This article appeared in the Vermilion Standard and Vermilion Voice.

The Vermilion Outreach School is a choice for high school students who have not had success in a regular school. This simple description of our school does not reflect the variety of reasons that people would choose to attend VOS. Outreach schools were formed in the province over ten years ago in order to provide a way for students who have left the school system to complete their high school requirements. During a recent conference, many Outreach teachers have commented how our student population has changed.

Currently Vermilion Outreach has almost fifty students registered. About two thirds of these students are full time students. These students are taking all of their courses at our school. There are many reasons why a student would choose Vermilion Outreach. Vermilion is fortunate to have four high schools, each with unique strengths and each family chooses the school they feel is best for their child.

Students who choose Vermilion Outreach find our flexible scheduling, smaller facility and independent learning program with one-on-one support a good fit. The remaining students are considered part time. Students in Alberta are eligible to attend high school as long as they are nineteen years old as of September 1st. This allows students time to improve their high school transcripts. We are certainly seeing a rise in the number of students who have finished high school but are returning to upgrade marks or have realized they need different courses for their postsecondary plans. A part time student may be taking courses at another school and are coming to Vermilion Outreach to pick up a course that did not fit in their timetable. Other part time students are balancing work or family commitments.