Secondary Education in British Columbia 1 It is the aim of the Kindergarten to Grade 12 programme that all students graduate with a sound education that is relevant to their lives. The goals set for schools are defined by standards that provide meaningful measures of students' progress. These standards are realistic expectations of what students should know and be able to do as they progress through 13 years of schooling. The provincial curriculum expresses these standards as expected "learning outcomes" for each subject or course and grade. These learning outcomes reflect patterns of student development and actual standards of achievement within the province. In the primary years, standards are based on expectations for children in their age range. In Grades 4 to 12 standards are based on expected learning outcomes for each grade or course. Meaning of Specific Terms Secondary education in British Columbia includes two levels: Junior Secondary Grades : Grades 8, 9 and 10 Senior Secondary Grades : Grades 11 and 12 Career programmes : There are three types of career programmes at the high school level: secondary school apprenticeship, co-op education, and career preparation. Secondary school apprenticeship programmes and co-op education programmes are made up of workplace-based training. Career preparation programmes consist of six courses at the Grade 11 and 12 level. These courses may either be Ministry-authorized or career preparation courses. The Ministry recognizes all career programmes that have been approved by the school district and registered with the Ministry. Dogwood Diploma : This is the British Columbia Certificate of Graduation for the province's secondary school programme. A student who meets the secondary school graduation requirements is entitled to receive a Dogwood Diploma. Dogwood Diplomas have a red Ministry seal. External Courses : Organized sets of learning activities offered outside the British Columbia school system and set out in Schedule 4 of the Graduation Requirements Order . Students receive graduation credit for successfully completing an external course. Integrated Resource Package (IRP): combines four key elements of learning to form a functional curriculum overview document. IRPs provide the basic information that teachers will require in order to implement curriculum. Locally-developed Courses : Subject matter from a particular field of knowledge and skill set selected and organized by a particular school. These courses must be approved by the school’s governing body. Ministry-authorized Course : All courses included in the Graduation Requirements Order 1 Adapted from Secondary Education in Canada: A Student Transfer Guide . 7 th ed. Toronto: Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, 1998. Available:http://www.cmec.ca/tguide/1998/english/index.stm 1 with the exception of External courses, (see below) have curriculum guides or Integrated Resource Packages (IRPs) listed in the Education Guide Order. Academic Calendar The instructional year usually extends from the first Tuesday after Labour Day until June 30. The minimum number of days of instruction may vary from 184 to 188 days. At the Junior and Senior High levels, schools must offer not fewer than 25 hours 45 minutes of instruction in each week. Examinations may be set during instructional time. However, only a maximum of 7 examination days may be scheduled during hours of instruction. Curriculum Organization The curriculum is organized to provide for three years of study at the Junior High level and two years of study at the Senior High level. Each level of the education programme has particular emphases that reflect the range of knowledge, skills and attitudes that students develop during these years. All levels of the programme are developed around a common core of learning intended to ensure that students learn to read, write, and do basic mathematics, solve problems, and use computer-based technology. These basic skills are emphasized through studies in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, and applied skills from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Credit Requirements In Grades 4 to 10, minimum time allotments, expressed as percentages, are recommended for each required area of study. It is up to each school to design a timetable appropriate for all students. Variation in the recommended times are encouraged to address the learning needs of individual students and the particular needs of communities. In the credit system for the graduation years, the length and scope of courses are reflected in the credit value awarded to them. For example, courses may have a value of one, two, three, or four credits. One credit is equivalent to approximately 30 hours of instruction. Most courses in Grades 11-12 are worth 4 credits. Requirements for Graduation Junior Secondary grades Required courses for each grade include: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Languages, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Fine Arts and Applied Skills and Personal Planning. Senior High During their graduation years (Grades 11 and 12), students must complete at least 52 credits of course work and 30 hours of work experience (no credits associated with this requirement) to satisfy the minimum requirements for graduation. 2 Under this credit-based system, students must earn a minimum of 52 credits, including Foundation Studies (minimum 28 credits) and Selected Studies (minimum 24 credits). Foundation Studies include the following subject areas: Language Arts (11,12), Social Studies (11), Mathematics (11), Science (11), Fine Arts (11), Applied Skills (11), Career and Personal Planning (11, 12). Examinations and Grading Practices For Grades 4 to 12, students will receive letter grades describing what they are able to do in relation to expected learning outcomes. Letter grades, with written comments when required, will be provided in student reports for Grades 8 to 10. For student in Grades 11 or 12, letter grades will be accompanied by percentage marks and written comments when required. The successful completion of a course numbered 11 or 12 requires a minimum grade of C- and 50%. The following are percentages for use at grades 11 and 12: A, 86-100%; B, 73-85%; C+, 67-72%; C, 60-66%; C-,50-59%; F, 0- 49%. Note : Province-wide examinations are required in about 20 of the Grade 12 academic subjects. Scores in these exams form 40 per cent of the final grade awarded. For Further Information Contact: Dr. Jerry Mussio, Director Programme Standards and Education Resources Branch Ministry of Education, Skills and Training 5th Floor - 620 Superior St. PO Box 9152 Stn. Prov. Gov. Victoria, BC, V8W 9H1 Ph: (250) 357-5450 Fax: (250) 356-2316 e-mail: [email protected] 3 Bodwell High School "The Emerging Student" Address: 2026 W., 12th Ave. Vancouver, BC, V6J 2G2 Telephone: (604) 737-8221; Fax: (604) 737-8213 WWW: http://www.bodwell.edu/HighHome.htm E-mail: [email protected] Type of School: Coeducational general education and university preparatory Religious Affiliation: Nondenominational Grades: Junior Secondary, 8-10 Senior Secondary, 11-12 Boarding Grades: 8-12 Application Deadline: Two months before semesters starting September, January and May Scholarship Deadline: Four months before semesters start Location Bodwell High School (BHS) is conveniently located in a prestigious and quiet residential area in the west side of the Vancouver (population 514,008), the province's largest city which features such popular attractions as Stanley Park, Chinatown, Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Vancouver is also the home of two universities (Simon Fraser and the University of British Columbia) as well as three professional sports teams, the Vancouver Canucks (hockey), the Vancouver Grizzlies (NBA Basketball) and the BC Lions (football). History Bodwell High School 1991 was founded by a group of experienced educators and social workers who perceived that the west coast was attracting many immigrants, and friends and relatives of these immigrants, from the Pacific Rim who were having trouble adjusting both to the language and culture of Canada. It became the School's goal to facilitate the transition of such students into Canadian society. When it opened, the School took up two storeys in its present location, but soon expanded into an adjacent building. Currently, BHS has the capacity to handle 250 students. Today, the School is governed by an independent board of directors and it is going to be a member of the British Columbia Federation of Independent Schools. The School is inspected annually by the Ministry of Education of British Columbia and students who fulfill the Grade 12 graduation requirements are granted the B.C. Secondary School Dogwood Diploma, and may apply for admission at any post-secondary institution. Philosophy BHS strives to develop the potential of students by satisfying their thirst for knowledge and their need for creativity. The School wishes and encourages students to become active learners. It also emphasizes hard work and tries to set a good example for students to model. It expects well-balanced development in young people, values respect and kindness towards others, and promotes cross-cultural sensitivity and global thinking. Campus The two adjacent buildings provide floor space of about 30,000 sq.ft. of air-conditioned, bright and clean classroom space. As well as 20 classrooms, the buildings contain a library, a science lab, an art room, a music room, and a fitness room. The School also utilizes the sport facilities of two nearby community centres which have gymnasiums, an ice-rink, an indoor swimming pool and a fitness centre as well as outdoor playing fields. Students commute to these facilities by school bus or on foot. Boarding Facilities The High School operates a residence, about eight minutes away on foot, which accommodates 30 students, about 15 boys and 15 girls. While the residence is open to all students, by policy, if it is over-booked, younger students are given priority. For older students who could benefit from living with Canadian families, the School has established, and carefully monitors, a homestay programme.