STUDY HERE, SUCCEED ANYWHERE Welcome to Victoria International Student Programs. Whether your goal is acceptance at a world-renowned university, or to simply improve your English, learn about Canadian culture, have fun and make friends, VISP is an excellent choice for you! Victoria International Student Programs offers the highest quality learning experience in a safe, beautiful, culturally diverse and inclusive environment. We are certain you will have a fantastic adventure and the education and experience you gain will provide you with access to unique opportunities for the rest of your life. More and more, these are experiences and My experience in Victoria International VISP CREATES attributes that give today’s students an advantage over other academically qualified students with Student Programs has taught me to be OPPORTUNITIES regard to university acceptance and employment. more independent, my English skills have FOR SUCCESS Flexibility to meet individual needs and achieve excellence greatly improved, and the teachers and Your competitive advantage for employment and post- Each of our District’s government-certified secondary education schools has its own unique character and programs offered here have been great. provides a wide range of course options. The Greater Victoria School District’s Victoria Within each class, our well-balanced ratio of International Student Programs are approved international to Canadian students allows our — Maria Fernanda Veloso Dias (Brazil) and accredited by the British Columbia Ministry teachers to utilize progressive learning strategies of Education. They meet the highest standards of that engage all of our students in meaningful, academic rigour and provide invaluable life skills cooperative projects and activities that create a to further each student’s chances for success. world-class learning environment. The Greater Victoria School District is located in Victoria, the “City of Gardens” and capital of Outstanding student support British Columbia, Canada. It covers five municipal Our years of experience in international areas and is one of the largest public school education have made us keenly aware of the districts in the province. unique needs of international students. To assist our students and encourage their success, we University and government provide comprehensive support that includes: accredited teachers • Staff at each of our high schools assigned Our teachers are highly trained, government- specifically to look after our international certified professionals. Teaching faculty has students: vice principal, advisor/counselor, completed university-level training in education, ELL instructor holding bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees in • Our own registered homestay program their particular subject area. • A dedicated homestay coordinator for the A balanced approach students at each school to learning • An orientation for all new international students The Academic High School Program instills a • Professional, experienced program staff balanced and healthy outlook in young minds by committed to student success encouraging students to become active and full members of their school and neighbourhood communities through athletics, cultural activities, volunteering and other non-academic pursuits. 2 3 Out of all the schools I researched, I chose WE HAVE A VISP because of its size and location, but in the end the programs offered were the SCHOOL TO SUIT deciding factor. The school I am attending is very good and the teachers have been YOUR STYLE terrific, I am really learning a lot and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. & NEEDS — Hernan Sandoval Gonzalez (Mexico) 4 5 COMFORTABLE, VICTORIA, WELL-EQUIPPED 13 K enm l l or i e BRITISH COLUMBIA Torquay H 2 r a FACILITIES d e d C r 12 o E f d g n e y a lo l a w G w n 3 d h Greater Victoria’s schools combine a Interurban e R d ig McKenzie y r d t r o a H 5 e y e B n rich history and tradition with a modern B a H in urnside B 9 F n t t Reynolds o a d P philosophy. As a student in Victoria r University ad o o of G Dumeresq 6 R Cedar Hill Cross Victoria h a International Student Programs, you will ic 11 r n d a a a als u S d ir Q enjoy our exceptional learning facilities, m 17 Ad R n o e s r n m including libraries, fine and practical i e l u d e ic l n r l i d e o T r s H h a arts facilities, science and computer a e S h Burnside l Shelbourne s iv g C n r s r u l a a o i l a g D f D l B labs equipped with the latest technology, r o h i w e c r Lansdowne a m Gorge d e d A d B 14 n large sports fields and a multitude of o R y ide m Hills a h Colville c B y i o extracurricular activities. a R n r B s o 1 o t l s b h u p d g Bay o 16 i a m e F C h a L All seven of our high schools are k s c Cranmore a o l a R Old Esquimalt Rd g r u d 7 a located in good neighbourhoods o 4 u Esquimalt D Q Fernwood and are serviced by an excellent Pandora Oak Bay Victoria Inner Harbour 10 y public transportation system. Our a Fort B k l McNeil o u o o C breathtaking downtown inner harbour F 15 can be accessed from all our schools in Monterey Uplands Campus eld less than 25 minutes. Fairfi Da VISP administrative offices ll as and education centre Our high schools get you closer Middle schools: supporting Middle Schools to your dreams the growing needs of younger 8 Arbutus Middle School students Greater Victoria’s high schools provide a 9 Cedar Hill Middle School consistent, world-class academic program as well Designed for the unique developmental learning 10 Central Middle School as an amazing array of elective courses for students needs of students in grades six through eight, our High Schools to choose from. Students can further develop 11 Colquitz Middle School 10 middle schools provide a smooth transition physically and intellectually by participating in the 12 Glanford Middle School 1 Esquimalt High School from elementary school to secondary school. many extra-curricular opportunities available. With In addition to core academic courses, they offer 13 Gordon Head Middle School 2 Lambrick Park Secondary seven high schools in the District, every student will numerous exploratory programs in fine arts, 14 Lansdowne Middle School 3 Mount Douglas Secondary find the right environment for their unique interests applied skills and information technology, to meet and needs. 15 Monterey Middle School 4 Oak Bay High School the educational needs and personal interests of each student. 16 Rockheights Middle School 5 Reynolds Secondary School 17 Shoreline Middle School 6 Spectrum Community School 7 Victoria High School 6 7 International students in the Academic Program Program provides instruction in the core subjects Camp Victoria Summer Program OUR PROGRAMS study the same curriculum as Canadian students of mathematics, intercultural studies, physical and must maintain the same high standards education and English Language Learning. This program is offered for six weeks in July and WILL TAKE YOU expected of Canadian youth. All courses are Students will also have the opportunity to August each year. Camp Victoria is intended for government approved and designed to prepare participate in a variety of co-curricular and extra- participants ages 13 - 18 who are placed in classes FURTHER IN LIFE students for the challenges of continuing curricular activities in and around Victoria. of approximately 15 students. New students may education or work. join the summer program on any Monday within Upon successful completion of the program, Academic High School Program the six-week program period for a minimum of two Admissions are based on a student’s ability students will be assigned credit in English, weeks. Each week includes a minimum of 22 hours Our Academic High School Program is intended to demonstrate their ability to be successful. Mathematics, Humanities and Physical Education. of class-based ELL learning and 12 hours of local for students who are goal-oriented and self- Prospective students usually supply Students will earn credit at the grade level cultural activities. Full-day local cultural activities motivated. Students are fully integrated with recommendations, grade reports and a list of they have been assigned (10 or 11) and will be occur each Saturday. Canadian students and can choose to enroll for six extra-curricular activities with their application guaranteed entrance into the Greater Victoria months, one year, or stay until graduation. forms to demonstrate their compatibility with the School District Classroom instruction focuses on developing expectations of the Academic High School Program. skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking The students who benefit most from this program with emphasis on communicative English also appreciate other forms of enrichment, such Short-Term High School for specific purposes. Activities are led by as music, art and sports. Uplands Campus Academic Experience Program professional, highly experienced facilitator and Transition Program (ATP) International students can tailor their studies to This exciting program gives students the opportunity assisted by trained Canadian students known as suit their individual interests and career goals. In This innovative academic program supports to attend a Canadian high school on a short-term “Cultural Assistants”. addition to required courses, students can choose international students with their transition into basis for 3 or 4 months. Our high schools offer five from a wide range of elective subjects in fine arts, British Columbia’s public school environment hours of daily class time.