Grad Info
Welcome to your graduating year!
“Open different doors, you may find a you there that you never knew was yours. Anything can happen.”
― Mary Poppins
This year is the final chapter in your secondary school story. It is a year for wrapping up loose ends, planning for next steps, and, of course, celebrations. For the most part, you’ve all had similar paths from kindergarten to grade 12. However, at the end of this school year your paths will diverge. The transition from public school to your post-secondary years takes planning. The PHSS staff are here to help you as you prepare next steps.
One suggestion I have for all students is: Envision what your first year after high school looks like. Do you imagine travelling? Living in dorms? Moving to a new city or town? Staying close to home? Working? Use that vision as your guide and be aware of any hurdles or changes you’ll encounter this year which may prevent that dream from becoming a reality. Remember, you don’t have to decide what you are going to do for the rest of your life. You just have to decide what you will do next.”
The following is a list of helpful information and resources for graduating students and their families.
Graduation Requirements
Students require a minimum of 80 credits to graduate.
52 required credits + 28 elective credits = 80 graduation credits
Grade 12 Requirements
In grade 12, you must have 3 grade 12 electives, English 12 and Career Life Connections (or Grad Transitions). See the ministry website for more specific information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/graduation
This year, students will write the Literacy 12 Assessment. This does not count towards grades but is a graduation requirement and something that is viewed on UBC applications.
Career Life Connections – You must complete CLC12 in order to graduate. Mr. Vallee is teaching this class. Please see him for more information. dvallee@sd46.bc.ca
Career and Post-Secondary Planning
Education Planner is a planning tool and application hub for post-secondary schools. You can open up a profile at any time and begin your applications now www.educationplanner.bc.ca.
Blueprint Builder is a tool for exploring you interests, post-secondary and career options https://www.workbc.ca/BlueprintBuilder
Work BC is a searchable database of occupations and information: http://www.workbc.ca/.
Private career training institutions can be searched through private postsecondary: Private Post-Secondary.
School finder is another site available online: http://www.schoolfinder.com/
Education Planner.org educationplanner.org (it’s different than education planner.bc).
Careers Related to the Environment: http://www.eco.ca.
Careers Related to the Arts: http://www.studentartguide.com/articles/art-careers-list
Careers with Bachelor of Arts Degree, Science Degree, Business Degree: http://www.academicinvest.com/arts-careers, http://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers, http://www.academicinvest.com/business-careers.
Gap Year – . Mygapyear: http://www.mygapyear.ca provides resources for Canadians taking a year off.
Trades – see the SD46 Career page for more info.
Note: Many professional programs require some previous post-secondary experience. For example, to become a secondary teacher, you must complete a bachelor’s degree first then do a teaching program.
Post-Secondary School Requirements & Deadlines
Each institution and program have unique application start and end dates. When you look into a program check off the following
Check application deadlines (Most applications opened on October 1st)
Review requirements for the program you are interested in
Review financial aid or post-secondary scholarship options
Gather references if needed
College Transfer – http://www.bctransferguide.ca/search/course This is a website to help you see if the course you’re taking at one college or university will transfer to another college or university. This is helpful if you plan to do one or two years at a college and then transfer to a university.
Ontario – OUAC: http://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/,
Alberta – https://www.applyalberta.ca
Transcripts and Student Transcripts Service – you will be required to provide documentation of your grades and progress in school. This will be in the form of transcripts and self-reporting. Each school will explain what is needed for their programs and when they are do.
Unofficial Transcripts – See Mrs. Sumner and get an unofficial transcript. The schools you apply to will have specific instructions for submission.
Self-reporting – some post-secondary schools require that applicants self-report their grades before the application deadline. This helps provide a snapshot of grades before applications close and classes are completed. Follow the format as determined by the school you are applying to
Student Transcripts Service – Official Transcripts – http://StudentTranscripts.gov.bc.ca – you will need to register a BCeID using your PEN number. Then follow the instructions on the website. If you need help, see Mrs. Sumner. Note that you can send up to twenty-five transcripts for free while in high school.