recent news

Programs of Choice for the 2020-21 School Year

Program options allow students to explore their specific interests and passions in greater depth. These include language and arts programs, sports academies, programs for highly able learners, summit programs, and an AP Capstoneprogram.

Register for these programs at your school before Thursday, February 27 for priority placement for Fall 2020. Learn more about registration.

SECONDARY PROGRAMS OF CHOICE

Read our feature.

EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT

Advanced Placement Courses
Attend any secondary school
AP courses offered to Grades 10-12 students provide highly motivated learners with the opportunity to take university-level academic courses. Note earlier application deadline. Learn more.

AP Capstone
Attend Burnaby North or Burnaby South
The AP Capstone™ program provides students in Grades 11 & 12 rigorous development of the skills that are critical for post-secondary success. Note earlier application deadline. Learn more.

BETA Mini School 
Attend Alpha
Highly able learners in Grades 8-12 are challenged in an inclusive environment of intellectual peers. Learn more.

Business Summit
Attend any secondary school
In partnership with the BCIT School of Business, students in Grades 9-12 explore the world of business, while fulfilling graduation requirements. Talk to your school principal for more information.

ConnEx
Attend Burnaby Mountain
Grade 9 students explore ideas, curriculum, and local surroundings. Working in Social Studies, English, Physical & Health Education, and Science, they make cross-curricular connections with an emphasis on experiential activities. Learn more.

Engineering Summit
Attend Cariboo Hill
Students in Grades 10-12 explore the world of engineering while fulfilling graduation requirements.  Learn more.

French Immersion
Attend Alpha, Cariboo Hill or Moscrop 
Graduates receive a bilingual designation on their high school diploma. Learn more.

Health Sciences
Attend any secondary school
Grades 11 & 12 students are supported in their transition to post-secondary education in the field of health care through simulations and program-specific labs held at Moscrop Secondary. Travel to Moscrop Secondary is required. Learn more.

Independent Directed Studies
Attend any secondary school
Students in Grades 10, 11 or 12 pursue a specific interest in greater depth and receive credit towards graduation. Learn more.

Rethink 
Attend Burnaby North
Students engage in learning opportunities with community partners to create projects, research and develop solutions to large challenges, issues, or problems beyond the walls of the school. Learn more.

STEAM
Attend Byrne Creek
A multi-disciplinary project-based exploration in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics for Grade 8 students. Talk to your school principal for more information.

TECHNOLOGY

Cisco Networking Academy
Attend any secondary school
Students in Grades 11 & 12 work toward industry certification while learning about computer hardware and software. Travel to Burnaby South Secondary is required. Academic requirements are met at the student’s home school. Learn more.

DigiPen Game Development Academy
Attend Cariboo Hill
In partnership with the Digipen Institute of Technology, students in Grades 8-12 gain valuable hands-on experience in game design and production. Learn more.

Film & Broadcast
Attend any secondary school
Grades 11 & 12 students gain experience and connect with industry employers, all while receiving comprehensive training and developing a portfolio that supports post-secondary application or employment. Travel to Burnaby North is required. Academic requirements are met at the student’s home school. Learn more.

Graphics & Media Arts
Attend any secondary school
Grades 11 & 12 students select courses in: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign, After Effects, Flash, Final Cut Pro, and ProTools. Travel to Byrne Creek Secondary is required. Academic requirements are met at the student’s home school. Learn more.

Microsoft Office Specialist
Attend Cariboo Hill
Students in Grades 8-12 receive globally recognized certification in this office standard desktop publishing suite. Learn more.

Music Production & Technology
Attend any secondary school
Aspiring musicians, singers, and producers in Grades 11 or 12 compose, perform and produce professional quality recordings. Travel to Burnaby North Secondary is required. Academic requirements are met at the student’s home school. Learn more.

Palo Alto Cyber Security Academy
Attend any secondary school
In partnership with Palo Alto Networks, a leading cyber security company, Grades 10-12 students receive globally recognized industry certification. Travel to Cariboo Hill Secondary is required. Academic requirements are met at the student’s home school. Learn more.

Robotics (Mechatronics)
Attend any secondary school
This project-based technology program is open to students in Grades 10, 11 & 12 who are aspiring to become programmers, designers, or engineers. Travel to Alpha Secondary is required. Academic requirements are met at the student’s home school. Learn more.

CAREER TRAINING

Baker (Pastry Arts)  
Fitness Instructor  
Hairstylist  
Professional Cook  
Tourism & Event Management  
Attend any secondary school
Students in Grades 11 & 12 are given the opportunity to explore a potential career during their high school years. They earn industry certification, develop a professional portfolio, or work toward apprenticeship. Students may be required to travel to another school, with academic requirements met at their home school. Learn more.

TRADES

Skills & Technologies Exploration 
Various secondary schools
Students in Grades 9 & 10 explore various industries through hands-on projects. Areas of study include: Mechanics, Robotics, Electronics, Electrical, Carpentry, Metal Fabrication, Plumbing, 3D Printing, Cooking, Baking, Tourism, and Textiles. Learn more.

Industry Training Options:
Attend any secondary school
Auto Collision Repair Technician
Auto Refinishing Prep Technician
Automotive Service Technician
Cabinet Maker
Carpenter
Construction Electrician
Ironworker
Landscape Horticulturist
Metal Fabricator
Millwright
Motorcycle Mechanic
Painter & Decorator
Plumber
Sheet Metal Worker
Welder
Students in Grades 11 & 12 explore a potential career in trades, and receive post-secondary training leading to Level 1 Technical Certification followed by apprenticeship. Students may be required to travel to another school with academic requirements met at their home school. Learn more.

Youth Work in Trades (Apprenticeship)
Attend any secondary school
As apprentices, students age 15 and up earn graduation credits, wages, experience, and scholarship opportunities – all while still in school. Learn more.

ONLINE LEARNING

Burnaby Online
Attend any secondary school or exclusively online
Students engage in flexible learning opportunities at their own pace choosing core and elective courses at all grade levels. Learn more.

ARTS & ATHLETICS

Athletics and Visual & Performing Arts (AVPA)
Attend any secondary school
Artistic performers and athletes are given the ability to balance their practice and performance schedules with academics. Interested students should contact their school principal.

SPORTS ACADEMIES

Hockey Academies
Attend Burnaby North
High performance hockey training for students in Grades 8-12 with academic requirements met at the school. Learn more.

Attend Burnaby Central
Elite hockey training in partnership with the Burnaby Winter Club for students in Grades 8-12 with academic requirements met at the school. Learn more.

SFU Lacrosse Academy
Attend any secondary school
In partnership with Simon Fraser University and école Cariboo Hill Secondary, students in Grades 8-12 participate in high performance field lacrosse training held at SFU, with academic requirements met at their home school. Learn more.

SFU Soccer Academy
Attend any secondary school
In partnership with Simon Fraser University, this program offers high performance soccer training held at SFU. This is an option for any student in Grades 8-12 with academic requirements met at their home school. Learn more.

Volleyball Academy
Attend any secondary school
In partnership with Volleyball Canada, this individualized program focuses on an overall skill set, positional training, strength and conditioning at école Cariboo Hill Secondary. This is an option for any student in Grades 8-12 with academic requirements met at their home school. Learn more.


ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS OF CHOICE

LANGUAGES

Early French Immersion
Attend Aubrey, Brantford, Inman, Cascade Heights, Marlborough, Seaforth, or
Sperling & Westridge
Students entering Kindergarten or Grade 1 begin their school years fully immersed in the French language. It is an intensive and effective way for students to learn a new language and provides the opportunity for them to continue in the French Immersion stream through to Grade 12. Learn more.

Late French Immersion
Attend Armstrong, Capitol Hill or Marlborough
Grade 6 students, whose first language is not French, can choose to explore the language for two years, and then may opt to continue in the French Immersion stream through to Grade 12. Learn more.

Mandarin Language Arts
Attend Forest Grove

Beginning in Kindergarten or Grade 1 through to Grade 7, students develop Mandarin language skills – reading, writing and speaking Mandarin, while gaining an appreciation of the Chinese culture. The core curriculum is taught in English. Learn more.

ARTS

Education Through the Arts
Attend Confederation Park
The Arts are integrated into all areas and at all grade levels at Confederation Park Elementary. It is a unique educational program that integrates the Fine Arts strands of music, dance, visual arts, and drama with core academic subjects. Learn more.

EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT

Multi-Age Cluster Class
Attend Capitol Hill or Suncrest
MACC is an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based program for highly able learners seeking heightened cognitive and creative challenge in an inclusive and supportive community of intellectual peers.
Learn more.


Updated January 2020