It could end up being little more than a stay of execution, but there is some hope that a decision by Ontario's Education Ministry could mean there is a future for the province's demonstration schools, including the Amethyst School and the Robarts School For the Deaf in London.
Education minister Liz Sandals announced Wednesday that applications for admission to the schools are being accepted for the 2016-2017 school year.
"We are now resuming the 2016-2017 admissions process for all four demonstration schools. Enrollment at Robarts and CJL Schools for the Deaf will also continue for 2016-2017," says Sandals.
The schools, including London's Amethyst Demonstration School for children with learning disabilities and Robarts School for the Deaf, are under review by the province with many parents fearing they will be closed.
Amethyst accepts a maximum of 42 students per year, Grades 7-10, while Robarts has 25 seniors and 40 elementary students per year. The two schools share a site on Cheapside St.
In February, the province launched a public review of the schools. A letter was sent to applicants on February 29 informing them that applications to the schools were being placed on hold pending the results.
Parents had until April 8 to provide input on the specialized schools. In her statement, Sandals said the consultation process provided the Ministry with "valuable insight." It went on to say a decision on the future of these schools has not yet been made.
NDP Education Critic Lisa Gretzky says the resumption of the application process doesn't go far enough.
"While today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, parents need to know that these schools will be available for the next generation of learners," says Gretzky. "We will continue to stand with parents, families and education workers until this government commits to the long term viability of these schools.”
The 2012 Drummond Report recommended closing all demonstration schools and moving their students to mainstream schools. Ontario has budgeted $87.6-million to run the nine provincial and demonstration schools.
Trillium Demonstration School in Milton, Sagonaska Demonstration School in Belleville, and Centre Jules-Leger in Ottawa are the other three schools under review.