The Phoenix Academy is a unique organization where students between the ages of 16 and 21 can catch up, complete any credits required to graduate, or update their education before applying for university. The school is defined by its flexibility, and each student is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
“Everybody deserves to come to a place where they feel welcome, cared for, and to enjoy their time in school,” said Shawn Kohl, the school’s administrative assistant.
“We genuinely care about (our students). That’s the biggest thing,” he said. “If there’s a student in need, even if we can’t help them initially, we try to find a way. We look for whatever resources they need (in order) to help them out.”
This vision has resulted in the school’s adopt-a-student program.
The adopt-a-student program is designed to help the academy’s students in a time of need. “Maybe the students were lacking (a good pair of) shoes or winter attire… or even just (a way) to get to school,” Kohl said. This can include meals such as breakfast, better nutrition, or almost any other necessity.
After a charitable campaign starting in October, Phoenix Academy is now able to provide a banquet to ensure all students experience a Christmas dinner. The adopt-a-student program continues throughout the school year, and this meal is the largest part of the program.
“The adopt-a-student program is a way for us to connect to the public and for the public to connect with our students,” Kohl said. “From there, (the public can) make donations to the school.
“We use (donations) to better serve the students and their needs to help them further their education,” he said. “Everybody deserves an opportunity at education.”
Most of the school’s programming covers material from Grades 10 to 12. Students come from all over Saskatchewan to complete almost any classes required to graduate.
Learning is done through modules. As opposed to traditional schools, students have access to a binder containing a lesson module and can complete that module anywhere in the building at their own pace. Before moving to the next module, each student must complete the current lesson so the material can build on previous lessons.
The school’s flexible approach enables students to learn at their own pace and on their own, varied schedules. This helps new parents, young students who work full time jobs, and students who are either just transferring to Moose Jaw or who may be undergoing any number of distractions at home.
“We can register a student in June, where many schools struggle to do that,” Kohl said, noting that the school also provides breakfast and a lunch.
“If they move here and are a bit behind, we can… catch them back up. We have that flexibility.
“Sometimes they’ve gone though school, graduated, and they’ve done well. Now they’re looking at their next stage of life and they want to go to university, but they say, ‘oh, I don’t have Bio 30.’ We do that as well,” Kohl explained. Students can attend university and Phoenix at the same time.
Kohl said any student under the age of 22 is welcome to drop by and see what the academy can offer, including the creation of a tailored educational plan.
“(A student) may think they need seven (credits to graduate), but they may only need one or two,” he said. “You should see the smile on their face when they see that they only need one or two classes to graduate.
“We’re always here for you, and the door’s always open,” Kohl said.
For more information or to donate to the adopt-a-student program, call 306-694-1289 or visit Phoenix.htcsd.ca. Guests are always welcome to stop by the school to learn more.
The Phoenix Academy is located at 278 Fourth Avenue Northeast and is open Monday to Friday from 8:40 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
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