School District 22 Alternate Programs are comprised of three different alternate programs to meet a variety of students’ needs; The Vernon Alternate Programs consist of The ALPs program (Vernon), Crossroads Learning Center (Lumby), and The Open Door Education Center (Vernon). Our sites are located on the unceded territory of the Okanagan/Syilx Nation.
Alternate programs allow an opportunity for students whose needs are not being met in a traditional school to have a second chance at their education. The smaller class sizes, lower student-teacher ratio, individualized, self-paced programming, enhanced services and focused programing on social-emotional learning and regulation provide our students with the supports they need.
Collectively the programs serve approximately 90 students from grade eight to grade twelve and 120 adult learners wanting to work toward graduation or to upgrade courses for post-secondary entrance or career advancement. Student success is focused through a collaboratively designed personalized student learning plan for every student. The plans are created with student input to ensure they align with personal educational goals and re-engagement in their education and learning.
Our mission is “to create opportunities for flexible learning and personal growth in safe, inclusive communities”.
School Mission Statement
To create opportunities for flexible learning and personal growth in safe, inclusive communities.
School Wide Goals/Inquiry
Increase Student Engagement
1. ALP Goal – to increase student engagement and foster a positive sense of community
2. CrossRoads Goal – to increase student engagement and create a positive sense of community
3. The Open Door Goal – to boost ALT student engagement by actively promoting increased attendance at The Open Door
Our programs offer individualized learning plans for our students. This personalization allows for success and for individual students’ needs to be addressed. We aim to provide a space where students can experience the educational process in a supportive and positive environment.
We offer:
*Self-paced and specialized class instruction through online and paper based curriculum with flexible hours and programs
*Small class sizes
*Personal growth and individual responsibility is stressed
*Enhanced support services based on individual needs
*Grade 8 -12 courses using either paper-based curriculum OR computer guided instruction combined with direct one on one and small group teaching support by specialist teachers
*Elective opportunities for students to gain graduation credits
Overall Areas of Success:
*Good implementation of social-emotional programming
*Greater course completion rates with linear options
*Self-referral process often equals greater success in program (as opposed to district placement). Supports students who have anxiety related mental health concerns
*Blended program options (e.g., Gateway & Employ) support students’ success in real life work experiences and training
*Multiple options for success based on individual needs (ALT programs have the capacity to make this happen)
How can we increase student engagement? Research points to the need for structure and flexibility in the ‘school’ and self-paced, personalized learning opportunities.
*Provide structure but allow necessary room for flexibility and individualized education
*Allow students the opportunity to be in school for longer hours each day
*Provide alternate students’ choice – packaged/paper-based curriculum or online courses
*Provide opportunities for elective cohorts and hands-on learning opportunities
*Support the mental health of our students
*Ensure equity of access to learning opportunities and supports – school counsellor and food/lunch program
*Build and develop culturally significant learning opportunities
School District 22 Alternate Programs are comprised of three different alternate programs to meet a variety of students’ needs; The Vernon Alternate Programs consist of The ALPs program (Vernon), Crossroads Learning Center (Lumby), and The Open Door Education Center (Vernon). Our sites are located on the unceded territory of the Okanagan/Syilx Nation.
Alternate programs allow an opportunity for students whose needs are not being met in a traditional school to have a second chance at their education. The smaller class sizes, lower student-teacher ratio, individualized, self-paced programming, enhanced services and focused programing on social-emotional learning and regulation provide our students with the supports they need.
Collectively the programs serve approximately 90 students from grade eight to grade twelve and 120 adult learners wanting to work toward graduation or to upgrade courses for post-secondary entrance or career advancement. Student success is focused through a collaboratively designed personalized student learning plan for every student. The plans are created with student input to ensure they align with personal educational goals and re-engagement in their education and learning.
Our mission is “to create opportunities for flexible learning and personal growth in safe, inclusive communities”.
School Mission Statement
To create opportunities for flexible learning and personal growth in safe, inclusive communities.
School Wide Goals/Inquiry
Increase Student Engagement
1. ALP Goal – to increase student engagement and foster a positive sense of community
2. CrossRoads Goal – to increase student engagement and create a positive sense of community
3. The Open Door Goal – to boost ALT student engagement by actively promoting increased attendance at The Open Door
Our programs offer individualized learning plans for our students. This personalization allows for success and for individual students’ needs to be addressed. We aim to provide a space where students can experience the educational process in a supportive and positive environment.
We offer:
*Self-paced and specialized class instruction through online and paper based curriculum with flexible hours and programs
*Small class sizes
*Personal growth and individual responsibility is stressed
*Enhanced support services based on individual needs
*Grade 8 -12 courses using either paper-based curriculum OR computer guided instruction combined with direct one on one and small group teaching support by specialist teachers
*Elective opportunities for students to gain graduation credits
Overall Areas of Success:
*Good implementation of social-emotional programming
*Greater course completion rates with linear options
*Self-referral process often equals greater success in program (as opposed to district placement). Supports students who have anxiety related mental health concerns
*Blended program options (e.g., Gateway & Employ) support students’ success in real life work experiences and training
*Multiple options for success based on individual needs (ALT programs have the capacity to make this happen)
How can we increase student engagement? Research points to the need for structure and flexibility in the ‘school’ and self-paced, personalized learning opportunities.
*Provide structure but allow necessary room for flexibility and individualized education
*Allow students the opportunity to be in school for longer hours each day
*Provide alternate students’ choice – packaged/paper-based curriculum or online courses
*Provide opportunities for elective cohorts and hands-on learning opportunities
*Support the mental health of our students
*Ensure equity of access to learning opportunities and supports – school counsellor and food/lunch program
*Build and develop culturally significant learning opportunities
Data Summary
Data Summary
Scanning
Numeracy/Literacy Assessments
Student Survey Results
Academic Achievement
Scanning
Numeracy/Literacy Assessments
Numeracy:
-Provide workshops to help students prepare for the provincial numeracy assessment
Results
Literacy:
-Provide workshops to help students prepare for the provincial literacy assessment
Results
Student Survey Results
Please see the 2020/21 data from our ALP student survey on this link.
At School, how many adults do you feel care about you….I feel safe at school….I feel like I belong…..
Please see the 2020/21 data from our Open Door student survey on this link.
The Open Door Survey Results
“I love every single one. They’re my family in a sense.”
“The staff is great at understanding how to accommodate my issues and accomplish my goals”
“Even if they are not one of my teachers, the adults at open door talk to me and will help me regardless.”
“Supportive, caring, patient and kind.”
3. What are the highlights and/or personal successes from your year at the Open Door? What could we do to make things better?
“My maturity. My grades. And honestly the connections I’ve made with staff and students.
This school is perfect. Period. 😊”
“The open door system provides students with excellent support, and from my experiences there isn’t anything I’d change.”
Please see the 2020/21 data from our CrossRoads student survey on this link.
CrossRoads Survey Results
Academic Achievement
Course Completions
CrossRoads Course Completion
*9 out of 11 students improved their course completion by attending CrossRoads
*On average, students improved their course completion by two times
The Open Door Course Completions
2019/2020 | 2020/2021 |
200 | 118 |
*Approximately 21 Students graduate each year
ALP Course Completions
2019-2020 | 2020-2021 |
84 | 37 |
Focusing
Alternate Program Goals
Teacher Led Development
Focusing
Alternate Program Goals
We will continue the focus of engagement into the 2021-22 school year.
ALP
Goal 1: to increase student engagement and foster a positive sense of community
Goal 2: Incorporate Indigenous learning into our school in order to enhance a safe, welcoming school culture
*At ALP we plan to add an additional school goal for the 2021/22 school year. We are adding this goal in order to build on the success of our partnership with Frank Marchand and the canoe carving.
CrossRoads
Goal: to increase student engagement and create a positive sense of community
The Open Door
Goal: to boost ALT student engagement by actively promoting increased attendance at The Open Door
Teacher Led Development
-School based pro-d sessions around improving student engagement
-DL conferences
-Social-emotional workshop and training
Developing a Hunch
Student Engagement
Developing a Hunch
Student Engagement
Increasing Student Engagement
Research has found that programs that prove to be the most effective include multiple support strategies. The most promising including – case management, mentorship, relationships and a sense of belonging, social and academic engagement strategies, and individualized support
Learning
Our Focus
Learning
Our Focus
We will continue to focus on increasing engagement into the 2021-22 school year as the COVID pandemic had a greater impact on our at-risk learners. Many proposed/planned engagement opportunities were not possible under current ECP guidelines.
Taking Action
Learning Goals
Taking Action
Learning Goals
ALP Goal – to increase student engagement and foster a positive sense of community
*Implement daily social emotional learning lessons/discussions
*Implement bi-weekly elective courses
*Start Family Fridays
*Prioritize student social and emotional well being
CrossRoads Goal – to increase student engagement and create a positive sense of community
*Provide volunteer opportunities in community (ie. Food bank)
*Provide elective opportunities to students
The Open Door Goal – to boost ALT student engagement by actively promoting increased attendance at The Open Door
*Staff will reach out to those ALT students who aren’t attending and/or working on a regular basis
*ALT students who aren’t attending and working on a consistent basis will be invited in to work with
*Schedule morning and afternoon subject area support – math/science and humanities