Student and Parent information

Join the SCIDES family and experience quality education with a feeling of belonging

  • all our teachers are BC-certified and offer support and guidance whenever needed;
  • we make it easy to get in touch with us - and we encourage frequent check-ins! You can email, phone, chat, skype and even come in to see us at SCIDES;
  • we don't forget about the fun! There are frequent opportunities for students - and their families - to participate in outings and activities like school picnics, talent shows, bike rodeos, and more (for families who are close to the Merritt or Kamloops area)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCIDES PARENTS, STUDENTS & TEACHERS

PARENT:

The role of the parent in the SCIDES environment includes:

  • Collaboratively develop a Student Learning Plan for the school year with the SCIDES teacher
  • demonstrate engagement in that learning plan within the first three weeks of registration
  • as the Home Facilitator, supporting the learning process by:
  • participating in Parent/Teacher/Student conferences, as requested.
  • communicating (at least bi-weekly for K-7) with your SCIDES teacher;
  • supporting the work of the student by being an active participant;
  • helping set daily goals and assisting in teaching the student time-management skills;
  • ensuring evidence of work is submitted regularly for assessment by your SCIDES teacher.


STUDENT:

The role of the student in the SCIDES environment includes:

  • working closely with the Home Facilitator;
  • completing assignments to the best of their ability;
  • asking for help when needed;
  • asking for alternative assignments when desired;
  • treating SCIDES books and equipment with respect.


SCIDES TEACHER:

The role of the teacher in the SCIDES environment includes:

  • working with parent(s) to develop a Student Learning Plan that supports the BC Ministry of Education authorized curriculum;
  • collaborating with the parent/guardian to create the individualized Student Learning Plan;
  • providing and/or pre-approving learning resources to meet the Student Learning Plan;
  • deliverer the curriculum of the assigned program;
  • the teacher will create and engage students in asynchronous and synchronous environments;
  • the teacher will engage students in an active learning environment, which respects individual student needs including students with Inclusive Education designations;
  • assessing student work and providing reports on student progress;
  • providing quality feedback in a timely manner and maintaining regular communication with students/parents/guardians;
  • the teacher will ensure ongoing proactive communication with parents, councilors/SOR contacts and students, which may include home visits, video conferencing, email, telephone and onsite visits
  • providing support and guidance to the Home Facilitator.

Indigenous Education

SCIDES' staff recognizes that it learns, teaches and works on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the NłeɁkepmx and Syilx people and acknowledges our Metis communities and their contributions to the Aboriginal ways of being, knowing and doing in Canada.

SCIDES proudly honours the history and traditions of BC’s First Nations by offering our students the opportunity to participate in Programs and Services provided through our Indigenous Student Advocate.  Each year, SD 58 provides learners the chance to experience and learn about local Indigenous culture and teachings through activities like Culture Camps, its annual Pow Wow hosted in May, and tournaments, and through participation in Truth and Reconciliation Day, the Red Dress Campaign, and the Moosehide Campaign.  Students who live locally - as well as those who are able to join us in our SD region - are welcome to engage in these activities and events.  Everyone is encouraged to participate in the virtual recognitions.

In addition to the events, our Indigenous Student Advocate provides a number of services to Indigenous students, such as academic, personal and home-school support, cultural group activities, and information about unique opportunities available to Indigenous students, including the SD 58 Aboriginal Grad ceremony.  If your student identifies as of First Nations or Metis ancestry, please ask us about the opportunities; we would love to see you involved.

Finally, students of Metis heritage, please be aware of the BC Metis Federation whose mission is to work with integrity and collaboration towards the advancement of Métis knowledge, language, culture, wellness, and self-determination today and for future generations.

Elementary, grades K-7

The Elementary Program at SCIDES follows the BC Ministry of Education curriculum. Of course, it also includes a variety of resources for all levels of support. Grades K-7 Programs are free of charge to BC residents, because SCIDES is an accredited BC public school.
 
Families who would like to enroll their child(ren) in SCIDES K - 7 are encouraged to do so no later than September 15 of the current school year.  This is to help ensure there is space for your child(ren) and that students are able to demonstrate sufficient engagement with school before the end of the month.  K - 7 students are expected to begin in September and finish their entire program by mid-June.  Of course, we recognize that sometimes these plans have to be adjusted and we are happy to work with families to support the best educational opportunity possible.  Good communication and a planned schedule are keys to success, and we are here to help you.  Give us a call!

SCIDES Elementary Program Options

Today's families lead a busy lifestyle, and a flexible quality education is just one of many reasons parents choose an education with SCIDES for their elementary-age children. Other reasons are the individual and educational needs of students, as well as their learning styles. Remote location or other circumstances may also make it difficult for students to attend the nearest school. No two families are alike, but SCIDES truly has a great solution for every family's educational needs - our passionate advisers and teachers will make sure the needs of all students are met, with a variety of program options. Let's plan a program that will ensure you child's learning success, together!  

Your teacher will work with you to review and understand the learning standards in each curricular subject area for the school year.  Home instructors will use the only SCIDES materials and teacher created supplements. The teacher will direct home instructor to submit work in a portfolio each term to show development, and help guide the home instructor through the program.

Middle, Grades 8 & 9

The Middle Years program at SCIDES is for students in grades 8 and 9

At SCIDES you have the option of enrolling with us full-time, or you can attend part time while you complete the majority of your courses at another school.

Option A: Full time (SOR or School of Record)

Would you like the flexibility of learning from home? Complete all ministry requirements needed for the high school grades via online learning with SCIDES and find your passion along the way. You will have the full support of BC certified teachers and a huge variety of e-learning courses, enhanced by individual learning plans and pacing options. Distributed learning will adjust to your lifestyle, giving you the tools to successfully obtain a BC Dogwood Certificate.

Option B: Cross-enrollment

Would you like to stay in your high school, but can’t fit in all your interests? Would you like to accelerate your pace of learning? Add flexibility to your school calendar by enrolling with SCIDES for up to two courses at a time for select courses that may not fit into your schedule or allow you to move more quickly through your educational objectives. SCIDES teachers work with high school counsellors across BC to offer students a wide variety of online learning courses. With cross enrollment, you can have the best of both worlds!

Grade 8 & 9 Program Overview

Our program encourages students to become creative, critical, and reflective thinkers. Grade 8 and 9 courses place an emphasis on students making connections between their studies in traditional subjects and to the real world. They foster the development of the Core Competencies:  Communicating, Collaborating, Creative Thinking, Critical & Reflective Thinking, Personal Awareness & Responsibility, Positive Personal and Cultural Identity, and Social Awareness and Responsibility - all qualities of the Educated Citizen.

The BC curriculum for these grades, covers: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical and Health Education, Applied Skills, Design, and Technology Electives, Fine Arts Electives, Languages, and Career Education.

Students will participate in online courses where they independently complete the learning outcomes in the core subject areas. Flexibility is available for students to pursue areas of interest and passion in the elective subjects. Students and parent facilitators will collaborate with teachers to meet learning outcomes in creative ways. Throughout their course(s) students will have the opportunity to interact with their teacher(s) using on-line tools, e-mail, and telephone, as well as schedule face-to-face teacher instruction.

Successful online students are self-motivated, comfortable with technology, and thrive in a self-paced environment. If this describes you then enroll with us! See below for the Responsibilities Agreement applicable to all SCIDES students.

Secondary Grades 10-12

As a student in grades 10 - 12 you have part-time cross enrollment options, or you can attend SCIDES full time, both leading to graduation with the BC Dogwood Certificate.

Cross enrollment

Would you like to stay in your high school, but can’t fit in all your interests? Add flexibility to your school calendar by enrolling with SCIDES for up to two courses at a time, that otherwise would not fit into your schedule. Attend high school and personalize your education through e-learning with us! SCIDES teachers work with high school counsellors across BC to offer students a wide variety of distributed learning courses. With cross enrollment, you can have the best of both worlds!

Full time (SOR or School of Record)

Another option for secondary students is full-time enrollment with SCIDES. Complete all requirements for graduation via distributed learning and find your passion along the way. You will have the full support of BC certified teachers and a huge variety of e-learning courses, enhanced by video-conferencing and individual learning plans. Distributed learning will adjust to your lifestyle, giving you the tools to successfully obtain a BC Dogwood Certificate.

International Students

SCIDES welcomes international students living in B.C.!

If the school you are attending in B.C. does not offer the course you are looking for, you might be able to find it with us. The fee for international students is $750 per course. 

Refunds:

You can cancel within two weeks of registration, but there is a $50 cancellation fee. If you cancel after two weeks, there is NO refund. If you have completed more than 10% of the course, there is NO refund.

BAA and FNA Courses

Board/Authority Authorized courses (BAA courses) and First Nation Authorized courses (FNA courses) respond to the local needs of the schools and their communities while providing choice and flexibility for students. BAA courses are authorized by boards/authorities according to requirements set by the Ministry of Education and Child Care. FNA courses are authorized by First Nation approving bodies according to requirements set out in the First Nation Authorized Courses (FNAC) process.

A Board Authority Authorized course, meaning it is "locally developed" and the curriculum is created by the local School Board instead of the Ministry of Education.  A BAA course can be used for Grade 12 credits towards graduation, but it is usually not accepted by universities as a Grade 12 second language.  For example, if you need a grade 12 second language as part of admission requirements, it is not likely that this will meet your needs, and you should contact the university you plan to apply to, to see if they will accept a BAA course.