We were waiting until an elementary school closed in the downtown area. The new location is cleaner, has access to major bus routes and the benefit of the attached community centre, which includes an indoor ice rink and a large gymnasium. The centre also has a pottery studio to serve the large number of artistic students, as well as a woodworking shop. Students in the secondary program start with a life skills course and some co-op education. This helps them discover what they want to do in life.
Students focus on one course at a time and work at their own pace.
It usually takes six to seven weeks to finish a course. I like that I can work at my own pace and there are no deadlines. St. Onge is working on a Grade 10 English course presently. When she graduates, she hopes to be a fashion designer or an interior decorator. The program is less structured than a regular school.