1. Columbia Square Adult Learning Centre The home of virtualschoolbc.ca
Welcome to...
Columbia Square Adult Learning Centre
The home of virtualschoolbc.ca
SCHOOL DISTRICT 40, NEW WESTMINSTER

2. Have you been a student here in the past?
Please tell a teacher so that we can recover your records.
Are you under the age of 19?
Please tell a teacher so that we can plan the correct courses with you.

3. advancing your education? We teach students of all ages.
Are interested in
advancing your education? We teach students of all ages.

4. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
UPGRADE YOUR ENGLISH
GET BETTER AT MATH
TAKE ONLINE COURSES

5. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
What is it?

6. When you finish high school in BC, you receive a Dogwood Diploma

7. `
A Dogwood Diploma is...
proof of High School Graduation in the province of British Columbia
It is required for admission to College or University

8. There are THREE ways to graduate in BC!
of B.C.
Adult Graduation (5 courses)
80 Credit Graduation (for students under 19 years of age)
GED (Grade 12 equivalency test)

9. You need a minimum of 5 SPECIFIC COURSES
What COURSES do I
need to take
to receive the Adult
DOGWOOD DIPLOMA?
You need a minimum of 5 SPECIFIC COURSES

10. the DOGWOOD DIPLOMA are: One of these 3 can be Social Studies 11
The 5 COURSES for
the DOGWOOD DIPLOMA are:
English 12 or Communications 12
An approved Mathematics 11 or 12
3 other Grade 12 level courses
1 (your choice)
One of these 3 can be Social Studies 11
or Civics 11
2 (your choice)
3 (your choice)
Provincial Exams are OPTIONAL

11. The 80 Credit Graduation:
For students born 1989 or later
Entered Grade 11 in Sept 2004 or earlier
Must write Provincial exams
3 grade 10 exams
1 grade 11 exam
1 grade 12 exam

12. GED Grade 12 Equivalency Write 5 tests to completed
For students aged 19 and older
Write twice a year
Must finish in 3 years
Grade 12 equivalency
$60 Fee

13. HOW LONG will I take to finish all the courses?
Every student will require a different amount of time. It depends on your skill level when you begin your upgrading.
An instructor will help you PLAN YOUR STUDY PROGRAM!

14. LEARN IN DIFFERENT WAYS
…in a
CLASSROOM
…or...
Take an
online course
from home.

15. Grade 11 & 12 Classroom Courses
(September to January)
Business Computer Applications 11
Civics 11
Communications 11
Communications 12
Data Management 12
DFT 12 (Film 12)
English 12
Math 11 Pre-Calculus (former PMA 11)

16. What is self paced learning?
Whether you are in high school or not you know that regular scheduled courses require that you attend at scheduled times. Self-paced courses are different. Self-paced courses don’t have a strict schedule. You are responsible for your own schedule. Our courses do have a limit. You must complete your course within one year. However, you should aim to complete a course within 3 months. And of course you will receive personal help and tutoring from a British Columbia certified teacher.
You are not alone.
...you can design your own schedule of attendance and study hours.
The Key to success is being self-motivated!

17. What Grade 10 courses are online?
English 10*
Information Technology 10*
Math 10 (Apprenticeship & Workplace)*
Math 10 (Foundations & Pre-Calculus)*
Planning 10
Science 10*
Social Studies 10*
Only students on the 80 Credit Graduation can take Grade 10 online courses.
*The NEW Literacy Foundation courses are available for adults

18. Math 11 (Apprenticeship & Workplace)*
What Grade 11 courses are online?
Biology 11
Chemistry 11
English 11
Math 11 (Apprenticeship & Workplace)*
Math 11 (Pre-Calculus)*
Physics 11
Science & Technology 11
Social Studies 11
* September 2011

19. What Grade 12 courses are online?
Biology 12
Chemistry 12
Communications 12
English 12
Family Studies 12
First Nations Studies 12
History 12
Law 12
Math 12 Principles
Physics 12

20. We also offer Academic Upgrading
for students who need extra help with:
GRAMMAR
COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
WRITING SKILLS

21. …by starting with our skills upgrading levels
Learn to READ better
Learn MATH
Improve your GRAMMAR
…by starting with our skills upgrading levels

22. Classroom Courses Adult Foundations: English, Writing,
Reading, Speaking,
& Listening.
Summer Classes: July 4 – August 11
Morning: 8:30 to 12:00
Afternoon: 12:30 to 4:00 PM
Evening: 5:30 to 9:00 PM

23. When can I come to school?
Open all year around, except...
The year’s schedule:
2 weeks in Dec.
1 week at Spring Break
1 week at the end of June
3 weeks in August
The week’s schedule:
Monday through Friday
The daily schedule (lab) Summer:
3:00 to 9:00 Monday
10:00 to 9:00 Tuesday to Thursday (Friday: closed)
The daily schedule (lab) September to June:
10:00 to 9:00 Monday to Thursday
10:00 to 3:00 Friday

24. $ $ TUITION is FREE for BC residents,
What does it COST?
$ $
TUITION is FREE for BC residents,
who are Canadian Citizens, Landed Immigrants, Refugees,
or work permit (1 year or more), who have a plan for graduation
International visa students pay $650 per course

25. LEARNING MATERIALS
TEXTBOOKS can be borrowed to use in the learning centre OR take one home. $100 Deposit is required
WORKBOOKS
(if needed) $10 and up
You provide your own supplies, like pens, paper, etc.
NOTE: We can supply a letter requesting funds for daycare. Ask at your interview.

26. How Do I
Start?
First, you may need to write a math and/or English assessment to help us place you in the right course.
If you provide a transcript showing recent completion of required courses we will be able to give you better advice.
The next step is to talk with a teacher to plan your long term and short term educational goals. We’re here to help you plan the shortest and best path to achieve your goals.

27. Please come in and get started!
And….CONGRATULATIONS…
for taking this important first step in coming back to school.