Correspondence schools and virtual schools

Independent Learning Centre (ILC)

www.ilc.org
Telephone: 1-800-387-5512 or (416) 484-2704 between 1pm and 5pm
Service in French is available by calling 1-800-265-0454 or 416-484-2722.

New as of fall 2004: the ILC now offers elementary courses for homeschoolers in addition to the high-school credit courses previously offered. Elementary grade homeschoolers can register if they provide a letter from the school board (i.e. a reply to the notification of intent to homeschool). Elementary students are expected to complete the work of an entire grade within a year and to turn assignments in on time.

Homeschooled students under 16 can enrol in ILC high school courses, for example Grade 9 & 10 courses (provided they have prerequisites if required). Students under 16 requesting secondary credit courses, need to use Enrolment Form A. Students are not limited to one course at a time. An additional course can be requested after the ILC has recorded a passing mark for the first unit of the first course. Further courses can be requested after a passing mark has been recorded for unit one of the previous course.

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Avon Maitland Distance Education Centre (AMDEC)

Michael Ash, Principal of Distance Education
Website: www.amdec.ca

AMDEC is the Avon Maitland District School Board's on-line school. They provide:
a) Ontario Secondary School credit courses for students wishing to complete their high school diploma on-line;
b) Guidance and Career counselling to assist students in making academic choices;
c) The option for students to begin courses at any time during the school year between September and mid-February, and complete courses at their own speed (within established minimum and maximum work completion rates);
d) E-textbook support, allowing for material and resources to be available on-line for many of the courses offered
e) Certified Ontario teachers to teach all courses and
f) A wide variety of co-curricular activities and remediation.

New as of Fall 2007: Recent changes in government directives regarding attendance registers have led to a new enrolment policy for AMDEC. It is now necessary for the student to be enrolled at his/her local high school, the principal of which will need to sign forms granting permission for the student to take the AMDEC courses. The local high school will hold the OSRs and AMDEC will forward the grades. The local school will also receive the funding for the student and must transfer a designated amount of it to AMDEC to cover the e-learning courses. As of this writing (Sept. 2007) there is still much confusion and lack of information on the part of principals as well as homeschoolers, but we will update this webpage once we have the final information. Meanwhile, you can call Elanor Salmond of AMDEC if you have any concerns or questions. She and her 3 staff members are fielding calls at 519-527- 0111 or 1-800-592-5437 ext.140. There is also a yahoogroup for AMDEC parents, where the new registration process is being discussed: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/amdecparents/

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Bishop Strachan School

298 Lonsdale Rd.
Toronto, ON M4V 1X2 Canada
Main Phone Number: 416-483-4325
Main Fax: 416-481-5632
Email: Strachan@ (add bss.on.ca to complete the email address)
Director of Admissions: Dorothy Davis, admissions@ (add bss.on.ca to complete the email address)
Website: www.bss.on.ca

Established in 1867 as a girls' school, BSS is now making courses available online to students of both genders across Ontario. The new online program, which launches in September 2005, allows students to earn Ontario high school credits from home.

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Canada College

53 Kimbark Crescent
Markham, Ontario L3R 8P5
Telephone: 1.416.858.9906 (9AM to 8PM EST)
E-mail: admissions@ (add Learning.ca to complete the email address)
Website: www.learning.ca

An accredited, inspected, independent high school offering Ontario credit courses for high school students world-wide. Registrations are accepted year round. Students complete courses within 16 weeks. Flexible, academic, online learning through project-based, interactive, small group instruction. "Our Vision is to enrich learning, promote equality, embrace global cultural diversity, and to foster world class leadership among our student body."

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District School Board Ontario North East ~ Virtual Learning Centre

Telephone: (705) 232-8093
Website: www.virtualcentre.ca

Provides on-line Ontario high school credit courses for Grades 9 to 12. Courses are from the old and new curriculum. The Ontario government is funding these courses so transcripts are kept. There are no costs except for resources such as books and CDs and most costs are refundable on return of the items. Registration is by the semester and assignments must be completed within certain timelines.

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Durham Board of Education ~ Durham Virtual Campus

Website: www.durhamvc.org

Offers on-line high school level credit courses that meet the requirements for a diploma in Ontario. Registration is by semester. Individuals can learn wherever and whenever, at their own pace, under the facilitation of an instructor. Students can dialogue with each other and with their instructor. Also offers Continuing Education Courses.

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Independent Learning Centre (ILC)

www.ilc.org
Telephone: 1-800-387-5512 or (416) 484-2704 between 1pm and 5pm
Service in French is available by calling 1-800-265-0454 or 416-484-2722.

The Independent Learning Centre (ILC) provides a wide range of distance education courses that allow individuals to earn secondary school diploma credits, upgrade basic skills or study for personal development. You can obtain services directly from ILC or from one of the access sites in your area.

Students under 16 requesting secondary credit courses, need to use Enrolment Form A.

Students are not limited to one course at a time. An additional course can be requested after the ILC has recorded a passing mark for the first unit of the first course. Further courses can be requested after a passing mark has been recorded for unit one of the previous course.

Courses delivered in French are also available if you are eligible — enter the French version of the site to see which courses are offered in that language. You are eligible if you can answer "yes" to any of the following questions:

• Is French the first language learned and still understood by one of your parents?
• Has one of your parents received his/her primary school education in French in Canada?
• Have you received or are you receiving instruction in French in a French-language school or unit?
• Do you have a brother or sister who has received or is receiving instruction in French in a French-language school or unit in Canada?

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Ottawa Carleton E-School (OCES)

Administration Office
201-993 Notre-Dame Street
P.O. Box 277
Embrun, ON K0A 1W0
Phone: 1-866-32-LEARN (1-866-325-3276)
Fax: 1-888-230-7592
Email: info@ (add ottawacarletone-school.ca to complete the email address)
Website: www.ottawacarletone-school.ca

Accredited Internet high school. Flexible scheduling and flexible completion times for all courses (up to 12 months). Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credit for each course completed successfully. Equivalency credits available to mature students.

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Toronto District School Board ~ Virtual High School

Website: www.tdsbvirtualschool.ca

The Toronto District School Board hosts a virtual High School. They currently offer 17 courses including transfer, cross-over and full credit programs. The Virtual School provides students with online access to credit courses, tutorials, curricular support, IT Training programs and Certification bundles. In addition, the Virtual School provides online access to Guidance support, including access to private sector and community-based grants and awards criteria, Library and Learning Resources, and Health Resources. Access is via the internet and students can accomplish this from anywhere in the world. The courses are supported by fully qualified teachers who encourage, support and evaluate the students. Students receive one-on-one support. Registration is by the semester.

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Trillium Lakelands District School Board ~ Virtual Learning Centre

Website: www.virtuallearning.ca

Provide on-line secondary level credit courses that count towards the high school diploma. Students login to their registered course and proceed with the course work. They can work on course material at any time and from anywhere.

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Virtual High School

Website: www.virtualhighschool.com

Offers Ontario secondary students innovative on-line learning tools and interactive courseware. Students can obtain fully accredited high school courses towards their high school diploma. Classes begin on your computer at your convenience and you proceed through the courses at your own pace.

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General Education Development (GED)

Direct inquiries regarding GED testing in Ontario to
the Independent Learning Centre (ILC)
Phone: (416) 325-3364 or 1-800-573-7022
Website: www.ilc.org

The GED is an international testing program for adults who have not completed high school. It is available in all Canadian provinces and territories, in all of the United States, and in several other countries. In Ontario, the testing is administered by the ILC and allows adults to earn the Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate which is issued by the Ministry of Education. The GED test consists of five tests in core high school subject areas: writing, social studies, science, literature/arts and mathematics. This test can only be written in Ontario by Ontario residents who are 18 years of age or older and who have been out of school for at least one year. According to the ILC website, "Candidates who are 18 years old must provide documentation that they have not attended a regular high school for at least one year. Home-school candidates must provide a letter from their Board of Education indicating that they have been home-schooled." Please note that the Certificate is not equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) but the certificate can be used as one factor in admission requirements for mature students when applying to a college or university or when seeking employment.

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Granton Institute of Technology

263 Adelaide Street West,
Toronto, Ontario M5H 9Z9
Telephone: (416) 977-3929,
Fax: (416) 977-5612
Email: info@ (add grantoninstitute.com to complete the email address)
Website: www.grantoninstitute.com

Offers learn-at-home Certificate and Diploma courses; call and request a free Career Opportunities Guide; offers a "high school diploma course" for mature students (as far as we can tell, this does not lead to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma -- OSSD -- but serves as preparation for the GED); visit the website to view course offerings.

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Fraser Valley Distance Education School

Peter Brown, Principal
49520 Prairie Central Road,
Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 6H3
Email: pbrown@ (add rainbow.fvrcs.gov.bc.ca to complete the email address)
Telephone: 1-800-663-3381 or (604) 794-7310
Fax: (604) 795-8480
General Email: info@ (add rainbow.fvrcs.gov.bc.ca to complete the email address)
Website: www.fvrcs.gov.bc.ca

Fraser Valley is a Distance Educational Facility serving School Districts in the Fraser Valley, across the Province of B.C. and around the World. There are five programs available: full-time elementary; full-time secondary; in-school secondary; out-of-school secondary and adults. On-line programs are available for elementary students using the CoNNect Program. Secondary students take the OSCAR courses through the Open School. The Successmaker Program offers over 30 curriculum-based courses offering thousands of hours of interactive learning in reading, language arts, math, science and life-skills development.

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Northstar Canada

Box 1405,
Didsbury, Alberta T0M 0W0
Phone: 1-877-335-1171 or (403) 335-9587
Fax: (403) 335-9513
Email: cdninfo@ (add northstar-academy.org to complete the email address)
Website: www.northstar-academy.org

Northstar is a Canadian evangelical Christian on-line school for students in grades 7-12 using the internet.

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Thomson Education Direct

Enrollment Information: Telephone: 1-888-427-2400
Email info@educationdirect.com
Website: www.edudirect-canada.com/

Thomson Education Direct has programs for receiving a High School Diploma as well as courses for higher education studies once individuals have their high school diploma.  Education offers students the ability to study in their homes, at their pace, and on their schedule. Students have the option to study on-line or through the mail from a variety of distance learning programs.

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Bridgeway Academy

Home School Academy
334 2nd Street, Catasauqua, PA 18032-2501
Phone: 1-800-863-1474
Email: office@ (add homeschoolacademy.com to complete the email address)
Website: www.bridgewayacademy.com

For grades K-12. Uses curriculum from ACE--School of Tomorrow and Alpha Omega (Christian). Tuition fees include a complete individualized, mastery based, package of curriculum in Math, English, Science, Social Studies and Word Building. Additional elective courses are available at a 20% discount. Placement tests allow parents to develop an individualized curriculum plan in collaboration with one of the academy's academic advisors. Also offers achievement tests, grade reports, transcript records, lending library.

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Calvert School

105 Tuscany Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21210
Telephone: 1-888-487-4652
Fax: (410) 366-0674
Email: inquiry@ (add calvertschool.org to complete the email address)
Website: www.calvertschool.org

A non-denominational independent elementary school that also provides curriculum for home instruction of children around the world for Pre-K to Grade 8; can view the curriculum on-line or request a copy be mailed for specific grade levels; can purchase on-line.

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Clonlara School

1289 Jewett, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Telephone: (734) 769-4511
Fax: (734) 769-9629
Email: info@ (add clonlara.org to complete the email address)
Website: www.clonlara.org

Clonlara has a campus school program in Ann Arbor but also provides distance education in elementary and secondary programs. Graduates of Clonlara have been accepted at many colleges/universities in the U.S. (see the Clonlara website for an extensive list) as well as the following schools in Canada: Fanshawe College in London; John Abbot College in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec; Queen’s University in Kingston; University of Western Ontario in London and Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.

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Global Student Network

2657 Windmill Parkway #142
Henderson, NV, 89074 , USA
phone: 702-300-1707
fax: 702-920-8977
website: www.globalstudentnetwork.com

U.S.-based online program, comprehensive curriculum for grades 2 through 12. Unlimited online courses for one full calendar year. Audio component option available for all courses plus up-to-date video clips in many courses. Delivered completely via the internet - no CDs to purchase, no programs to download. Aligned to (U.S.) National Curriculum Standards.

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Home Study International

P.O. Box 4437, Silver Spring, MD 20914-4437
Telephone: (301) 680-6570
Fax: (301) 680-5157
Website: www.hsi.edu

HSI is a Christian distance education provider. They offer curriculum for grades Preschool up to Grade 12. They also offer college level courses. You can view the catalogue of courses available online or call and request a copy for the various grade levels.

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Learning by Grace academies

www.learningbygrace.org - main site

• Jubilee Academy
• Grace Academy
• Morningstar Academy
• Victory Math Academy
• The SAT Acadmy
• E-SchoolHouse

Several Christian online academies for preschool to grade 12. You can also start your own academy.

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North Atlantic Regional Schools (NARS)

www.NARHS.org
Administrator: Steve Moitozo
Telephone: 207 - 777 - 1600

NARS is a fully accredited private school in Maine that grants high school diplomas to homeschoolers who do their work at home in their own way.

We now have a policy which allows Canadians a chance to register with our school. Here are the requirements. (They may be somewhat inconvenient, but this is the only process we currently have.)

========= POSITIVE ID and VERIFICATION =========

Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, our school has not accepted any non-US-citizens. It appears that we can now work with Canadian students if one of the following conditions is met. There are two options:

OPTION ONE: "In person"

The Canadian student may come to Maine and appear to us in person with a photo ID so we can verify his or her identity. To some Canadians this may seem extreme, but we are only 4 hours from the Canadian border, and we are only a 6-hour drive from Montreal.

OPTION TWO: "Notarized ID"

(1) The student must obtain a Canadian Passport. NO exceptions.

(2) A high-quality photocopy of the passport photo page must be made.

(3) The photocopy and the original passport must be taken to a Canadian Notary with the passport holder in person.

(4) The Notary will verify the identity of the passport holder (and he may require that the passport holder appearing before him sign a statement of authenticity).

(5) The Notary will then attest to the true identity of the signer, the Notary signs a statement stating so, and the Notary dates and seals the statement with his Notary seals.

(6) The Notary¹s statement on the photocopy is then mailed to NARS with the Registration Form and the tuition payment.

NOTES:

(a) Notary services are found in many places, such as banks, city hall, accountants, attorneys, etc. There is customarily a fee for Notary services, but some waive the fee if the family has an account with that business.

(b) Obtaining a passport takes time and costs money. But, passports are good for years and years, so the effort and money are fairly good investments.

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Oak Meadow

Oak Meadow School
PO Box 1346, Brattleboro, VT 05302
Phone: 802-251-7250
Email: info@ (add oakmeadow.com to complete the email address)
Website: www.oakmeadow.com

Oak Meadow offers curriculum materials — complete packages, individual courses, teacher manuals — for Grades PreK to Grade 12. They also have available on-line programs for Grade 6 to 12 along with teacher support. Correspondence programs are available for Grades K to 12 which includes printed materials, teacher support and portfolio evaluations. Call or email and request a free catalogue.

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The Trent Schools

Website: www.theschools.com/trent_online.htm

Trent curricula follow the United States federal guidelines for education. Standard and Honors Diplomas awarded upon graduation. Courses delivered online. Grades 1 to 12, also a Gifted program and a program for professional children (e.g. actors, athletes).

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