Vancouver school board lets you complete high school at 100 hours per course

Adrian Keough, the Vancouver school board’s district principal, specialty programs, is in the business of changing people’s lives. That’s because his department deals with 5,000 people (mostly adults) per year seeking to take high-school courses at five locations: the Gathering Place, South Hill Education Centre, Kiwassa Youth Program, Canucks Family Education Centre in Britannia secondary, and Gladstone secondary, which is home to the Main Street Education Centre.

Fall classes begin on September 6 and Keough advises people to phone the board of education’s main number (604-713-5000) as early as possible.

“The usual first step is to come in and you meet an adviser to set an educational plan for the year,” Keough told the Straight by phone.

Some may be required to take a placement test in English and math. Those without a high-school diploma can enroll for free, regardless of their age, though they must pay a small administrative fee.

Courses are offered mornings, afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays, as well as on a daily, weekly, twice-weekly, and self-paced basis. “Every course is 100 hours,” Keough said. “We recommend weekly contact [with instructors], but sometimes people may be unavailable for three weeks, which is fine.”