A new learning experience at Algoma School District is accepting enrollment for the upcoming school year. The Algoma Venture Academy is a public charter school within the district for kids entering 7 through 12. Instead of the traditional classroom setting, Algoma Venture Academy students will be engaged in project-based learning and will be assessed based on competency exams and a portfolio. The academy was born out of the Live Algoma initiative that has seen the concept of community-based learning take the spotlight. Algoma School District Director of Improvement and Community Engagement Teal Van Lanen says many of its students wanted to get engaged in the real world while still earning credit.  She adds that many of them want to build on what they already know and put it to good use in the community.

Enrollment began earlier this week and will be limited to 40 students in its first year. Van Lanen says Algoma Venture Academy students will still be able to ride the bus, eat lunch, and participate in extracurricular activities with their peers in the traditional setting.

More information on the Algoma Venture Academy can be found here