The traditional high school experience, with its structured bell schedules and uniform classroom settings, has long been the standard, but for a growing number of students, this rigid framework doesn’t align with their individual learning needs or personal circumstances. Recognizing that success is not a one-size-fits-all destination, Elk Island Public Schools has cultivated an alternative pathway through its Next Step outreach program, designed to empower students by placing them at the center of their own educational journey. This innovative model provides a supportive and adaptable environment across three campuses in Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, and Vegreville, offering a compelling alternative for those seeking to thrive outside the conventional system. By fostering a culture of collaboration, responsibility, and personalized guidance, the program is redefining what it means to achieve academic goals, proving that a different path can lead to profound and lasting success for students in grades 8 through 12.
A Framework for Personalized Education
The operational philosophy of Next Step is built on a foundation of empowerment and flexibility, providing students with significant control over their academic programming. Learners collaborate directly with dedicated staff to design attendance and work schedules that accommodate their unique needs, learning pace, and external responsibilities. This model encourages independence while ensuring a strong support system remains in place. A core requirement is that each student meets in person with an instructor at least once a week, creating consistent touchpoints for mentorship, encouragement, and academic guidance. For those who require more intensive support, the option for more frequent meetings is always available. This balance allows students to develop crucial time-management and self-advocacy skills within a structured, safe, and supportive educational setting that respects their individuality and promotes direct engagement with the learning process. The program’s design inherently trusts students to take charge of their education, a responsibility that often fosters a deeper commitment to their own success.
At the heart of the program lies a comprehensive curriculum that ensures every student has equitable access to a high-quality education and a clear path toward graduation. Next Step provides all the core subjects necessary for students to earn a high school diploma or a certificate of achievement, including English language arts, social studies, mathematics, and a full range of science courses. This robust academic offering is further enhanced by a variety of specialized options designed to tailor the educational experience to individual interests and career aspirations. These include diverse language programs that open doors to global communication and valuable work-experience opportunities that allow students to gain practical skills and explore potential career paths. By combining essential academics with customizable electives, Next Step ensures that its flexible model does not compromise on educational rigor. Instead, it creates a dynamic learning environment where students can meet provincial standards while also pursuing their unique passions and preparing for life after high school.
Voices of a Thriving Community
The program’s impact is perhaps best understood through the experiences of those directly involved, from the students discovering their potential to the administrators who champion its mission. For Pressley Eastwood, a Grade 10 student, the transition to Next Step was transformative, enabling her to find a learning rhythm that suited her individual style. She emphasizes the positive and accommodating atmosphere cultivated by the instructors and her peers, describing the environment as kind, warm, and exceptionally flexible. This personal account highlights the program’s success in creating a space where students feel seen, heard, and supported. Eastwood’s experience underscores how a shift away from the traditional classroom structure can alleviate pressure and allow students to focus on genuine learning and personal growth. Her praise for the nurturing community speaks to the program’s core strength: building strong, positive relationships that form the bedrock of academic and personal achievement for every learner.
This student perspective is echoed in the school’s guiding philosophy, as articulated by Principal Barclay Spady. He defines the mission of Next Step as providing a supportive, relationship-based learning environment that acknowledges the diverse journeys students take toward success. The program is fundamentally committed to ensuring that all learners have equitable opportunities to excel, regardless of the challenges they may face in a conventional school setting. Spady’s vision centers on meeting students where they are, both academically and personally, and working collaboratively with them to build a plan that leads to their desired outcomes. This administrative viewpoint reinforces the program’s dedication to more than just academic instruction; it is about fostering a holistic support system. By prioritizing strong connections between staff and students, the school creates an environment of trust and mutual respect where learners feel empowered to overcome obstacles and confidently pursue their educational goals.
The Path Forward
For families and students intrigued by this alternative educational model, opportunities to explore the program firsthand were made available. Next Step hosted a series of open houses in late January and early February 2026, inviting prospective students to visit the campuses, meet the dedicated staff, and gain a deeper understanding of the unique learning environment. These events provided an invaluable forum for asking questions and seeing how the blend of independent work and personalized mentorship functions in practice. The formal registration process for the upcoming school year commenced in February 2026 through the main Elk Island Public Schools registration system. Following this initial step, the experienced staff at Next Step personally contacted each registered student to begin the collaborative process of developing their individual education plans and setting clear, achievable goals for their academic journey ahead.
