The Lakehead District School Board announced a new program on May 12, 2026, to help young parents in Thunder Bay complete their high school education. The Alternative Learning Program for Young Parents provides a path for students to earn credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma through flexible online and in-person instruction.
The initiative is a partnership with the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board. It is designed to support young parents, including pregnant teens, who have children between infancy and four years old. The program addresses the need for educational support in a region where teen pregnancy rates have historically been higher than the provincial average.
To help remove barriers for students, the program offers licensed on-site childcare in a safe environment, along with provided lunches and nutritious snacks. Transportation to the program site at 231 South May Street is also available for those attending in-person sessions. This new offering builds upon the board’s previous educational initiatives for young mothers, known as the Single Adolescent Mothers and Mothers in Search of Learning programs.
Participants will have access to a variety of community supports, including Ontario Works, EarlyON Child and Family Programs, and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. These partners will provide additional assistance to help students balance their parenting responsibilities with their academic goals.
Registration for the program is managed through the Lakehead Adult Education Centre. Those interested in learning more can contact by phone at 807-625-5145 or by email at [email protected].
