The educational format at The Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning (Penticton EXCEL) differs from that of a typical school. Our students have different needs than neuro-typical students, and our program reflects that difference. Our morning sessions follow BC Ministry of Education curriculum; it is our afternoon wherein the major differences lie.

Each Ministry of Education (designated) special education student in the province of British Columbia follows their own Individual Education Plan (IEP).  These plans include identifying the student's strengths and weaknesses while recognizing their unique disabilities. Our certified teachers develop individualized plans based on our student's IEP's. Because of our small numbers and individualized care, our students are monitored and evaluated daily and their IEP's adjusted accordingly.

We have partnered with the EBUS Academy (in School District 91), which will provide our certified BC Ministry of Education curriculum and teachers beginning in September 2024.

To fully meet the needs of our students, we partner with Counsellors, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech and Language Therapists. These consultants meet with our students to further identify areas of challenge and strength so that we may customize and deliver additional needs-based training.  These plans will typically involve social competency skills training, adaptive skills, and executive function skills, and are implemented during our afternoon sessions by qualified Learning Coaches (some of which may be integrated into morning sessions as well).

 Adaptive skills including how to safely ride public transit, grocery shop, and prepare basic healthy meals will be part of our students' education.

Physical education will also be a part of our afternoon sessions.  Our students will be set up for success in their athletic endeavors, with exposure to individual sports such as golf, swimming, tai chi, paddle boarding, and yoga.  Skaha Lake Park, which lies directly across the street from our learning centre, offers an incredible array of options. 

The Penticton EXCEL program operates from 9 am until 2 pm Monday through Friday, from early September through until late June. Students are charged an annual programming fee ($6500 for the 2023/2024 programming year), which may be paid through Autism Funding (or cash, cheque, credit card or e-transfer).  Our Christmas Break and Spring Break align with those of the Okanagan Skaha School District.

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