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 prescribed 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 his or her 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 lesson 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 North Island Distance Education School (NIDES), which will provide our certified BC Ministry of Education curriculum and teacher.

To fully meet the needs of our students, we partner with Behavior Consultants, Occupational Therapists, and Speech and Language Therapists.  These consultants meet with our students to further identify areas of deficit and strength so that we may customize and deliver additional needs-based training.   These plans will typically involve social skills training, self-help skills, and executive function skills, and are implemented during our afternoon sessions by qualified Behaviour Interventionists and Special Education Assistants (some of which may be integrated into morning sessions as well).

Life 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.  Our Christmas Break and Spring Break align with those of the Okanagan Skaha School District.

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