The past few years have been a time of tremendous growth for both our staff and students as we continue to strengthen our online schooling system. Just last year, I spoke with a student who was looking for a change. They felt it was time to step back from their current path and explore new opportunities. After joining Summit, they quickly realized how this form of learning opened doors to new possibilities. They shared with me how Summit helped bring order to their daily routine, and soon they became an integral part of our student body. They moved forward with newfound confidence into the next chapter of their life.
One key advantage of online learning is that it requires students to organize their lives and adhere to a plan. While we offer scheduled classes, students must find the motivation to show up consistently. Over time, they begin to understand the importance of managing their time wisely. As they navigate the challenges of balancing distractions and staying motivated, something remarkable happens—they begin to take ownership of their learning. This sense of ownership, coupled with the ability to take risks and follow through on commitments, equips students with essential skills for the next stages of life. These valuable lessons are deeply rooted in our online learning environment.
Another trend we’ve observed at our school is the flexibility students have in pacing their learning. Some students may fall behind or need to accelerate their coursework for various reasons. Online schooling allows them to either fast-track or slow down their progress, depending on their individual needs. As a school, our primary focus is helping students take the next step in their journey. Many of our students have shared that they feel well-prepared for post-secondary education. They highlight not only the academic rigor at Summit but also how they learned to evaluate their daily habits and future goals, building resilience that will serve them well beyond school.
As you review the survey results in this document, I encourage you to keep in mind that our approach is based on invitation. As such, our data may vary from year to year. One example is our Alberta Education graduation metric. While we had our largest graduating class to date, these numbers do not fully reflect the individual paths our students take. Some students, though 18 years of age and lacking the credits to graduate, decide to attend Summit Trails to help them prepare for post-secondary programs that do not require a diploma. While we strive to see every student earn a diploma, our ultimate goal is to prepare them for their future, meeting them where they are and supporting them as they move forward.
David Smith
Principal
Email: davidsmith@rockyview.ab.ca
403-945-4197 ext. 7070