The Campbell RIver School District 72 has helped create and fund a new high school program for students in Grades 9-12 this fall to provide up to one semester's worth of high school education on Cortes Island.

Community feedback data collected by the Cortes Community Economic Development Association suggested that no high school options on Cortes has been one of the largest barriers to keeping families on the island and creating a resilient local economy. The Cortes Island Community Foundation, Folk University and other community members of Cortes Island all worked with the SD72 to try and address the lack of high school programming on Cortes with this new program.

The Cortes Island Academy aims to help the students experience the island and simultaneously earn academic credits through hands on learning and a connection to the land. It will run from September to January with four modules that are five weeks each, following secondary schools' quarter model.

Jeff Lontayao, district coordinator for student options and opportunities, has been working with parents and volunteers on Cortes Island to develop this program for local students.

The pilot takes a innovative approach to its structure, putting emphasis on "place-based immersive learning" that considers real world skill sets and isn't afraid to personalize the education. Campbell River students and international students will be able to join in too with homestay programs offering stay with Cortes families. The modules will be available in the 2022-2023 secondary school course offerings.

Listen below to the CKTZ interview with Kiera Takinas, outreach coordinator for Cortes Island Academy, for more details on the program, her experience leaving Cortes Island for high school and how she's helping work on a solution: