Lady Evelyn Alternative School

Lady Evelyn Alternative Public School is an alternative JK-6 public school in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
History
Lady Evelyn Alternative School was first opened in 1905 to serve the children of Archville, also known as Ottawa East (and now as Old Ottawa East). The original four-room school was 66 by 43 feet and was built with a budget of $10,000. The Governor General of Canada, Lord Grey, officiated at the opening on October 25th, 1905 and so the school was renamed after his daughter, Lady Evelyn Grey. Although the school has been rebuilt since then, the original corner stone with the name "Ottawa East Public School" still survives and is on display on the right side of the front door.
By the mid 1980s, the school population had shifted and Lady Evelyn Public School was in danger of being shut down. In response, some parents, educators and community leaders worked to set up an "Alternative" school with modern teaching concepts radically different from the typical school. And so was born Lady Evelyn Primary Alternative School (JK - Grade 3), the first "Alternative" school in Ottawa.
By 1991, the old building was showing its age and was no longer safe for students. The current building was built and opened in 1992 on the same ground as the old building. With an expanded playground, due to the acquisition of two adjacent properties, and added grades 4 through 6.
In 2009/2010 the school was at risk losing it's "Alternative" designation because of a schoolboard initiated program review which had recommended ending the alternative program. But due to a grassroots campaign, organized by students, and facilitated by parents and other volunteers, Lady Evelyn was able to maintain it's alternative philosophy and principles.
Program
Lady Evelyn operates as one of five JK-6 and one grade 7-8 Alternative Schools in Ottawa.

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