School District No. 35

Every student has different interests, strengths and ways of learning. For some, the best learning experiences happen outdoors in nature, while others thrive in the arts, or through hands-on exploration or in an environment where they’re learning a new language.

In the Langley School District, Choice Programs offer students and families opportunities to explore these interests in ways that extend beyond a traditional classroom approach.

From outdoor education to French Immersion, Montessori and the arts, these offerings provide pathways for students to build skills, have fun, develop confidence and take an active role in their education.

“We want every student to have opportunities to learn in ways that inspire and motivate them,” said Assistant Superintendent Marcello Moino. “When students are engaged in learning that reflects their interests and passions, they are better positioned to build confidence, reach their potential and succeed.”

One of the District’s Choice Programs is the Langley Environmental Awareness Program (LEAP), which is based out of Fort Langley Elementary. LEAP brings students outside to engage with their learning and students in the program – from Kindergarten to Grade 7 – spend part of their week using the great outdoors as their classroom. On Mondays and Tuesdays, class is spent entirely outside in a local park, learning the curriculum through interactions with nature. On Fridays, classes go on nature walks in the Fort Langley area.

Whether it’s literacy, math and science, students learn through nature-based activities, which include journaling, reading outdoors, and for younger grades, learning about the seasons by experiencing them firsthand in local parks and forests.

“The kids learn through the land, and through exploring,” said Grade 1 LEAP teacher Ashley Harder.

The goal, Harder added, is to instill a love and respect for nature in each student.

“We hope that our LEAP students build a sense of community, build authentic connections with nature, enjoy their experiences with nature and become stewards of the land, share their experiences with others and become members of the world and public that are caring and connecting with nature,” she said.

Any student in the District can register for a Choice Program, but to ensure equity, a lottery process is undertaken for Kindergarten entry into a program. Choice Program registration opened earlier this month and closes at noon on Oct. 26.

Intake for the U-Connect program occurs throughout the year. Some programs, including LEAP and U-Connect, require families to attend an information session to learn about the program, hear about expectations, and get the information needed to ensure the program is right for their family.

For information on Choice Program Registration, click here.

For more on the District’s choice programs, go to the District’s Find a Program webpage and under the ‘Subject’ filter, choose ‘Choice.’