Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 14/01) - Until recently, there were few alternatives to conventional school -- you either fit in or dropped out.

The establishment of the Learning on Franklin school provides another choice, a classroom students can tailor their needs.

Chris Marie (left) and Matt Seeton cut the cake during the official opening of Learning on Franklin last Friday. - Richard Gleeson/NNSL photo

"Full-time school was just too much of a workload," said 16-year-old Matt Seeton, among the youngest of 18 students enroled in the new school. "There's not as much stress here."

Three years in the making, the school is located at 4509 Franklin Ave. Learning on Franklin is a co-operative effort of the Yellowknife Catholic and public school boards, as well as Skills Canada NWT/Nunavut.

Students attend the school during hours that are convenient to them and typically take two courses at a time. Curriculums are taken from the Alberta distance education modules.

Though the atmosphere is more laid back than the city's high schools, instructor/co-ordinator Derek Cutler said he's careful not to let it get too relaxed. "I try to make it a place where there's learning happening all the time," said Cutler. "It's not a drop-in centre."

Learning on Franklin goes beyond the classroom. Cutler helps students get part-time jobs. Skills Canada executive director Allyson Stroeder connects them with employers involved in on-the-job training programs. Students who attend the school for more than a month are eligible for a drivers' education course to assist them in getting their licences. All students may attend the Body Works fitness centre for free.

By any measure, it's a pretty good deal. For those responsible for its creation, the best part of the deal is keeping young people in school.

The superintendent of the Yellowknife Catholic School Board said education systems have an obligation to accommodate those who do not fit into conventional schools.

"(Conventional education) is part of what we have to do, but it's not all of what we have to do," said Kern Von Hagen. "We have to offer alternatives."