How It Works
At Apex WILDE High School, we offer a holistic, student-centered educational journey that integrates personalized planning, experiential learning, and principles of positive developmental psychology.
Flexible Enrollment Options
All programs are designed to cultivate resilience, leadership, and personal growth, allowing students to thrive in a supportive, dynamic environment.
We offer several flexible enrollment pathways to meet the diverse needs of our students:
Full Time
- 3 to 5 days per week at the Kimbercote campus
- 1:1 coaching and mentorship
- Flexible schedule designed to optimize fun, learning, lifestyle, and extracurriculars
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma issued by Apex Academy (Ministry BSID 885063)
Part Time
- No minimum requirement for in-person attendance
- 1:1 coaching and mentorship
- Can be integrated with a traditional school (students can do both)
- Flexible schedule supporting lifestyle balance
- Diploma issued by student's "home" high school; Apex WILDE credits can be transferred
Semester-based
- Attend for a full semester: Fall/Winter or Winter/Spring
- Option to switch to online learning during travel or while living abroad
- 1:1 coaching and mentorship
- Flexible schedule with focus on holistic learning and life experience
Summer Credits
- 6-week summer program (220 hours) offering up to 2 high school credits
- Expedition-based learning located at remote and spectacular wilderness basecamps
- Combines academics with adventure—canoeing, hiking, and hands-on field study
- Emphasizes resilience, leadership, collaboration, and environmental stewardship
- A unique way to earn credits, build friendships, and have a ton of fun over the summer
The Process
Program Flow
Here's how we tailor the educational experience to each student.
Start-Up Meetings with Mentor Educator
Before the school year begins, students meet with their assigned Mentor Educator — typically during the summer. These meetings help build a strong, supportive relationship among the student, mentor, and family. During this time, students:
- Begin the initial stages of their Student Strategic Plan (SSP)
- Explore goals and learning preferences
- Review available courses and select their schedule
This early engagement ensures students feel welcomed, supported, and well-prepared for the year ahead.
Semester Kickoff with a Wilderness Expedition
(For Full-Time and Semester-Based Students)
Each semester begins with a challenging and rewarding Wilderness Expedition, inspired by Outward Bound methodologies. Through activities like canoeing, backpacking, and rock climbing, students:
- Build resilience, confidence, and teamwork
- Step outside their comfort zones
- Strengthen bonds with peers and teachers
This shared experience lays the foundation for a semester of academic focus and personal development.
Introductory Meeting & Student Strategic Plan (SSP) Development
After the expedition, students engage in focused one-on-one sessions with their mentor educator. These sessions support deeper self-reflection, schedule refinement, and the co-creation of a Student Strategic Plan (SSP)—a living document that maps out their personalized learning path.
The SSP covers key areas of growth such as:
- Academics: Custom coursework tailored to learning styles, strengths, interests, and goals
- Physical Activity: Movement and physical health routines that build resilience and well-being
- Mindfulness: Practices like meditation, breathwork, journaling, and reflection to cultivate self-awareness, presence, and emotional regulation
- Extracurriculars & Hobbies: Opportunities to explore passions, express creativity, and try new things
- Social-Emotional Well-being: Systems of support that nurture emotional health and personal development
The SSP evolves with the student, remaining responsive to their goals and emerging interests. It is revisited with the Accountability Council and extensively halfway through the year to ensure that they are on track, meeting objectives and allowing for adaptation if required.
Safe and Supportive Learning Environment
We believe that “all growth emanates from a place of rest.” Research shows that stress impedes learning, so we intentionally foster an environment where students feel emotionally safe and well cared for. In this nurturing atmosphere, students are free to take risks, make mistakes, and grow into their best selves.
Grounded in Dr. Gordon Neufeld’s attachment-based developmental approach, we prioritize secure, trusting relationships between students and Mentor Educators. These relationships provide emotional safety, a sense of belonging, and the foundation for deep learning and personal growth.
Regular Engagement with the Accountability Council
At key milestones, particularly at the close of each semester, students meet with their Accountability Council — a supportive group made up of mentors, peers, and other trusted figures. These sessions:
- Celebrate progress and achievements
- Provide constructive feedback
- Help identify new opportunities for growth
This process reinforces self-reflection, responsibility, and continuous learning.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Every student’s journey is unique.
Our model is designed to be adaptable, evolving as students' interests, goals, and life circumstances change.
Whether a student wants to take on new academic challenges, shift focus, or integrate travel and life experience into their education, we provide the flexibility and support to make it happen.
Redefining High School
By combining experiential learning, personalized strategic planning, and a relationship-focused environment, Apex WILDE High School reimagines what high school can be.
We empower students to define their own futures—equipped with the skills, confidence, and support to live lives of purpose, joy, and meaning.
Experiential Learning
Co-op opportunities
Dive into hands-on work experiences that spark curiosity and connect skills to real careers.
service projects
Tackle community challenges that ignite the drive to explore, collaborate, and make a tangible difference.
out trips
Venture into the wilderness to uncover nature’s lessons, building resilience for the real world.
field studies
Step outside the classroom to investigate local ecosystems & cultures, turning questions into discoveries to touch and feel.
Integrated Program
Academics
Each student is guided to discover their own way to master core knowledge, anchoring to goals, creating the foundation to confidently solve real-world problems.
technology
Harness cutting-edge tools to shape the future, turning ideas into action in a digital world.
creativity & critical thinking
Unleash imagination and sharpen the mind to tackle challenges creatively, driving personal growth.
social and emotional intelligence
Learn to lead and build connections with self-awareness & empathy that matter beyond the classroom.
