A brief history of the Flexible Studies program
In 1988, parents began advocating for a high school program modeled from the Sundance Program, an elementary school of choice in SD#61 that had a strong sense of community where classes were multi-aged, and letter grades were not given. Parents wanted to create a high school version of the program that would meet the diverse needs of learners in a way that honoured their individual learning styles and pace while creating opportunities for close working relationships with adults. For three years, parents continued to work on their program vision, finding support from the Greater Victoria School District and a home for this new individualized model that they called the Flexible Studies program at Reynolds Secondary School. The Flexible Studies program was like a school within a school,” and quickly became part of the fabric of the culture and community at Reynolds. Since the beginning, the Flexible Studies program has emphasized service to the community, as well as a focus on achieving students’ individual potentials, both in academics and other pursuits.
Over the last two and a half decades, the program has continued to evolve and has undergone dramatic changes influenced by both internal and external pressures. For example:
Today, Flex remains true to its core philosophy of creating a space for learners who are committed to pursuing their individual potential while connecting with their community, where process is valued as much a the result.
As part of her masters thesis, Natasha Ewing created a timeline of the evolution of Flex up to 2017, which can be found below.
Over the last two and a half decades, the program has continued to evolve and has undergone dramatic changes influenced by both internal and external pressures. For example:
- Reynolds was on a linear timetable, but moved to a semester system in the late 1990s
- Early on, Flex catered to grades 8 through 12 in a self-paced learning environment which attracted many elite athletes who used this structure to supplement their intense training and travel schedules, but was restructured in the mid-2000s due to the implementation of middle schools in SD61.
- The addition of French immersion to Reynolds caused major shifts in how Flexible Studies was structured as a French Immersion option of Flex was added and classes moved away from the self-paced environment and to more teacher-led classes.
- The shift in the direction of the BC Curriculum around 2012 created space for the Flexible Studies program to evolve again into it's current form as a team-teacher led multi-grade classroom weaving together multiple subject areas while learning on the land and with our communities.
Today, Flex remains true to its core philosophy of creating a space for learners who are committed to pursuing their individual potential while connecting with their community, where process is valued as much a the result.
As part of her masters thesis, Natasha Ewing created a timeline of the evolution of Flex up to 2017, which can be found below.