An innovative Rossland learning centre sees huge interest in digital education

Providing a fun, rewarding and challenging learning experience for students is the focus at Seven Summits Centre for Learning in Rossland. — Photo courtesy Seven Summits Centre for Learning

After weeks of navigating the art of online schooling, it seems there may be relief in sight for both parents and students. On May 6, British Columbia premier John Horgan announced the province’s plan for a gradual reopening of businesses, including the eventual return to school.

According to a CBC article, “School districts across B.C. are drafting plans to reopen, with teachers returning to classrooms as early as next week in some parts of the province.”

But in a post-pandemic world, will education be quite the same? With the issue of safety for both educators and students at the forefront of many people’s minds, the idea of continuing education via a digital learning environment is generating much hype.

In Rossland, the Seven Summits Centre for Learning is thriving as local parents and high school students look for a future-proof solution designed to meet their current and longer term educational needs. By blending traditional, face-to-face learning in physical classrooms with pioneering virtual ones, it’s been business as usual for the 40+ high school students who attend the facility.

The Seven Summits Centre for Learning follows the B.C Ministry of Education curriculum and is fully supported by certified teachers. With small class sizes and the ability to offer both blended and 100 per cent virtual classrooms as conditions dictate, the centre offers a rewarding, supportive and fun learning environment.

“It’s hard to replace the magic of a well-run classroom, and, like all schools, we’re missing the joy and buzz that go hand-in-hand with in-person learning,” said Ann Quarterman, operations manager at Seven Summits Centre for Learning. “But we’re in a strong position to provide an alternative, flexible and future-proof solution which gives families one less thing to worry about.”

In the new normal we are all facing, the future of education continues to evolve and for many students may involve a mix of in-classroom and virtual learning styles.

Said Quarterman, “We really don’t know what the future landscape of education will look like but the flexibility inherent in our system means that Rossland has a great resource right on its doorstep.”