Online Course Protocol

At WGSS we believe in the value of in-person learning. We know that when students have the opportunity to interact with their peers and they are part of a learning community, they are more likely to find success in their courses. We have found that many students are not successful and do not complete courses when they are working independently online. The majority of students do not complete their online courses.

We do recognize that there are times when a student and their family make the decision to have their child enroll in an online course. The following recommendations and procedures need to be observed as students enroll in online classes:

1. WGSS does not register students in online courses. Students and families are responsible for enrolling in an online course, if they choose to do so. Please see “Online Service Options” section below.
2. We strongly recommend that students who enrol in online courses meet with their assigned counsellor to determine the potential impact and outcome of taking an off-campus course. This includes ensuring that graduation requirements can still be met and that a student is not disadvantaging themselves for any post-secondary programs or courses.
3. Students and families need to be aware that post-secondary institutions have different deadlines for reporting completion of online courses. For example, some universities may require 100% course completion by January 31^st. Please check with post-secondary institutions to ensure the course will be counted for admission, if necessary.
4. Students cannot be enrolled in the same course on-line and at WGSS
5. For a variety of reasons, WGSS strongly recommends that students take English 12 and Career Life Connections/Capstone 12 at WGSS.
6. French Immersion students cannot take any French Immersion courses online. They must be taken at WGSS.
7. WGSS students are required to have a full timetable at WGSS. Grade 11 and 12 students can apply for a study block; however, study blocks are not guaranteed just because a student is taking an online course.
8. If a student enrols in an online course to get ahead and to make more room for academic courses at WGSS, the course needs to be completed by May 15^th so that course requests can be adjusted and so that we can try to accommodate the student in the new course that they may wish to take (For example, a student might complete a Science 10 course online and might want to take Chemistry 11 at WGSS). While we try to accommodate such requests (if the course is completed and we are notified of the request by May 15^th) we cannot guarantee that a student will get that course in their timetable. Requests received after the May 15^th deadline are unlikely to be possible.
9. Online courses and any associated requirements for supervising online assessments cannot be supported by WGSS staff.
10. Upon course completion, students and parents are responsible for ensuring that the course is noted on the student transcript. WGSS does not monitor the progress of online courses.