Its original teachers included Ellen Dorfman, Brian Taylor, and David Clyne who all came from Deer Park Senior Public school in a program called Spectrum.
Due to intense parental lobbying of the TDSB the school was later created.
The program focused on highly motivated students who wished to work independently.
Its current alternative status arises largely from the small and intimate class sizes, which are represented by about 30 students per the two grades.
Although Spectrum Alternative is a public school within the TDSB, prospective students must undergo an application process to be admitted.