Frequently Asked Questions

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Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Families

Images are taken from the Anchor Academy Handbook, which can be found in its entirety at www.ark.net.

General

What are the different learning options?

Option 1: Online Learning (OL)

OL is a method of instruction where students can connect with their B.C. certified teacher using the internet, phone, or mail.  Students work with B.C. certified teachers to reach goals in their learning and follow Learning Standards as prescribed by the B.C. Ministry of Education. This program is eligible to receive a British Columbia Dogwood Graduation Certificate.

Note: This program is only available to permanent residents of B.C.

Option 2: International Program

This program is based on ACE (Accelerated Christian Education).  Upon completion, students receive an International Diploma from Anchor Academy (not a B.C. Dogwood

diploma).

Note: This program is available for students in B.C., throughout Canada, and abroad.  Permanent residents of B.C. are eligible to receive funding equal to the BC Home School Registered amount.

Option 3: BC Home School Registered

This independent program has limited funding. Parents are responsible for providing their children with an education program, however they are not required to meet the Provincial Curriculum Competencies. BC Home School Registered students are not eligible to receive a British Columbia Dogwood Graduation Certificate.

Note: This program is only available to permanent residents of B.C.

Which program is right for me?Online LearningInternational ProgramBC Home School Registered
Must meet the Learning Standards of the B.C. Curriculumyesnono
Supervised by a B.C. certified teacheryesnono
Must participate in provincial testing (Foundation Skills Assessments, Numeracy/Literacy Assessments)yesnono
Biblical texts/ resources may be usedyesyesyes
Communication RequirementsWeekly with the teacher4 times per year with the schoolnone

What are the options within the Online Learning Program?

  • Teacher Designed – Courses incorporate the use of Biblical resources/assignments

prepared by Anchor Academy teachers that satisfy the B.C. Ministry of Education Learning Standards.

  • Individualized – In consultation with Anchor Academy teacher(s), parents select preferred resources, and with the teacher create a unique Student Learning Plan while meeting B.C. Ministry of Education Learning Standards.
  • Special Education – Specialized teachers work with a team to support students with specific learning challenges to implement learning adaptations and modifications.
  • Adult Graduation – Students aged 18 and older can achieve high school graduation.
  • Apprenticeship – Students follow a specific graduation path that is focused on trades learning.
  • Cross Enrollment – Students can enroll in one or more courses while attending another school.  This is only available for Grades 10-12 and with administrative approval.

How do I enrol?

  • All registration/enrolment forms can be found online at www.ark.net.
  • To enroll online or register, go to www.ark.net and click the box that says “Enrolment Forms”.  You will then have a choice to complete an online enrolment or a downloadable form. 
  • If you are unable to complete any of these options or have questions, please contact the office at 1.888.917.3783 for assistance.

What is the teacher’s role in Online Learning? (Please see IEP teacher role in SE section below)

Teacher responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

  • Planning, delivering, assessing and reporting on student learning.  This includes:
  • Preparing IEP (Individualized Education Program), SLP (Student Learning Plan)
  • Ordering materials
  • Providing learning activities
  • Assessing and providing feedback on student work
  • Reporting on student learning according to BC performance standards
    • Keeping established hours of availability for parents and students
    • Communicating at least once a week with students in an academically meaningful way using multiple methods of communication
    • Managing student funding in consultation with the parent

What is the parent’s role in Online Learning?

Parent responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

  • Facilitating student learning under the direction of Anchor Academy’s BC certified teacher
    • Knowing academic expectations and deadlines, and helping the student meet them
    • Communicating with the teacher about concerns
    • Overseeing the organization and submission of student work
    • Supervising tests and quizzes
    • Submitting requests for Anchor Academy to pay for Third Party Services and working with Anchor Academy staff to ensure proper Criminal Record Checks are in place
  • If parents choose to hire Third Party Services to help with the educational needs of their child, parents are still responsible to communicate directly with the teacher.  Parents may then share any information with the Third Party as they deem necessary for the benefit of their child’s education.  If parents would like Anchor Academy teachers to communicate directly with the Third Party, written consent will be required.  This consent does not negate the responsibilities of the parent. Parents still need to communicate with Anchor Academy teachers to keep informed of their child’s progress and make educational decisions on behalf of their child.

What is the student’s role in Online Learning?

Student responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

  • Communicating with the teacher of each course on a weekly basis (or more often if needed)
    • Completing and submitting course work in a timely fashion
    • Asking for help from the teacher when needed
    • Respecting the rights of fellow students and the teacher

What type of technology will we need for Online Learning?

It is recommended that students obtain:

  • Internet service that allows frequent use
    • A headset with microphone
    • Printer/scanner
    • Access to a good computer (computers may be available to borrow from the Anchor Academy library)
    • Microsoft Office 365 (provided by Anchor Academy at no cost to the family)

Does Anchor Academy charge tuition?

For students enrolling on or after April 1, Anchor Academy charges a $50 tuition fee per student (to a family max of $150). This fee will be payable during enrolment.  The following other fees will also be applied:

  • Cross enrolled school age* students, $100 per course
  • Non-graduated adult age students, $200 per course
  • Graduated adult age students, $500 per course

*The school year students turn 19 years of age is the last year they are considered school age. The school year is July 1 to June 30.

Will my student receive funding in the Online Learning Program?

Funding is available for learning resources in the following ways:

  1. Anchor Academy Credit Allocation (ACA) for learning

Anchor Academy is committed to meeting the individual learning needs of each student.  In order to provide the necessary curricula, resources, and activities to families, the Ministry of Education has set a cap on the 3rd party services/resources allocation of up to $600 per FTE (Full Time Equivalent) in grades K-12. This equals $75 per high school course to a maximum of $600 per student.

NOTE: Due to the course fees required to deliver Grade 10-12 academic courses (English, Math, Science, Socials, Second Language), no ACA funds are available for those courses as all necessary resources are provided by the school.  Elective courses may have ACA funds available to help pay for 3rd party services and consumable resources (for example, sport or music lessons, etc.). 

  • Anchor Academy’s Resource Library

Anchor Academy has developed a Resource Library from which non-consumable items (such as textbooks and CD’s) can be borrowed for as long as they are needed during the school year.

  • Subscriptions

Anchor Academy provides specific on-line school subscriptions for Anchor Academy students at no charge to the family. 

Will my child be required to take a Bible course?

Students in Grades K-9 will not take a specific Bible course, but Christian content is incorporated into other courses. Students graduating from Anchor Academy are required to take at least one Bible course in their Grade 10-12 years.

How many hours a day will my child need to be working on school?

While every student is different, most full-time students will need to work approximately four to six hours a day each weekday in order to complete their assignments.  Teachers will give guidance as to which assignments are due each term. Grade 10 – 12 courses should require approximately 100 – 120 hours to complete each course.

Grades K – 9

Will my child’s courses be on the computer or in traditional textbooks and workbooks?

Curricular resources are available in a variety of formats. Parents can work with the teacher to access the desired mix of resource types. Most of our Grade 8 & 9 courses are on D2L Brightspace, which is an online platform. Some of these courses do, however, use a combination of online resources and print resources.

What classes will my child be taking?

Grades 10 – 12

What courses are offered for Online Learning students?

A list of courses with descriptions can be found on our website www.ark.net in the High School section. 

Will my child’s courses be on the computer or in traditional textbooks and workbooks?

Most of our Grade 10-12 courses are on an online platform called D2L Brightspace.  Some courses will use paper resources with online submissions.  Most courses have the option of paper-based or online resources depending on student preference.  There may be some opportunity for students to use alternative resources and submission methods.  This decision will be made in consultation with the High School Vice Principal.

How do students write tests for the OL program?

Tests are embedded within each course.  Students can write them at home, but they will need to be supervised by an adult.  The adult must be in the same room and able to see the computer screen at all times.  The student must write the test in one sitting without help, except what is allowed by the teacher (for example a calculator may be allowed for most math tests).  Graduation Provincial Assessments must be written at Anchor Academy or at local high schools.  Our exam coordinator will help students secure suitable locations during designated assessment sessions.

Will my child have the same teacher for all subjects?

In high school, students are assigned to homeroom teachers who will help with course selection. Students who are in the adapted Special Education program will have a Special Education homeroom teacher who will also write the student’s IEP.  Students taking Teacher Designed courses will have one teacher for Mathematics and Science and another who specializes in English and Social Studies.  Depending on what electives are chosen, students might have other teachers as well.  Although this might seem overwhelming at first, it really gives a chance for students to learn from specialists in their fields – teachers who love and understand the content and are experienced in teaching those courses.  Students who would like to have the same teacher for all subjects will need to consult with the High School Vice Principal before a decision will be made.

How many courses does a student take at one time?

High School students are encouraged to take four courses at a time (2 academic and 2 non-academic).  Our courses are self-paced, so can start and finish at any time throughout the year.  Students are encouraged to complete each course within the semester it is started but can have up to 12 months to complete each course if needed.

What electives should my child take?

This really depends on the student’s interests and plans after high school.   If the student participates in extra-curricular activities, we might be able to work that into course credits either through:

It is recommended that students consult with the High School Vice Principal to discuss options and graduation requirements, and to ensure completion of prerequisites for Post-Secondary Programs.

What are the requirements for graduation?

In order to meet graduation requirements and be awarded a British Columbia Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma), students must earn a minimum of 80 credits (16 of which need to be at the Grade 12 level) and write the Provincial Graduation Assessments.  The 80 credits must include 52 credits for required courses and a minimum of 28 elective credits.

*NEW GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Beginning in September 2023, at least 4 of the 80 credits must be an Indigenous focused course.  Anchor Academy offers English First Peoples 12 (which also meets the Language Arts 12 requirement) and Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12 (which also meets the Social Studies 11/12 requirement).

Required Courses (52 credits)

Credits must be earned in the following subject areas or courses:

  • Language Arts 10 (4 credits)
  • Language Arts 11 (4 credits)
  • Language Arts 12 (4 credits)
  • Social Studies 10 (4 credits)
  • a Social Studies 11 or 12 (4 credits)
  • a Mathematics 10 (4 credits)
  • a Mathematics 11 or 12 (4 credits)
  • Science 10 (4 credits)
  • a Science 11 or 12 (4 credits)
  • Physical and Health Education 10 (4 credits)
  • an Arts Education or Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies 10, 11, or 12 (4 credits)
  • Career Life Education (4 credits)
  • Career Life Connections (4 credits)

Electives (minimum of 28 credits)

Elective credits may be from:

Do you offer the Adult Graduation Program?

Yes, for students who are 18 or older.  The requirements for adult graduation are:

  • English Studies 12
  • A Math 11 or 12 course 
  • At least three additional Grade 12 electives, or a Grade 11 Socials Studies course and two additional Grade 12 electives (these cannot be BAA, IDS, or locally developed courses)

Courses and credits can be counted from either or both the public secondary and post-secondary systems.

Of the five courses required for the Adult Dogwood, at least three must be completed after the adult student has entered the Adult Graduation Program, either through enrolment (instruction) or Prior Learning Assessment. This means that students can receive credit toward the Adult Dogwood for no more than two qualifying courses completed while in the B.C. (school-aged) Graduation Program. You cannot receive an Adult Dogwood using only courses completed prior to enrolling in the Adult Graduation Program.

Although students on the Adult Graduation Program are not required to complete the Provincial Graduation Numeracy or Literacy Assessments to graduate with the Adult Dogwood, they should be aware that some post-secondary institutions may require that students write these assessments for admission purposes

Special Education

What is the goal of the Special Education Department?

Our goal is to support and develop each child that God brings to Anchor Academy. Each child is uniquely and wonderfully made, and Anchor Academy is honoured to work as a multidisciplinary team with each family to grow every child academically, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

How does Special Education funding work?

The Ministry of Education gives Anchor Academy funds that are used to develop and support the Special Education Department, including your child’s educational program, as described in the IEP.

Will my student have extra support?

You can access CEA/EA support.  This support can be virtual using the Zoom platform or face-to-face.  The number of hours per week depends on the level of funding and the other supports that are needed for your child’s program.

Who finds the support workers?

We have a list of support workers that have worked with Anchor Academy before, but we also encourage families to ask in their local areas.  Of course, we will do our very best to help find a support worker if that is the need.

Will my child be expected to see a counsellor?

If your child is designated as level 3H it is mandatory that a counsellor be in place.

Who do I contact if I have concerns?

We encourage parents to discuss all concerns with the teacher first. If the teacher cannot answer your question, please contact Anchor Academy and ask for the Special Education Department. 

What if my child needs a psych-ed assessment?

Please contact your teacher and they will submit a testing request on your behalf.  We do our very best to find the appropriate assessment in your community.

Does Anchor Academy have any other specialized supports?

If the IEP team requests, Anchor can provide special programs such as one-on-one educational supports or tutoring, TinyEye therapies, programs for struggling readers, math programs, etc.

Are there any options besides the Dogwood Certificate?

While not a graduation credential, the Evergreen Certificate recognizes the accomplishments of students who have not graduated but have met the goals of an Individualized Education Plan.

Does Anchor Academy have specific IEP teachers?

Yes!  Anchor Academy has teachers that have experience in developing IEP’s who work alongside the academic teacher.  There are times that students will have both an IEP teacher as well as an academic teacher.