Tag Archives: Experiential Learning

Education

Why media like the Cortes Island Academy

A tiny education program on Cortes has been getting a lot of media attention lately.

“We were featured on the National Observer with our local journalism initiative reporter, Rochelle Baker.  She did a fabulous piece on this program that was picked up by the Vancouver Sun and then was picked up by some Vancouver radio stations and by the CBC. So as nearby as Cortes Currents and as now far away as the reach of CBC,” explained Manda Aufochs Gillespie, one of the organizers of the Cortes Island Academy.

Continue reading Why media like the Cortes Island Academy →
Education

Students, instructors enthusiastic about early stages of Cortes Island Academy pilot program

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Students and instructors are happy with the first semester of a pilot program for senior high school students on Cortes Island. The Cortes Island Academy is the brainchild of parents on the island, where teenagers in grades 10, 11 and 12 had to either be homeschooled or leave to complete their high school education prior to this school year.

The Academy launched this past September. The school year is based on a semester system consisting of four blocks, each lasting four to five weeks: Outdoor Adventure & Leadership; Marine Ecology; Creative Tools For Truth Telling; and Film Making.

Continue reading Students, instructors enthusiastic about early stages of Cortes Island Academy pilot program →
Education

Small B.C. island floats new model of rural education

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporters

A tiny B.C. island is charting a new course for rural education to keep families from abandoning the community to ensure their kids can attend high school. 

This fall, the Cortes Island community and School District 72 are piloting a half-year of public high-school programming shaped by students’ interests, community expertise and the surrounding environment, said Manda Aufochs Gillespie, one of the project’s organizers. 

Continue reading Small B.C. island floats new model of rural education →
Education

Cortes Island high school pilot program sees successful start

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Editor’s Note: Manda Aufochs-Gillespie is the host of Folk-U, one of the programs on Cortes community radio CKTZ.

The Cortes Island Academy has launched its debut semester for high school students and administrators say the school year is off to a good start.

Continue reading Cortes Island high school pilot program sees successful start →
Education

Folk U Radio: The Cortes Academy brings High School Programming to the island

[From the Archives: Mar 4, 2022]

Could it be true? What does it mean? How can my kids or I participate/help/get involved? Jeff Lontayao, District Coordinator of Student Options and Opportunities, Rhonda Teramura, Homestay Coordinator, join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss the Cortes Island Academy and what this innovative high school program means for the Cortes Island community.

Continue reading Folk U Radio: The Cortes Academy brings High School Programming to the island →