Outreach Gr 10-12

A traditional classroom format is compressed into regular multi-hour workshops. Teachers work with small groups of students to master core skills. Because the majority of work is completed during class, regular attendance is essential.  Homework, while rare, is sometimes assigned to practice essential skills and to independently explore a few non-core topics.  Course selection is limited. Program capacity is minimal.

BEST SUITS

Students who need structure to succeed

Students with reading comprehension challenges

Students with regular attendance patterns

Courses at the -3 level

Core courses (with multiple registrants)

Students come in for one or more periods of regular teacher led instruction.  This is combined with a number of independently completed units &/or topics. Homework is regular and its timely completion is essential.  Depending on the course and teacher instructional periods may:

only focus on a few core concepts

provide a “big picture” overview to a unit

focus on lab skills and/or project-like applications

BEST SUITS

Academically average students with average to above average work discipline or students with poor work discipline but who are academically very quick

Students who need some teacher direction but who are overwhelmed by too much teacher control or too much student independence

Difficult academic subjects and diploma courses

Students attend classes at a traditional high school but come over to the Alternate school at set times for additional help.  Tests can be completed at the traditional high school or at the Alternate school. This enables students to keep working on a unit even though their “class” may have moved on before they themselves were ready.

BEST SUITS

Students who need the structure of a regular class

Students who need large amounts of teacher instructions

Students who may need extra time to complete some units

Students for whom flexible attendance options are counter-productive

Some students come in already knowing a lot of a course’s content. Teachers in this delivery option quickly assess student knowledge, filling in gaps with custom workshops, independent distance learning resources, or take home assignments. Students have significant voice in selecting an optimal balance between the level of competency they want to achieve and the time it takes to get there.

BEST SUITS

Students with broad knowledge who pick up content quickly and who may prioritize pace above grades

Students who have taken and failed a course due to incomplete assignments rather than lack of ability

Students with lots of experience in certain course areas (often CTS courses)

Students complete Canadian Adult Education Credential (the new GED) books on their own. Teachers provide tutor support. Students may chose to complete teacher led workshops in order to get Alberta course credit.  CAEC tests can only be written once students turn 18.

BEST SUITS

Grade 11 or 12 students with minimal high school credits

Attendance is a recurring issue

Students who are willing to wait until they are 18+ to get their GED

While similar to flex delivery, students are only permitted to attend school at specific times.  In some cases attendance frequency is similar to Flex programming. In other cases all work is done at home.  Students study all concepts on their own, making appointments for extra help. While most questions are answered during scheduled time periods, student can email or phone at anytime for additional help.

BEST SUITS

Students with average reading comprehension levels and are independent

Students with short attention spans and difficulty working in school environments

Students who struggle with the structural requirements of other WAS programs

This is a non-academic program designed to provide a safe environment for a very limited number of students.  Work typically involves free reading and non-rigorous student selected open-ended projects. Some co-ordination with counselling services also occurs.   This program may involve occasional life skills seminars or workshops.

BEST SUITS

Students who are not working toward a high school diploma

Students who would like to remain connected to a school atmosphere, but for whom academic rigour or structure may produce counter-productive consequences.

Criteria

Students are eligible for WAS graduation awards in their final year of study, provided their school registration is with us (50% or more of core classes taken at WAS).

All students eligible for graduation designations and their associated awards need to be enrolled in courses that will lead to graduation in June of that academic school year.

Graduation Designations & Awards

Due to fluctuating graduate numbers, one of two different award methods are used.  Outreach teachers in conjunction with the school principal decide which award method is most appropriate for a given school year.

1: Single Award

Outreach teachers select a single student for special designation.  The decision for this option is based upon:

• there being a low number of graduating students,
• there being a single student who stands out from other graduates based upon WAS’ student graduate rubric.
• Award value is $1000.

2: Principal's Award of Excellence

Each major campus selects a Principal's Award of Excellence recipient.  The decision for this option is based upon:

• there being a high number of graduating students,
• there being highly qualified candidates at each campus as per WAS' student graduate rubric, but no one which stands out significantly above all others.
• Award value is $350 per student in the case of three awards, and $500 per student in the case of two awards.

Process

• Contending students have their academic histories reviewed and tabulated.
• Outreach teachers then meet to discuss which award option is given.
• Rubrics are then analyzed and awards/designations are determined.

Valedictorian Award

Due to the small number of graduates WAS has each year, grade based awards do not always meet the high standards associated with traditional school valedictorians. To preserve the integrity of this designation, and maintain WAS integrity-value standards, potential valedictorians must exceed pre-determined academic standards to enter into the running for the WAS Valedictorian designation and award.  Minimum standards are:

1. An average of 80% or better in all registered courses in grade 11 and grade 12 years.
2. Completion of an “academic” stream of course work, including:
1. English 30-1,
2. Social 30-1,
3. Any two of the following courses, Chem 30, Science 30, Physics 30, Biology 30, Math 30-1, Math 31.
3. 85% or better average standing in Eng 30-1, Soc 30-1 and any two courses listed in 2c, and with no mark in those counted courses falling below the 80% standard.
4. 50% or more of their courses in the grade 12 year, or as aggregated through their grade 10-12 years, taken via WAS.
5. Completion of some significant community building or performance work, such as tutoring, volunteer work, class instruction, sports, performing arts, fine arts, which is also completed to an above average standard as compared to the general population of grade 12 students.

Students who meet these standards then enter into competition for the single Valedictorian Award and designation.

Award value - $500 (or $750 if school funds allow)

This award is given on top of any other Graduate Awards.

* courses that have a diploma mark completed and marked prior to June 1, shall have the combined (teacher+diploma) mark counted.  June courses shall have the latest teacher mark counted.

* averages shall exclude Work Experience marks

*CTS courses should be weighted according to the CEU value (ie ⅕ the weighting of a 5 cr course)

* Grade averages are calculated based upon the year the courses are taken, not their 20 or 30 level standing.

Other Awards

In any given year the Principal at his/her discretion may present additional awards, not present all possible awards, or not present awards at all, based on individual circumstances and/or recommendations from school staff.

Valedictorian Rubric

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Campus/School Award Rubric

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