A foundation powered by a unique philosophy
No matter your age or ability, we’re here to support your family and children in authoring your own lives and designing your own learning journey.
SelfDesign Learning Foundation offer three main programs:
- SelfDesign Learning Community – A technology-enabled kindergarten to grade 12 school and a
designated independent B.C. Provincial Online Learning School (I-POLS) - HomeLearners Network – A guided, online learning space for children and youth to connect with others and pursue dive into their passions
- SelfDesign Home Learning – A flexible option for those who wish to homeschool their children
SelfDesign Learning Foundation is a registered Canadian charity, incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in the province of British Columbia.
““The beauty of our philosophy is that it encourages each and every learner to develop and follow their own enthusiasms, trusting in their innate ability to learn from what we call a curriculum of life experiences. It supports them as designers of their own personalized learning journey.”
– River Meyer,
SelfDesign’s former Director of Organizational Learning
Discover our foundation
We believe that learning is a lifelong, self-authored journey that is continuous, ageless and unlimited. We look at learning as a spiral. Watch the video to learn more about who we are, our story and what we can offer you.
Discover our foundation
We believe that learning is a lifelong, self-authored journey that is continuous, ageless and unlimited. We look at learning as a spiral. Watch the video to learn more about who we are, our story and what we can offer you.
Our Values
![Brent Cameron – seashore](https://dev.www.selfdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/brent-cameron-seashore-e1720870836229.x93342.jpg)
Our Story
Our history began with Brent Cameron’s vision of creating an alternative and personalized learning experience for his daughter. In 1984, he turned his vision into reality by founding what is now the SelfDesign Learning Foundation. Brent’s daughter Ilana grew up near Creston, B.C. Brent and his wife Maureen loved watching their child grow and take her first steps in exploring their home and environment. The couple noticed, as most new parents and guardians do, how learning came naturally to Ilana. With encouragement rather than direct instruction, young children learn how to walk, talk, and more. Brent and Maureen realized that parenting meant tuning into Ilana’s natural rhythms, interests and desires, coming from a place of mutual respect where natural learning could be fostered.
They watched Ilana bloom.
![Brent Cameron – seashore](https://dev.www.selfdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/brent-cameron-seashore-e1720870836229.x93342.jpg)
Our Story
Our history began with Brent Cameron’s vision of creating an alternative and personalized learning experience for his daughter. In 1984, he turned his vision into reality by founding what is now the SelfDesign Learning Foundation. Brent’s daughter Ilana grew up near Creston, B.C. Brent and his wife Maureen loved watching their child grow and take her first steps in exploring their home and environment. The couple noticed, as most new parents and guardians do, how learning came naturally to Ilana. With encouragement rather than direct instruction, young children learn how to walk, talk, and more.
““Learning isn’t something that happens when a child reaches a certain age, but when there is an intuitive need for knowledge. When they are allowed to learn at their own rate, what they are truly curious about, they are in a natural state of love and learning is effortless…I love that SelfDesign honours our individual approach to learning.”
– Shelly, Parent