FAQ’s

Welcome to West Coast Adventist Online School’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

At West Coast Adventist Online School, our mission is to provide a Christ-centred, teacher-directed online learning program where students and families partner with certified teachers to grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

For additional elementary information involving parental roles, please click here.
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General School

What is Online Learning?

Online learning is a flexible and accessible education model that allows students to complete their courses remotely using digital platforms. At WCAS, an Independent Provincial Online Learning School (POLS-I) in British Columbia, students have the opportunity to access high-quality education from anywhere, while meeting the learning outcomes set by the British Columbia Ministry of Education for their prescribed grade.

WCAS offers programs and courses developed by the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, augmented by direct teacher input to ensure they align with the K-12 BC curriculum. Students receive personalized instruction and support from certified teachers, allowing them to progress at their own pace. This model enables flexible learning, caters to diverse needs, and ensures that students receive a comprehensive education that meets provincial standards.

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What does it cost to take Online Education with WCAS?

For residents of British Columbia, there is no tuition fee, except for a yearly registration fee. BC residents who are temporarily traveling outside of the province for up to two years (and have not previously graduated) can also continue their studies without paying tuition.

Students living outside of British Columbia will be charged monthly tuition. If you reside in a province other than BC, please refer to our fee schedule for detailed information.

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Can students outside of British Columbia attend WCAS?

In many cases, yes.

WCAS serves students both within and outside of British Columbia, subject to program availability, residency requirements, tuition policies, and admissions review.

Families living outside of British Columbia are encouraged to connect with school administration to discuss eligibility and program options.

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Can our family travel while enrolled at WCAS?

In many cases, yes.

Students may continue learning while traveling, provided they remain actively engaged in their courses, attend required live classes when possible, maintain regular communication with teachers, and continue meeting program expectations.

Families planning extended travel should communicate with school administration in advance, particularly if travel may affect residency, scheduling, or student participation.

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How does WCAS build community among students online?

At West Coast Adventist Online School, community is an important part of the student experience. Students connect regularly through live Zoom classes, monthly school assemblies, reading buddies, student clubs, classroom activities, and special school-wide events throughout the year.

Our goal is for students to feel known, connected, and encouraged—not simply enrolled in online courses.

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Do you offer extracurricular activities?

Yes. Throughout the school year, WCAS offers optional student activities such as clubs, assemblies, leadership opportunities, and special community events. Offerings may vary from year to year based on student interest and staff availability.

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Do you host in-person student gatherings?

WCAS does not currently organize regular in-person student gatherings. However, many of our families connect through local homeschool communities, church events, and special occasions such as graduation and select church community events.

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Is WCAS an authorized BC online school?

WCAS is an Independent Provincial Online Learning School (POLS-I) authorized by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care.

Our BC-certified teachers deliver courses aligned with the British Columbia curriculum while integrating Seventh-day Adventist Christian values throughout the learning experience.

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Do students take Bible classes at WCAS?

Yes. Faith is an important part of life at West Coast Adventist Online School.

Full-time students participate in Encounter, our Christ-centred Bible course, as part of their regular learning program.

Students and families do not need to be Seventh-day Adventist to attend WCAS. However, families should understand that Christian faith, prayer, biblical values, and spiritual growth are intentionally woven throughout our school community.

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Can I transfer back to regular school after attending WCAS?

Yes, you can transfer back to a traditional classroom-based school at any time. The responsibility for aligning the curriculum during the transition will lie with the receiving school. Since both WCAS and traditional schools follow the BC Ministry of Education’s learning outcomes, the transition is generally smooth. Students living outside of BC should contact their new school to ensure a seamless transfer.

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Is WCAS a Good Fit?

How hands-on do parents need to be?

Parent involvement is an important part of student success at WCAS.

In the elementary years, parents or home facilitators play an active daily role in helping students stay organized, attend live classes, complete assignments, and build healthy learning routines.

As students grow in independence, particularly in middle and high school, parents continue to provide accountability, encouragement, communication, and support as needed.

WCAS works in partnership with families. We do not replace the role of the parent. We come alongside families.

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Is WCAS a good fit for every family?

WCAS is a teacher-directed online learning program built on partnership between students, families, and certified teachers.

Students who thrive at WCAS are generally willing to participate in live classes, communicate regularly with teachers, follow structured timelines, and engage meaningfully in their learning.

Parent or home facilitator involvement is an important part of student success, particularly in the elementary and middle years.

During the admissions process, we work with families to determine whether WCAS is a good fit for their goals, learning needs, and home learning environment.

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How do we know if WCAS is a good fit for our child?

A successful online learning experience depends on many factors, including a student’s learning needs, readiness for online instruction, ability to participate in live classes, family support, independence, communication, and the supports currently available within the school.

During the admissions process, we work with families to review these factors together and determine whether WCAS is well positioned to support student success.

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What is the difference between “home school” and “online learning”?

In British Columbia, a home school student is registered with a public or independent school, but the educational program is the full responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Home schooling is not supervised by a British Columbia certified teacher, is not required to meet provincial curriculum standards, and is not inspected by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care. Students who are registered as home school students are not eligible to receive a BC Dogwood Graduation Diploma through home schooling alone.

A student enrolled in an online learning school may also complete their learning from home. However, the educational program is supervised and directed by certified teachers, follows British Columbia curriculum requirements, and includes ongoing assessment, reporting, and permanent student records, just like students attending a classroom-based school.

When students successfully complete the BC graduation requirements through an online learning program, they are eligible to receive a BC Dogwood Graduation Diploma.

This is the program we provide.

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Can WCAS support students with diverse learning needs?

Every student is unique, and successful placement at West Coast Adventist Online School begins with determining whether our teacher-directed online learning model is a good fit for the student and their family.

During the admissions process, we take time to learn about each student’s strengths, challenges, learning preferences, support needs, and home learning environment.

We recognize that students learn in different ways, and that successful placement depends on the alignment between a student’s learning needs, family support, and the educational supports currently available within our program.

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Does WCAS support students with IEPs or learning support plans?

When a student’s learning needs align with the supports currently available at WCAS, and when appropriate documentation is available, the school may develop or support an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or other personalized learning supports in alignment with BC Ministry guidelines.

Available supports may include accommodations, flexible pacing, assistive technology, increased communication, targeted teacher support, or individualized learning goals, depending on student needs and available staffing.

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Does WCAS receive Inclusive Education funding?

In some cases, students with qualifying documentation may be eligible for additional supports through provincial Inclusive Education funding.

Support planning is guided by BC Ministry requirements, available documentation, collaborative consultation with families, and the educational supports available within the school.

Families are encouraged to connect with school administration early if they believe their child may require additional supports.

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Student Life & Expectations

How often do students receive report cards?

WCAS follows British Columbia reporting requirements.

Families receive regular communication, ongoing feedback, and formal progress reports throughout the school year.

High school students also receive course grades and transcript updates in alignment with BC graduation requirements.

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How does WCAS track attendance and engagement?

Student engagement at WCAS may include participation in live classes, assignment submissions, communication with teachers, demonstrations of learning, and ongoing progress in Brightspace.

Students are expected to remain actively engaged in their learning throughout the school year in accordance with BC Ministry requirements.

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What happens after my child is enrolled? How quickly do we need to begin?

Students are expected to begin engaging in their learning shortly after enrollment.

For students in Grades 10–12, including cross-enrolled students, students are expected to become active within four weeks of enrollment by logging in to Brightspace and submitting initial coursework, unless a later course start date has been communicated by the school.

For students in Kindergarten to Grade 9, engagement is established through participation in live classes, communication with teachers, and early evidence of learning during the onboarding period.

Getting started early helps students build momentum, connect with their teachers, and establish strong learning routines.

If your family anticipates a delayed start, please communicate with school administration as early as possible so we can review your situation together.

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What if my child needs to miss a live class?

We understand that appointments, illness, travel, and family circumstances may occasionally affect attendance.

If a student needs to miss a live class, families should communicate with the teacher as soon as possible. Students may be asked to complete alternate learning activities or follow-up assignments to remain engaged and on track.

Regular attendance remains an important part of student success in our teacher-directed program.

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What if my child needs extra academic support?

At West Coast Adventist Online School, we want students to succeed.

If a student is struggling academically, falling behind, or needing additional support, teachers may recommend tutorial sessions, one-on-one meetings, adjusted pacing plans, or additional communication with home facilitators.

Our goal is early support, clear communication, and helping students build confidence and independence.

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What happens if a student falls behind?

If a student begins falling significantly behind in a course, teachers and school staff will work with the student and family to develop a plan for success.

This may include additional check-ins, tutorial support, pacing adjustments, or, in some cases, a change in course delivery format.

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What happens if a student stops participating?

If a student stops attending live classes, submitting work, or communicating regularly, school staff will reach out to the student and family to provide support and help develop a plan for success.

Ongoing participation is required as part of British Columbia online learning expectations, and prolonged non-engagement may affect enrollment status, course completion, or access to certain program supports.

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How do final grades appear on a transcript?

Once a final grade has been submitted by the school office, students enrolled in British Columbia can view their updated transcript through the provincial Student Transcripts Service.

Families outside of British Columbia should consult their local school or education authority regarding transcript transfer procedures.

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What can families expect from WCAS teachers?

• Design and Deliver Curriculum: Develop and maintain Brightspace courses and resources that align with the BC curriculum to support diverse learning needs.
• Assess Student Work: Review and evaluate assignments, provide ongoing feedback, and facilitate live classes to enhance understanding.
• Report Progress: Prepare and share student progress reports based on BC Ministry of Education guidelines, transparency in student development.
• Facilitate Live Classes on Zoom: Lead engaging and interactive live classes for full-time students. Plan and host classes to reinforce curriculum content, build classroom community, and encourage active participation.
• Support Home Facilitators: Offer guidance, clarity and regular communication to parents/guardians to help them support their child’s learning effectively at home.

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What can teachers expect from home facilitators?

• Engage in Learning Plans: Collaborate with your child and their teacher to develop a personalized learning plan that aligns with student interests, BC Ministry guidelines, and WCAS expectations.
• Maintain Communication and Submit Evidence of Learning: Communicate regularly and meaningfully with your child’s teacher. Submit evidence of learning (e.g., completed assignments, photos, videos, or logs of activities) consistently and on time to support feedback, assessment, and reporting.
• Provide a Supportive Learning Environment: Ensure your child has access to necessary technology and a dedicated, distraction-free space to learn at home.
• Supervise Learning Activities: Oversee your child’s learning, especially when they are working independently or outside of live class time.

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What can teachers expect from students?

• Participate Actively: Engage in learning activities, attend required live Zoom classes (for synchronous courses), and contribute to class discussions.
• Share Your Learning: Communicate your interests, goals, and learning preferences with your teacher to help shape a meaningful and relevant learning experience.
• Complete Assignments on Time: Submit evidence of learning and assignments by the deadlines provided.
• Synchronous courses: Follow structured timelines and participate in scheduled live sessions.
• Asynchronous courses: Manage your time effectively to complete all coursework within one year of activation.
• Demonstrate Effort and Integrity: Always try your best, complete your own work honestly, and take pride in your learning journey.
• Follow Instructions Carefully: Read and/or listen to assignment directions thoroughly before beginning your work.
• Create a Productive Learning Environment: Take responsibility for helping to establish a consistent routine and a dedicated space for learning at home.
• Communicate Regularly: Stay in contact with your teacher about your progress, challenges, and achievements.

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Elementary Program

What does elementary online learning look like?

Elementary students at WCAS learn through a combination of live Zoom classes, guided learning activities in Brightspace, hands-on learning at home, and ongoing partnership between families and teachers.

Students participate in regular live instruction, complete learning activities throughout the week, and submit evidence of learning through Brightspace. Parents or home facilitators play an important role in helping students stay organized, engaged, and connected.

Our goal is to build strong academic foundations while nurturing curiosity, confidence, faith, and a love of learning.

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Where do we start?

Once enrollment is complete, elementary families begin by working through the Home Facilitator course, reviewing their live class schedule, and becoming familiar with Brightspace, Zoom, and school communication tools.

Your child’s homeroom teacher will help you get oriented and answer any questions as you begin.

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Do K–8 students at WCAS have to attend live Zoom classes?

Yes. Live Zoom classes are a required component of full-time enrollment at West Coast Adventist Online School (WCAS), particularly in synchronous courses. These online sessions provide direct instruction, class interaction, and real-time teacher support. Attendance is expected and contributes to student engagement and success.

Note: Additional courses are taken asynchronously to meet BC graduation requirements.

Live class schedules currently follow this structure:

Grades K–4:

• Foundations, Encounter — 2 live classes per week (required)

Grades 5–8:

• Foundations, Encounter, and Math — 3 live classes per week (required)

Additional required and optional opportunities:

• West Coast Wednesday monthly assembly focused on career and health learning activities (required)
• Weekly Tutorial Time (optional)

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Will learning materials be mailed to our home?

Most WCAS course materials are accessed online through Brightspace, where students access lessons, assignments, resources, and teacher feedback.

In some cases, elementary students may also receive physical learning materials, such as math workbooks or other course-specific resources, depending on grade level and course requirements.

When physical materials are part of a student’s program, they are typically mailed by the school office after enrollment is finalized. Delivery times may vary depending on location and the time of year.

If your family is expecting materials and they have not arrived within a reasonable timeframe, please contact your teacher or the school office.

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What do elementary students need to submit each month?

Submission requirements vary by course and grade level.

Families should check Brightspace regularly for assignment instructions, monthly learning activities, and teacher feedback. Teachers will clearly communicate what evidence of learning needs to be submitted and when.

This may include written work, photos, videos, reading samples, math activities, projects, or participation in live classes.

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When is a good time for elementary students to get one-on-one help from their teachers?

Weekly tutorial meetings are available for grades K–8 students. During these meetings, all teachers are present and available to assist students with any questions they may have. This is a great opportunity for students to receive personalized help and support. Additionally, teachers have booking calendars available for students to schedule one-on-one support sessions at their convenience.

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What supplies should we have at home?

Elementary families should plan to have access to:

• Reliable high-speed internet
• Laptop (preferred) or desktop computer. Tablets alone do not provide full access to the tools and features required for the program.
• A printer
• A scanner or scanning app
• Webcam and microphone
• Basic school and craft supplies such as pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, rulers, and paper

Specific courses may require additional materials, which will be communicated by your teacher.

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High School Program

How is the WCAS high school program different from other online high school programs?

One of the major differences between WCAS’s high school program and many other online learning programs is that the majority of our full-time core classes are taught live by certified teachers. Rather than working entirely independently, students participate in scheduled live Zoom classes where they receive direct instruction, ask questions in real time, collaborate with classmates, and build meaningful relationships with their teachers.

This structured approach helps students stay engaged, accountable, and connected while still benefiting from the flexibility of learning from home.

Our goal is not simply to deliver online courses. We want to provide a Christ-centred online school community where students are known, supported, and challenged to grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

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Do high school students at WCAS have to attend live Zoom classes?

Yes. Live Zoom classes are a required component of full-time enrollment at West Coast Adventist Online School (WCAS), particularly in synchronous courses. These online sessions provide direct instruction, class interaction, and real-time teacher support. Attendance is expected and contributes to student engagement and success.

Note: Additional courses are taken asynchronously to meet BC graduation requirements.

High school live classes are organized by semester and currently follow this structure:

Grade 9:

• English, Math, Science, and Social Studies — live classes (required)

Grade 10:

• Career-Life Education, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies — live classes (required)

Grade 11:

• Career-Life Connections, English, Math, Sciences (Life Sciences, Physics, or Chemistry on rotation), and Social Studies — live classes (required)

Grade 12:

• English and Social Studies (Indigenous-focused credit) — live classes (required)
• Math and Sciences (Life Sciences, Physics, or Chemistry on rotation) (optional)

All Grade 9–12 students:

• Encounter (Bible) — year-long course (required)

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Do high school students at WCAS attend live classes, or can they work independently?

Full-time high school students at WCAS attend scheduled live Zoom classes as part of their teacher-directed program.

Students who prefer a more flexible, fully asynchronous learning model may find our cross-enrollment program to be a better fit.

Cross-enrolled students complete their courses independently through Brightspace while receiving support, feedback, and grading from their assigned teacher.

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Synchronous (Live) Courses

Synchronous courses follow a structured schedule with live Zoom instruction, regular attendance expectations, and clearly communicated assignment deadlines. Students learn in real time with their teachers and classmates while building accountability, community, and academic confidence.

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Asynchronous Courses

Asynchronous courses provide greater flexibility for students who need to work more independently. Students access course materials through Brightspace, complete assignments at their own pace, and receive ongoing support, feedback, and grading from their assigned teacher. Students are expected to become active shortly after enrollment and complete coursework within one year of activation.

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How long do students have to complete an asynchronous course?

Students enrolled in asynchronous high school courses are expected to become active shortly after enrollment and complete their coursework within one year of activation.

Teachers provide guidance, pacing support, and regular communication to help students stay on track.

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Are exams supervised?

Some high school courses may require supervised assessments, particularly in courses such as Math, Chemistry, or Physics.

When supervision is required, families will receive clear instructions from the course teacher regarding approved proctors, scheduling, and expectations.

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What if a student starts a high school live class but decides they want to take it asynchronously?

In some cases, students may transition to an asynchronous or individualized support pathway to help them complete the course.

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Cross-Enrollment

What is cross-enrollment?

Cross-enrollment allows students who are already enrolled at another school to take one or more individual courses through West Coast Adventist Online School.

This option is available for eligible students in Grades 10–12 who would like to access specific courses, flexible scheduling, or a Christ-centred learning environment while remaining enrolled at their primary school.

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Do cross-enrolled students attend live Zoom classes?

No. Cross-enrolled students complete their courses asynchronously.

This means students work through course materials at their own pace using Brightspace while receiving support, feedback, and grading from their assigned teacher.

Students are encouraged to communicate regularly with their teacher and reach out whenever they need support.

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How long do cross-enrolled students have to complete a course?

Once a student becomes active in a course, they have up to one year to complete their coursework.

Students are expected to begin participating shortly after enrollment and maintain steady progress throughout the course.

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Can students take more than one course through cross-enrollment?

Yes. Eligible students may take multiple courses through cross-enrollment, depending on course availability, prerequisites, and their overall academic plan.

Families are encouraged to connect with school administration if they are unsure which courses may be the best fit.

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How do students become active in a cross-enrolled course?

To become active, students must log in to Brightspace and submit their first coursework within the activation period shared at enrollment.

If a student does not become active within that timeframe, please connect with your teacher or school administration as soon as possible.

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Technology and Brightspace (D2L)

What is Brightspace?

Brightspace is the course management system used by WCAS to deliver course content and resources to the student. Think of Brightspace as the electronic course outline where students can find their assignments, instructions, and the resources the teacher has provided for the student to complete the course. Students are enrolled in their courses in Brightspace. Students will also hand in required assignments through Brightspace.

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How do students submit assignments in Brightspace?

Students submit most assignments directly through Brightspace using the instructions provided by their teacher.

Depending on the course, assignments may be submitted as written work, scanned documents, photos, videos, audio recordings, presentations, or other approved formats.

Teachers provide clear instructions and feedback within Brightspace to support student learning.

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What file formats are accepted for assignment submissions?

Common file formats include:

• PDF
• Word documents
• Google documents (when shared appropriately)
• JPEG or PNG images
• Video files
• Audio recordings

Specific assignment requirements may vary by course, so students should carefully review teacher instructions before submitting their work.

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What is Google Drive, and how is it used at WCAS?

Google Drive is a secure online storage and collaboration platform used by many WCAS teachers and students.

Depending on the course, students may use Google Drive to access shared resources, collaborate on assignments, submit work, or store important school documents.

Full-time students may also receive a school-managed Google account to support communication and learning.

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What if we need help with Brightspace or technology?

Teachers are happy to support students and families as they learn new technology.

If you are having difficulty accessing Brightspace, joining a live class, submitting assignments, or navigating school technology, please contact your teacher or the school office for support.

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What equipment and programs are needed for this program?

1. High-speed internet
2. Laptop (preferred) or desktop computer. Tablets alone do not provide full access to the tools and features required for the program.
3. Scanner
4. Printer
5. Webcam
6. School-managed Google account (for full-time students)

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Can siblings share one computer?

In many cases, yes.

However, because live classes, assignment deadlines, tutorials, and independent learning times may overlap, families with multiple students often find that access to more than one device helps reduce scheduling conflicts and supports smoother learning routines.

During the admissions process, we are happy to help families think through technology needs.

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Student Resource Funding

How do families access Student Resource Funding?

Student Resource Funding (SRF) is part of the full-time learning program for BC residents at West Coast Adventist Online School and helps support educational costs that would typically be covered in a traditional school setting.

For eligible full-time students, this may include curriculum resources, access to learning platforms, teacher support, and, for British Columbia residents, approved third-party learning opportunities such as fine arts or physical education instruction.

Eligibility and available funding may vary based on enrollment, grade level, student engagement, and program requirements.

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Contact

I have more questions or I would like personal contact. How can I do this?

Under the Contact Us tab you may fill out the Information Request or use the School Information link to find our phone numbers and email addresses. We will be pleased to contact you.

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