Membership Plans
We are thrilled to announce that our programming is now supervised by a licensed mental health professional and is eligible to be claimed through OAP, most private insurance, and other funding avenues.
Flourish
Full-Time
$1540/m
For Students in Grades 9–12
Dandelion offers a highly individualized secondary school experience for students who benefit from flexibility, smaller learning environments, meaningful relationships, and alternatives to traditional classroom instruction.
Full-time students may attend up to five days per week during school hours, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each student completes an intake process that helps us understand their strengths, needs, interests, goals, previous learning, and preferred ways of working. This information is used to create an individualized learning plan and weekly schedule.
An Individualized Path to Graduation
There is no single pathway that every Dandelion student must follow. Depending on the student’s goals and learning needs, credits may be earned through:
In-person classes and workshops
Independent and supported study
Large-scale, interdisciplinary projects
Job placements and experiential learning
Community involvement
Other learning opportunities connected to Ontario curriculum expectations
Students also have access to guidance counselling to help them select courses, plan their pathway to graduation, and prepare for post-secondary education, employment, or other next steps.
Academic and Executive-Functioning Support
Our weekly staff team includes two teachers, one educational assistant, and one or two Child and Youth Workers. Staff are available to answer questions, explain concepts, help students locate appropriate resources, and provide support with motivation, time management, task initiation, and prioritization.
Full-time students should be capable of working independently for periods of time. This program does not provide continuous one-to-one academic or behavioural support; however, students are not expected to manage everything alone. Staff provide guidance, encouragement, structure, and practical assistance throughout the school day.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Guest educators and local professionals regularly visit Dandelion to share their knowledge and introduce students to a wide variety of subjects, skills, careers, and experiences.
Full-time tuition also includes access to school excursions, clubs, workshops, community activities, and social events. These experiences are an important part of helping students build confidence, relationships, independence, and a sense of belonging.
Dandelion is also connected with therapists and mental-health professionals in the community. When additional support is needed, families may be able to access services through these professionals at a discounted rate. These external services are arranged separately and are not included in tuition.
For Students in Grades 7–8
Our Grade 7–8 program offers a fully alternative and highly individualized approach to learning. Rather than following the Ontario curriculum as a prescribed program, we help each student strengthen foundational academic skills, explore personal interests, build independence, and prepare for a successful transition into high school.
Grade 7–8 students have access to the same learning environment and opportunities as our high school students, with even greater flexibility. They participate alongside older students in classes, workshops, clubs, excursions, community activities, and social events. This mixed-age model allows natural mentorship to develop, with high school students often providing encouragement, guidance, and positive examples for younger students.
Each student’s program is shaped around their strengths, needs, interests, and goals. Learning may take place through teacher-led instruction, independent study, creative projects, hands-on workshops, experiential learning, and community involvement.
Many of our Grade 8 students choose to continue at Dandelion for high school. Others have successfully transitioned into traditional secondary schools, including competitive specialty programs such as Canterbury’s arts programs and International Baccalaureate programs.
Explore
$240/m
For homeschooled teens (12+) seeking community, connection, and enrichment
Dandelion’s Homeschooling Program gives homeschooled teens a welcoming place to learn, socialize, and become part of a school community while remaining under their family’s homeschool program.
Students may attend during school hours, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They may participate in Dandelion’s classes, workshops, clubs, excursions, and social activities when space is available.
The program allows homeschooled students to experience many of the positive aspects of high school, including learning alongside peers, trying new activities, meeting guest educators, and building meaningful friendships, without enrolling as full-time students.
Students are welcome to bring their own schoolwork and complete it independently at Dandelion. Teachers and staff may answer questions, help students find resources, or provide occasional assistance when available; however, they do not plan, supervise, assess, or assume responsibility for the student’s homeschool program.
The Homeschooling Program does not include:
Ontario secondary school credits
Report cards or transcripts
Individual educational planning
Course selection or graduation planning
Post-secondary guidance
Ongoing individual academic instruction or assessment
Families remain responsible for planning, overseeing, documenting, and evaluating their teen’s homeschool education.
*Please note we have a waitlist for new Explore students. To add your child's name to our list, please email jennifer.graham@thedandelioncafe.org
Specialty Life Skills Program
$2800/m
Students with developmental exceptionalities
Personalized Education Plan
Full support from a certified Developmental Services Worker
Daily Life Skills Classes
Daily Bus Training
Daily Social/Emotional Training
Weekly Employment Training
Access to in-centre Classes and Workshops
Access to support from an Ontario College of Teachers certified teacher
Co-op Opportunities
Preparation and Application support for Post-secondary
Special information about free resources and activities
Social events
20% discount on Special event tickets, tutoring, and Respite Care
*Please note that there are extra costs associated with this specialty program, including but not limited to a monthly bus pass, a grocery budget, and fees for outings and field trips.