplifies the paperwork considerably.
Address and Contact Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School Name | Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies (SCAS) |
| School Board | Toronto District School Board (TDSB) |
| Address | 720 Midland Avenue, Scarborough, ON, M1K 4C9 |
| Phone | (416) 396-6992 |
| Fax | (416) 396-6739 |
| ScarboroughCentre@tdsb.on.ca | |
| Website | scasonline.com |
| Grades | 10-12 (day program) + Adult Education + EdVance (18-20) |
| School Number | 4175 (main) / 4177 (adult) |
| Mascot | SCAS Eagles |
| School Colors | Blue and Silver |
The campus sits on Midland Avenue south of Eglinton Avenue East, sharing the former Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute building with South East Year Round Alternative Centre. TTC bus routes serving the area include routes along Midland and connections from Eglinton Avenue East, making the school accessible from most of eastern Toronto. For anyone seeking study spots in Scarborough near public transit, the Midland corridor also offers libraries and community centres within walking distance of the campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SCAS stand for?
SCAS stands for Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies, the abbreviation used by students, staff, and the Toronto District School Board in official records. The school also carries TDSB school numbers 4175 (main campus) and 4177 (adult education stream). People searching for “scarborough centre for alternative studies scas” are looking for this same school.
What is the Scarborough abbreviation in the context of SCAS?
“Scarborough” itself does not have a standard abbreviation in Canadian postal or municipal usage — it is a district within the City of Toronto, not a separately abbreviated municipality. In the context of Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies, the relevant abbreviation is SCAS, which refers specifically to the school.
Does SCAS offer carpentry courses?
Yes. The Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies carpentry program is one of the school’s longstanding vocational offerings. Carpentry instruction has been part of SCAS since the late 1980s and provides hands-on workshop credits that count toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Are there good study spots in Scarborough near SCAS?
Several public study spots in Scarborough sit within a short distance of the SCAS campus. The Scarborough Civic Centre branch of the Toronto Public Library, the Agincourt branch, and the Cedarbrae branch all offer free study space, Wi-Fi, and extended hours. Community centres along the Midland and Eglinton corridors also provide quiet rooms for students who need a workspace outside of school hours.
Are there open-air events in Scarborough?
Scarborough hosts several Scarborough open air events throughout the year, particularly during summer. The Scarborough Bluffs area hosts outdoor concerts and festivals, the Rouge National Urban Park offers nature programming, and community events run regularly at Thomson Memorial Park and the Scarborough Town Centre area. These events are not affiliated with SCAS but are part of the broader Scarborough community that the school serves.
Can I see photos of the Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies campus?
Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies photos are limited online. The school’s official website (scasonline.com) provides basic program information, and Google Maps street view shows the exterior of the 720 Midland Avenue building. For a genuine look at the campus, an in-person visit during an intake meeting is the most reliable option.
Conclusion
Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies has served Scarborough’s educational landscape since 1986, offering a genuine alternative for students who need something different — whether that means finishing a diploma at 45, learning carpentry as a teenager, or recovering credits after a rough stretch at a conventional school. The school is not for everyone, and it does not pretend to be. It is for people who need flexibility, smaller classes, and a program that bends to their circumstances.
Contact the school directly at (416) 396-6992 or ScarboroughCentre@tdsb.on.ca to ask about the next intake period. Bring your transcripts, your questions, and realistic expectations about what a small alternative school can and cannot offer.
