Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing and customized learning space while empowering the transition to wellness as our students' journey towards graduation and beyond.

 Program Overview:

CLC – Customized Learning Centre Program and Purpose

CLC is an alternate education program serving students in grades 9-12 with significant mental health challenges who require a more personalized approach to learning. We offer a structured yet flexible school day from 9:10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with smaller class sizes that allow for more time with teachers and individualized supports.

Intensive support is provided for social-emotional needs.  Ongoing collaboration between students, families/caregivers, community agencies is a key feature of this program.

Students engage in a combination of self-paced learning and direct instruction, tailored to meet their unique needs and goals. While schedules are flexible, we encourage full-day attendance to help students build routine and consistency.

Our focus extends beyond academics—we prioritize attendance, emotional resilience, and real-world skills that prepare students for life beyond high school. Our ultimate goal is to support students in graduating from CLC and moving toward a successful and fulfilling future.

Eligibility and referral procedures to CLC:

Referrals to CLC: Customized Learning Center referrals are initiated by a student's home school administrator contacting the CLC Principal.  Students coming from out of district must contact Ms. Susan Ross, District Principal by phone at 604-937-8105 (Ext 105) or by email at suross@sd43.bc.ca.  Priority is given to students currently registered in School District #43, Coquitlam and all referrals are considered through school-based team processes and CLC intake procedures.

The Customized Learning Centre (CLC) is located at Vanier Centre at 1600 King Albert St, Coquitlam, BC

How do students get in to CLC?

Students can only be referred ​by their home school in SD43. 

Criteria for referrals include:

• Will be in Grades 9 through 12 this September
  

• ​Have been unsuccessful in the mainstream school setting largely due to MH concerns (anxiety and depression) despite interventions such as counseling, learning assistance or Choices

• Have internalizing rather than externalizing behaviours, as students with externalizing behaviours can damage group dynamics and reduce feelings of safety

• Be “group ready” - ready and/or willing to participate in group check-ins and discussions

• Have adequate motivation, cognitive ability, and insight to learn new ways of coping​
  

• Be willing to attend every day to the best of their abilities

• Ideally, be already connected to a mental health professional who can help to facilitate their transitions to and from the program
  

Tony, our PADS dog

The CLC program is very fortunate to have Tony the PADS dog.  This friendly, gentle and very loving PADS dog has been in our program for a whole year now.  Students enjoy hanging out with him, giving him a pat, and just soaking up his calming effect.