Stepping in the door at the Drumheller Outreach School, located on Centre Street, you’ll find books and students.
The school, operated by Golden Hills School Division, offers alternative education for adults and students to upgrade or obtain credits to further their education.
The Outreach School provides a place, not only for education, but for support and individual guidance to help students achieve their goals. The school offers interaction with other students with similar life experiences.
When a student first arrives to the centre, the first process is an individual assessment with a teacher to find out what the needs and goals of the student are in order to achieve success through the centre.
“Fostering a life plan, it's not just about high school education, but life skills as well,” said Jen Paulger, a teacher for the Outreach School.
The benefit for students enrolled in the program is the personal academic education that allows the student to work at their own pace with flexible hours.
Paulger told inSide Drumheller, “Some students will come to school in the morning at 8 a.m. till lunch then work in the afternoon.”
In some cases work experience maybe be considered for credit towards education.
The Alberta Goverment offers grants for adult students over the age of 21 that will help them further their academic education.
For mothers, there is a baby area at the centre so it makes it easier for them to further their education.
There were 12 students enrolled on the first day, and there is no limit of space to accommodate future students.
The calendar year for the Outreach School is the same as other Golden Hills School Division Schools but hours of operation are mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
On September 16 the Outreach School will be holding an open house from 9 a.m. to noon and everyone is welcome to attend.