Nine communities selected for new online school’s regional campuses

Students joining Saskatchewan’s new online school in the fall will be able to connect with teachers locally in 10 communities around the province.

The Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation (SDLC) is set to launch this fall, offering virtual K-12 education to full- and part-time students, as well as adults working to complete their high school education.

In addition to the main campus and office in Kenaston, the Ministry of Education said nine regional campuses will be established in Estevan, La Ronge, Moose Jaw, Neilburg, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Swift Current and Yorkton.

“Students will have the option to receive support virtually or in person from these regional campuses,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a statement.

The SDLC will work collaboratively with school boards around the province, the ministry said.

“Students will register with the new school and then be connected to their local school division, which will provide tuition to the SDLC,” the ministry explained in a statement.

“School divisions, together with the SDLC, will provide local support for students such as educational assistants, speech-language pathologists and counsellors. School divisions will also provide student activities such as driver’s license training, graduation ceremonies and extra-curricular activities including arts and sports.”

Darren Gasper, who’s currently seconded from Sun West School Division, will serve as the SDLC’s CEO, the ministry said, bringing 27 years of experience in education to the new project.

Student registration for the new online school is expected to begin in April, the ministry said. Recruitment for positions at the main office in Kenaston and the nine regional campuses will begin next month.