Out of sight, out of MIND

>> Downtown's "alternative" school is being relocated. But where?

by DOMINIQUE RITTER

The "moving in new directions" school will indeed be moving. After months of speculation, MIND high school confirmed last week that it has been asked to leave its present location in the old High School of Montreal building on University. But what remains to be seen is where it will go.

Since 1980, MIND, a high school of about 130 students, has been housed in a small wing of the downtown building occupied by FACE (Fine Arts Core Education). But with the change to linguistic school boards last year came the appropriation of the entire building by the French language school board. FACE, which is managed jointly by the English and French Montreal school boards, will remain in its current location. But MIND, which is managed solely by the English board, must now search for a new home.

Thanks to the 1998 school board restructurings, changes to English-language schools abound. But what makes this case different is the school itself. MIND, for grades 9 through 11, was created in 1975 with the hope of providing students with a school that would permit them to play an active role in the management of their education. Often dubbed an "alternative" school, MIND shuns the more traditional disciplined high school structure in favour of a more democratic approach.

"A lot of academic guidelines are set by the government," explained Françoise Barlier, a French teacher who has been with the school for 22 years. "But under our system, the students count as much as the teachers or parents in decision making. The collaboration between staff and students is very important, as is the small size of the school and the individual approach we take with our students."

MIND is the only school of its kind in English Quebec. Although recent changes to schooling have seen a renewal of uniform wearing and stricter discipline, MIND prefers to help its students develop self-discipline.

"Too much structure makes kids miserable," said Karil Samodai, who graduated from the school in 1987. "At MIND you are responsible for yourself. It is all about you, and it makes you more motivated to become what you want."

The Montreal English School Board was unwilling to disclose any information about MIND's relocation because the issue is still being studied by their long-term planning committee. But the staff of the school has certain guidelines it hopes will be respected by the decision makers.

"What we are asking for is to remain in the downtown milieu because we recruit our students from all over the island," said Barlier. "We're not a community school. People come to us for the philosophy."

Being centrally located is important in terms of access via public transportation, but proximity to museums and the facilities at adjacent McGill University is also critical.

Although the new location has yet to be determined, the administration is not worried about the school's future. "We didn't choose to move, but this building is not necessarily the best for MIND," said Barlier.

"We are not in fear of being closed or anything, so long as parents are interested in sending their kids here," said Sharon Erskine, MIND's head teacher. "We exist to create an option. We are definitely not for everybody but at least we provide a choice."

MIND will be holding an information meeting for new students on Feb. 23 at 7pm at 3449 University. call 842-0792