More than 5,500 students enrolled at Sask. Distance Learning Centre

More than 5,500 students from around Saskatchewan are taking advantage of a new online education option.

According to the Ministry of Education, the newly formed Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre – which was first unveiled in December of 2022 – currently has more than 2,000 full-time students and 3,500 part-time students taking more than 16,000 courses.

The online school offers K-12 education, though the ministry noted that most of the part-time students are enrolled in grades 10 to 12.

The students at the centre come from 26 different school divisions, the ministry added, as well as First Nation schools, independent schools, and some post-secondary institutions.

The school is also home to about 145 adult students who are upgrading a course or completing their high school educations.

“It is wonderful to see so many students taking advantage of the opportunities available through online learning,” Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in a statement.

Students at the centre can study online from home, and full-time students can either attend live broadcasts of classes or study at their own pace.

Darren Gasper, the centre’s chief operating officer, said it’s important to offer many different options.

“We know that each of our students is unique and online learning provides the ability for students to explore interests and gain new skills so that they can go on to be successful adults,” Gasper said in a statement.

The ministry said the centre works closely with divisions to ensure students enrolled in the online courses still have access to athletics and arts programs, as well as driver education and graduation ceremonies.

“Full-time online students also have access to a range of services and supports that are typically offered to in-person learners, including psychologists, speech-language pathologists, student support teachers, education assistants and social workers,” the ministry added.

Registration is open for the the centre’s second semester, the ministry said, which begins on Feb. 2 for students in grades 10 to 12.

More information can be found on the centre’s website.