We support your child in following their dreams and pursuing their passions
Your child will follow the B.C. Ministry of Education curriculum in a unique way. Your child is at the centre of their learning journey so they choose their own path towards meeting Ministry competencies.
You and your child work one-on-one with a B.C.-certified educator and develop a learning plan that is based on your child’s unique interests and passions.
We offer incredible support and resources to help them succeed every step of the way, including through graduation and pursuing post-secondary education.
Your child..
- Is at the centre of their learning journey so they choose their own path towards meeting B.C. Ministry competencies
- Works one-on-one with a B.C. certified educator, also known as a Learning Consultant (from kindergarten to Grade 12). Together, you develop a learning plan that is based on your child’s unique interests and passions.
- Can graduate with a Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma), Adult Graduation Diploma or School Completion (Evergreen) Certificate.
- Can access integrated personalized support services if they have special needs
- Will have Indigenous learning opportunities so they can understand the world and its relations through a framework of Indigenous wisdom and philosophy.
- Has access to the SelfDesign Learning Experiences Library, a dynamic collection of resources, questions, suggestions and inspirations sparked by the curiosity of our learners and offered in integrated interest-based experiences.
- Has access to many opportunities to interact with their peers online, and through in-person events.
- Can still enrol in our K-12 program through our partnership with Cognia, if you live outside of British Columbia, including residents of the United States. For more information, please send a message to info@selfdesign.org.
“At SelfDesign, I always felt supported by my learning consultants and by the wider community. There was always a way to create the kind of learning experience I wanted while still meeting the requirements to go on to university after graduation, as was my plan.”
– Madelaine, SelfDesign Learner
How our school works
Children know how to learn; they were born knowing how to learn. If they follow their passions and are supported in doing that, they become powerful learners – the learners they were always meant to be. Find out more about how our school works from our educators and members of our principal’s team.
![Little girl waving to greet on a video call with her smiling teacher, tutor or parent via webcam on a laptop at home. Virtual online connection for distance learning or homeschool during the pandemic](https://dev.www.selfdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/child-zoom-meeting.x93342.jpg)
How we assess your child’s learning
Instead of traditional reporting, we assess learning through a process we call Observing for Learning. Your B.C. certified educator participates in an ongoing weekly conversation with you and your child. Your educator will ensure that your child is accessing the B.C. curriculum requirements.
What is Observing for Learning?
In the Observing for Learning process, you observe and reflect on your child’s learning on a weekly basis.This could include talking about learning activities, the learner’s engagement, or their emotional response to learning during that week. Your educator then responds, reflects and shares in observing, and also matches your child’s learning with the B.C. curriculum.
What to expect in each grade
What to expect in each grade
![Children jumping at sunset](https://dev.www.selfdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/four-kids-jumping.x93342.jpg)
Kindergarten to grade 7
From kindergarten to Grade 7, we have developed a B.C. certified educational program that allows the unique spirit of your child to evolve naturally, today and into the future. Our offerings speak both to the playful spirit of the child and the emerging maturity of the young person.
Grades 8 and 9
Grade 8 and 9 at SelfDesign Learning Community follows a similar program to kindergarten to Grade 7 with the addition of workshops that are either theme-related or personal development-related.
![Smiling father and son using digital gadgets in living room](https://dev.www.selfdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/father-son-coworking-computer.x93342.jpeg)
![Group of multiracial teen college friends having fun outdoors. Happy people taking selfie.](https://dev.www.selfdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/teenagers-group-hug.x93342.jpg)
Grades 10-12
Grade 10 to 12 learning follows the B.C. curriculum and SelfDesign Learning Community’s personalized learning approach.
Courses are grouped and integrated into a theme, which is a subject your child is interested in such as Travel and Adventure, Storytelling, or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math)
Graduating from SelfDesign
Your child has the same opportunity to graduate as a learner in brick-and-mortar (traditional classroom-based) schools. Your child can apply to post-secondary institutions to further their education and work toward a future professional career. We support your child in achieving their goal of completion in the way that best suits them.
- B.C. Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma)
- British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma (BCAGD or “Adult Dogwood” Diploma)
- School Completion (“Evergreen”) Certificate
![www.johnnyliuphoto.com](https://dev.www.selfdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/three-graduating-students.x93342.jpg)
Commencement at SelfDesign – Through the Learners’ Eyes
SelfDesign has changed the lives of many learners by allowing them to be their true authentic selves and doing things in a way that works best for them individually. Find out more about why learners choose SelfDesign.