Home Education in British Columbia

Before approaching any school board, we highly recommend that you know your family's educational philosophy. As you decide how best to educate your child, having a 'game plan' of sorts can help in your decision making. If you need help, we have some great recommended resources to help you determine what will work best for you and your family.

BC has 2 main types of alternative education; online learning and homeschooling. 

 

British Columbia Online Learning:

Unlike the name suggests, online learning does not have to be online. Instead, it simply refers to education that is taught by a certified BC teacher that conforms to the BC curriculum, but does not have to follow an in-person school schedule. You can enrol with a public or independent online school. Teachers and students work together to fulfill learning plan goals. More information on online schooling in BC can be found here, and a list of the 37 Provincial Online Learning Schools can be found here.

 

British Colombia Homeschooling:

Homeschooling is an alternative to the BC Educational system. You are not supervised by a certified teacher. You are also able to teach your children what you think is best. While you can look to the BC curriculum for ideas, you are not obligated to follow it. Homeschoolers are not able to receive a BC Certificate of Graduation. However, High-school aged students are able to take courses for credit while keeping their homeschooler status. You may be able to access some supplies and resources through the school you register with. More information on homeschooling as defined in BC can be found here.

If you are struggling to decide what is best for your family, don't worry. The Government of BC Website has a brief overview on clasroom alternatives. There are also many other pages that you can browse to find more information.

To conform to BC's educational laws it is important that you either enrol in a school or online learning program, or register as a homeschooler. The deadline is September 30th of each year, and this process must be repeated every year. 

Taking charge of your child's education is a big decision, and we know that there is a lot of information out there. Hopefully this is able to give you a jumping off point as you delve into the world of homeschooling in BC. We encourage you to find support groups that can assist you, and to talk to other homeschoolers who have gone through this process already. You can do this!

While we cannot choose your curriculum for you, we encourage you to browse our website to find a variety of educational options that will suit you and your family.