What is “B.C. Graduation program”? Everything you need to know about it.
Written by Alexander Academy in Blog on August 18, 2022
At Alexander Academy, we strive for excellence, both in academics and personality. Our international diverse community, consisting of over 30 countries, makes us unique and the most sought-after private high school in Downtown Vancouver. We are dedicated to fostering compassion, open mindedness, competency and all-round development for our young graduates, who will set out to leave their impactful mark on the world.
Alexander Academy’s BC graduation program is certified by the province of British Columbia, it is also known as “British Columbia Dogwood Diploma”. This certification will equip our students and give them a head start at gaining entrance to a Canadian or any other international university of their choice.
International students studying at Alexander Academy will be awarded the BC Dogwood Diploma upon successfully completing all requirements of the program. This certificate is accepted across the globe and will act as a milestone for students wanting to continue their study at any Canadian or international universities around the world.
We have a high success rate of acceptance in universities like: The University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Queen’s University, University of Victoria, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, University of Waterloo and many more!
B.C. Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma) – Credit system
The B.C Certificate of Graduation, or Dogwood Diploma, is awarded to students who successfully complete the provincial graduation requirements. To graduate, students require at least 80 credits total.
52 credits are required from the following:
- Physical and Health Education 10 (4 credits)
- Science 10 (4 credits), and a Science 11 or 12 (4 credits)
- A Math 10 (4 credits), and a Social Studies 11 or 12 (4 credits)
- A Math 10 (4 credits), and a Math 11 or 12 course (4 credits)
- A Language Arts 10, 11, and a required 12 course (4 credits required at each Grade, 12 credits total)
- An Arts Education 10, 11, or 12 and/or an Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies 10, 11, or 12 (4 credits total)
- Career-Life Education (4 credits), and Career-Life Connections (4 credits).
- At least 28 credits must be elective course credits
- At least 16 credits must be at the Grade 12 level. Including a required Language Arts 12 course and the Career-Life Connections course
In addition, students must also complete three Provincial Graduation Assessments:
- Grade 10 Literacy Assessment;
- Grade 10 Numeracy Assessment; and
- Grade 12 Literacy Assessment
British Columbia’s curriculum model
British Columbia’s curriculum is designed to respond to the demand of the new and ever changing world our students are entering. With the help of experts from different fields the curriculum is molded to be learner-centered, flexible and maintain a focus on literacy and numeracy, while supporting deeper learning through concept-based and competency-driven approaches.
All areas of learning are based on a “Know-Do-Understand” model to support a concept-based competency-driven approach to learning
| Content (Know) | Curricular Competencies (Do) | Big Ideas (Understand) |
| The Content learning standards — the “Know” of the Know-Do-Understand model of learning — detail the essential topics and knowledge at each grade level. | The Curricular Competencies are the skills, strategies, and processes that students develop over time. They reflect the “Do” in the Know-Do-Understand model of learning. While Curricular Competencies are more subject-specific, they are connected to the Core Competencies. | The Big Ideas consist of generalizations and principles and the key concepts important in an area of learning. The big ideas represent what students will understand at the completion of the curriculum for their grade. They are intended to endure beyond a single grade and contribute to future understanding. |
The key features of BC’s Graduation curriculum
The key components of the curriculum model are
- Core Competencies
- Essential learning
- Literacy and numeracy foundations
- The Core Competencies
The Core Competencies are the intellectual, personal, and social skills that all students need to develop for success in life beyond school. BC has identified three Core Competencies – Communication, Thinking and Personal and Social Competency as essential for all learners.
Information on the Core Competencies, including profiles and illustrations, are available at https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/competencies
2. Essential learning
The curriculum for each subject area includes the essential learning for students, which represent society’s aspirations for BC’s educated citizens. The redesigned curriculum develops around key content, concepts, skills and big ideas that foster the higher-order thinking demanded in today’s world.
3. Literacy and numeracy foundations
Literacy is the ability to understand, critically analyze, and create a variety of forms of communication, including oral, written, visual, digital, and multimedia, in order to accomplish one’s goals.
Numeracy is the ability to understand and apply mathematical concepts, processes, and skills to solve problems in a variety of contexts. Literacy and numeracy are fundamental to all learning. While they are commonly associated with language learning and mathematics, literacy and numeracy are applied in all areas of learning.
Alexander high school believes in engaging students in different areas of academic learning and personal growth through this program. With the support of our highly qualified academy staff members, we ensure to create a technologically driven and creative learning space for you.
“ Good things come to people who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them” – Anonymous
For more information get in touch with our admissions team or Apply Online
Telephone: 604-687-8832
Fax: 604-687-8872
Email: info@alexanderacademy.ca
Web References:
https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/overview
Looking to start the application process? Apply to Alexander Academy here
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