The Centre for Alternative and Virtual Education (the CAVE) is an alternative school that provides high school courses in an informal, friendly and flexible learning environment. The CAVE is staffed by a coordinator, five teachers and two support staff.
It offers all core courses in Grades 10, 11 and 12, as well as Work Experience, Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), Dual Credit and CTS.
The CAVE primarily serves students in high school, as well as adult learners; students 19 years of age or younger are funded through Alberta Education/Government of Canada; students older than 19 years old age are able to take courses through the CAVE at a cost per credit. Students in Grade 7-9 can be considered for placement at the CAVE upon the recommendation of the Superintendent.
The CAVE is somewhat different from other schools in structure, scheduling and culture as well as in clientele. Students who attend the CAVE do so because they need or desire greater flexibility within, and control over, their educational programming. The school serves a very heterogeneous group of students, from those who struggle to those who wish to accelerate their program. CAVE graduates go to university, college, or enter the workforce just like any other school's students.
Some typical examples of CAVE students include:
- Students who are working full-time but wish to continue to work towards their high school diploma;
- Students who need a flexible learning schedule to meet personal and work commitments;
- Students who find better success working independently;
- Students who wish to accelerate their high school program;
- Expectant moms or young parents;
- Students who need to upgrade their marks/courses for post-secondary admittance;
- Students who cannot attend school because of medical reasons;
- Students with passions (athletes, artists, entrepreneurs) that lead them beyond the confines of classrooms;
- At-risk students.
The CAVE runs an Outreach Program and Virtual Program.
What is the Outreach Program?
Outreach programs operate outside of the traditional school environment. Alberta Education requires that outreach schools operate in stand-alone sites.
Outreach students register directly at the CAVE and attend classes at the CAVE. With teacher assistance, Outreach students:
- build their own individualized programs from Alberta Education-approved distance learning and locally designed materials;
- set their own long and short-term goals in order to complete the requirements for a high school diploma;
- work independently or in small groups at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Instruction is provided through a variety of methods, including:
- small group instruction;
- one-on-one instruction;
- online instruction.
During the 2018-19 school year, 76 students attended the Outreach Program at the CAVE; 15 attended in person on a regular basis, and many others worked from home and came in for teacher assistance as needed and to take tests.
What is the Virtual Program?
The Virtual Program serves students from all Aspen View Public Schools who are experiencing timetable conflicts or shortfalls in their graduation or post-secondary requirements. Virtual students remain registered in their community schools throughout the division, and use the CAVE courses to supplement what is being offered in the schools. Virtual students attend classes at their community schools and communicate with the teachers at the CAVE virtually.
Instruction is provided through:
- primarily online instruction;
- occasionally, the Virtual teachers will schedule face-to-face meetings with the Virtual students and will travel to the students’ schools to provide one-on-one support.
During the 2018-19 school year, approximately 300 students participated in the Virtual Program.