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Programs

Our programs at Cowichan Valley Open Learning work with all our Cowichan Valley School District programs to create learning environments that support home learning families.

CVAS

Alternate Program

Cowichan Valley’s School District runs its Alternate Program from CVOLC.

From the Ministry of Education

Policy Statement

Alternate education programs focus on educational, social and emotional issues for students whose needs are not being met in a traditional school program. An alternate education program provides its support through differentiated instruction, specialized program delivery and enhanced counselling services based on students’ needs.

Rationale or purpose of policy

Students who attend alternate education programs are often the most vulnerable population in the school system. Alternate education programs have disproportionate numbers of children and youth in care, Aboriginal students, children and youth living in poverty or the street, gifted children who have difficulty in social situations, children and youth involved in drugs, alcohol and the sex trade, and youth with mental health concerns. Alternate education programs offer an opportunity for these vulnerable and at-risk students to experience success.

Is Open Learning For You?

  • Do you want to attend a school with smaller classes and more personalized learning?
  • Do you want to return and catch up at school?
  • Do you want to get prerequisites for college or earn certificate courses to help you get a job?
  • Do you work part-time while completing school?
  • Do you have small children and need daycare while you attend school?

If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, please contact us. 

For childcare information please call  Growing Together (250) 748-9754

Open Learning Options

Students have many options at Cowichan Valley Open Learning including:

  • Grove (Distributed Learning k-12)
  • Cowichan Valley Alternate Programs
    • CVOLC: Grades 10 – 12
    • CVAS: Grades 8 & 9’s
    • Take a Hike: Grades 10 – 12
    • House of Friendship classroom
  • Cowichan Performing Arts Academy

Each Program consists of a full time teacher and student support worker and can be created to suit each student.  Ask about these opportunities at your intake meeting!

About Cowichan Valley Open Learning

Our programs at Cowichan Valley Open Learning work with all our Cowichan Valley School District programs to create learning environments that support home learning families.

We know that learning can take place anywhere and any time and does not need to fit into the rigid timelines of a traditional classroom. By accessing places and spaces that focus on the personalization and the flexible structure of the curriculum, a student can lead their learning in programs unique to their strengths and interests. No two students in the Cowichan Valley School District will graduate with a program that looks the same.

CVOLC at a Glance.

  • Part-time / full-time programs
  • Continuous entry
  • Child Care on site – newborn to 5 years old
  • Upgrading to Grade 10
  • Academic and Elective Grade 10, 11 & 12 courses
  • Full graduation with graduation ceremony and banquet
  • Certificate courses and workshops for job entry skills
  • Work experience program and placements available for all students
  • Access to ACE IT and secondary school apprenticeship, college level programs and career technical centres
  • Breakfast and lunch programs
  • Small classes with caring teachers
  • Advisor program
  • Individualized and group learning
  • Scheduled classes, self-paced and computer directed learning available
  • Referral from the secondary schools
  • Self referral
  • Returning to school after an extended absence
  • Cultural Activities

Programs that CVOLC offers:

Cowichan Valley Alternate School

Now located at CVOLC, CVAS offers a multifaceted program for students in grades 8 and 9.

It includes academics (individualized); a work program which promotes work habits and work skills through actual project work; exploratory learning through IDS opportunities; outdoor recreation and a foods program which includes planning, shopping and preparation of nutritional meals. CVAS is for students struggling socially, emotionally and/or behaviorally in traditional schools.