Adult, Alternative & Continuing Education

School Profile

General School Description

The G.A. Wheable Collegiate and Vocational Institute opened on September 25, 1957.  The school was named after Dr. G.A. Wheable who, during his distinguished career in education, was a teacher, a principal, a superintendent, and a director of education.  In September of 1985, Wheable became the site of the first Adult Learning Centre in London.  In the fall of 1987, the school became the first adults-only day school in London when the G.A. Wheable Centre for Adult Education opened.

Although Wheable is located in southeast London, the centre serves the entire city, as well as several communities in the outlying areas.

Currently, the school offers credit courses to adult learners (aged 18 years and over) at the grade 9, 10, 11, 12 levels.

Wheable also offers credit classes through its night school program.

The Thames Valley Adult English as a Second Language program is coordinated from the Wheable Centre. ESL Office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  ESL classes are offered at the Centre in Benchmark levels from 1 to 8. A number of satellite sites offer ESL programming, as well.

Students can also upgrade their skills in English and mathematics through the school’s Gateway to Learning program.

Wheable is also a host site for the Literacy London Inc. literacy program. This program is for students whose learning needs are better met individually or in a small group setting.  Literacy London helps adult students strengthen their reading, writing, and math skills in order to reach their employment/training or personal goals.

Students wishing to continue their education independently can take courses through Wheable’s in-house Self Study Centre.
 
 

School Organization

Total student complement per term (with 5 terms per school year) is:

• Approximately 1000 students at the grade 9 to 12 levels.
• Approximately 1000 ESL students.
• Approximately 150 LBS students.

School Goals

The academic mandate of the G.A. Wheable Centre for Adult Education is to offer a wide range of credit courses from Grade 9 to 12.  Eligible adults may earn a Certificate of Education or an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or may upgrade their qualifications.

Within the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, the educational programs and support services reflect the diversity of the adult learner and community needs.  These programs provide the opportunity for the acquisition of academic, generic, and employment skills.

The G.A. Wheable Centre for Adult Education offers a standard of excellence in education in the unique setting of adults working together.
 

Noteworthy Projects/Initiatives/Events

Wheable also operates a Career Centre that serves as a clearing-house for information for students regarding universities, colleges, and various occupations. 

An Employment Resource Centre, funded by Service Canada, operates out of the Wheable Centre. Workers at the ERC provide one-on-one service and assistance to the public in searching  for employment related information. The ERC is located on the ground floor near the cafeteria at the south end of the building. Parking is available at the side of the building. Contact the ERC at 519-452-2697.

Volunteers at the School

Volunteers are utilized in the ESL and Gateway to Learning, and Literacy London programs.

In the ESL program, a volunteer may be called on to assist in the classroom or in a withdrawal situation, either on a one-on-one or small group basis.  Interested volunteers may apply to the ESL office through Nana Tirolese.

If you are interested in helping an adult learner in the one-to-one Literacy London program, please call Irene at 519-452-2660 extension 69712.