After seven years of operating a Christian-oriented primary school in Fort Frances, the Emanuel Christian Academy is planning to offer a high school program starting in September, Pastor Steve Laing said.
The school is based out of the Calvary Tabernacle at 308 Butler Ave., where 12 students presently are enrolled from junior kindergarten to grade eight.
The ECA uses a curriculum which allows students to work at their own pace and in their own “office,” which they are responsible to keep tidy. Each student learns to set up their own goals for the day, and each one’s progress is continually tracked.
Faye Edwards, who heads up the school, said there is a period of adjustment involved when a student transfers to their system but added they soon rise to the challenges.
She also said all benefit from the lower student/teacher ratio, and an individually-prescribed program.
Although Edwards acknowledged they are running close to the capacity of their present facility, the board felt the time is right to make the investment in setting up for high school program.
They are hopeful the new facilities will be coming available before too long. Property is in the west end of Fort Frances.
The format of these new courses will be largely “Computer Video Interactive,” combining computers, CD ROM, and video tapes, all of which will be overseen by live teachers and with regular interaction with the rest of the school.
All classes currently are accepting new enrolments but Edwards advised that pre-school and kindergarten are probably the best places to start students out.