Parents & Students

Alberta High School Diploma Graduation Requirements – 100 CREDITS NEEDED

• English Language Arts 30 Level (English 30-1 or 30-2)
• Social Studies to a 30 Level (Social 30-1 or Social 30-2)
• Sciences to a 20 Level (Science 20/24, Bio 20, Chem 20 or Phys 20)
• Mathematics to a 20 Level (Math 20-1, 20-2, or 20-3)
• Physical Education 10:  3 credits
• CALM: 3 credits
• 10 credits in any combination from:
• Second languages, fine arts (music, drama, art), CTS, PE 20 and/or 30, RAP courses
• 10 additional 30 LEVEL credits from:
• any 30 level course (excluding English Language Arts and Social Studies)
• 35 level Work Experience
• 30-4 level Knowledge and Employability
• 3000 series CTS, 30 level special projects, Physical Education 30
• 35 level RAP, 30 level Green Certificate
• 22-24 (depends on Phys.Ed) additional credits in any subject area at any high school grade level

Certificate of High School Achievement Requirements – 80 CREDITS NEEDED

• English Language Arts 30-4 or to 20 Level with English 20-2
• Social Studies 20-4 or Social 10-2
• Sciences 20-4 or Science 14
• Mathematics 20-4 or 10-3
• 3 credits in Physical Education 10
• 3 credits in CALM
• 5 credits at 30-Level K&E Occupational course, or CTS
• Must have at least one -4 core course

AND

• 5 credits at 30-Level Work Experience or Green Certificate, K&E Workplace Practicum.OR 5 credits in 30-Level RAP Course.

To be considered a Grade 11 student, a senior high student must have a minimum of 35 credits, including grade 10 Social Studies and Grade 10 English.

To be considered a Grade 12 student, a senior high student must have a minimum of 65 credits, including being enrolled in or have completed English 20 & 30 and Social 20 & 30.

Work Experience is an Off-Campus Education Program that allows a student to earn High School credits for the experience and on-the-job training they receive while working at a part-time job during the school year, during the summer months, or holidays.

WHO MAY GO INTO WORK EXPERIENCE?

• Any student in grade 10, 11, or 12 who has a part-time job during the school year or a position during the summer months, or who volunteers, can sign up for Work Experience.

ARE THERE ANY PREREQUISITES TO WORK EXPERIENCE?

• Students are required to complete HCS3000, a one credit course, based on Workplace Safety Systems.
• It is recommended that students complete CTR1010, another one credit course, giving students experience in Job Preparation.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO BEGIN WORK EXPERIENCE?

• If you have not completed HCS3000 in CALM class, see Ms. Durling to enroll, as we can set you up to complete the module independently.
• Following your completion of HCS3000, arrange a time to meet with Ms. Durling regarding your interest in Work Experience. We will discuss, and you will receive, copies of the following:
• Work Experience Agreement
• Off Campus Letter for Parents
• Student Journal (to be completed on a weekly basis)
• Off Campus Student Evaluation (to be completed at the end of 125 hours)
• Off Campus Employer Evaluation (to be completed at the end of 125 hours)
• Once you have an employer in compliance with the FVSD Work Experience Agreement, Ms. Durling will meet with your employer to complete the agreement, and complete a worksite inspection.
• When your HCS3000 is completed, the Work Experience Agreement is signed, and a worksite has been approved, then you are ready to earn credits!

HOW DO I EARN CREDITS?

• Students can earn anywhere from 3 to 10 credits in one work site. Credits are based on time worked. Each credit requires 25 hours of work. (for example, 5 credits will require 125 hours of work, 6 credits- 150 hours, and so on).
• Students will receive a mark for their Work Experience based on the following criteria:
• Employer Evaluation 60%
• Student Journal 30%
• Self-Evaluation 10%

IS THERE A TIME LIMIT OF WHEN THE CREDITS MUST BE COMPLETED?

• No. Students' work schedules vary from one student to another and therefore students earn Work Experience credits on an individual basis. For example, if a student works 10 hours a week, that student will probably earn 10 credits in about 6 or 7 months. It may take another student less time, or more time.

CAN I USE MORE THAN ONE JOB FOR WORK EXPERIENCE?

• Yes. The more variety in job experiences, the more likely that students can earn the maximum number of Work Experience credits (30).  Students can also use two jobs at one time. For this to happen, there would be two different employer contracts in place at the same time.

When does the employer evaluation and student evaluation need to be completed?

• Make sure your Employer Evaluation and Student Evaluation form are completed every 125 hours or each semester (whichever comes first).
• Monitor your hours and notify Ms. Durling, as well as your employer, when you are approaching each 125 hour evaluation period.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING IN WORK EXPERIENCE?

• Knowledge, skills, and attributes gained in the workplace are lifelong.
• May help students identify educational and occupational goals.
• Students can continue to work without having to alter their schedules.
• A good employment experience and positive employer evaluations can build your resume and portfolio.
• Workers Compensation Benefit insurance is provided for all Work Experience students through Alberta Education.
• 15 credits may be used towards earning your Alberta High School Diploma!

It is the responsibility of the Work Experience student to stay in contact with the Off-Campus Coordinator (Ms. Durling) on a regular basis. This would be for any changes to Work Experience status, workplace issues or problems, or changes to your Registration information.

If you have any questions regarding the Work Experience program, please feel free to contact Ms. Durling at kaylad@fvsd.ab.ca or by phone at (780) 956 3851.

RAP (Registered Apprenticeship Program) students are both full-time students and registered apprentices. The students take their courses such as English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math, in order to obtain their Alberta High School Diploma or Certificate of Achievement. The RAP apprenticeship ends when the RAP apprentice finishes high school. The RAP apprentice is then automatically registered as a regular apprentice, and the credit earned while in the RAP program is applied to his/her apprenticeship. A RAP student is expected to continue his or her apprenticeship after graduating from senior high school.

WHO MAY TAKE PART IN RAP?

• Any senior high school student 15 years of age or older.
• The apprentice must be punctual, able to complete tasks as assigned, and observe all safety regulations and other rules of their employer.

When are the hours completed for RAP?

• THE TIME A RAP STUDENT SPENDS AT SCHOOL AND ON THE WORK SITE CAN BE QUITE FLEXIBLE.

• THE STUDENT, SCHOOL AND EMPLOYER JOINTLY AGREE ON A SUITABLE SCHEDULE.

• THE STUDENT MIGHT WORK AS A RAP APPRENTICE FOR A SEMESTER, FOR HALF OF EACH SCHOOL DAY, OR FOR ONE OR TWO DAYS PER WEEK, OR DURING SUMMERS, HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS.

WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS THAT GOVERNS APPRENTICESHIP IN ALBERTA?

• Students are considered to be regular apprentices
• Students must be employed by a qualified employer and supervised by a qualified journeyman
• Students must be paid at least minimum wage
• Apprenticeship and Industry Training staff will monitor and evaluate work placements and monitor RAP students

ARE THERE ANY PREREQUISITES TO RAP?

• Similar to Work Experience credits, RAP students are required to complete HCS3000, a one credit course, based on Workplace Safety Systems.
• The parent/guardian must give informed consent for the student to participate in RAP.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO BEGIN RAP?

• The student must state an interest in the trades and demonstrate readiness to enter a trade.
• The student identifies an employer who is willing to accept him or her as an apprentice.  
• The school must ensure all RAP work sites are inspected and approved.
• Only when an employer has been identified, the student has made a commitment to learning a specific trade, and the student has received approval from the school, the following must be followed:
• The student obtains an Apprenticeship Application and Contract
• The student completes and submits the application to Apprenticeship and Industry Training - note that there is an application fee of $35.00
• Ms. Durling will complete and attach a copy of the RAP Verification Form to the student’s application
• Once Apprenticeship and Industry Training has approved the employer and worksite, the student receives notification and the Blue Book. The school will receive the Verification Form from Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
• Ms. Durling will ensure the student is properly registered as an apprentice

HOW DO I EARN CREDITS?

• A RAP student can earn up to 1000 hours of time credits toward an apprenticeship, and simultaneously earn up to 40 credits toward senior high school diploma requirements.
• Note that each 25 hours of time is worth 1 credit.
• Students will receive a mark for their RAP course  based on the following criteria:
• Employer Evaluation 60%
• Student Journal 30%
• Self-Evaluation 10%

When does the employer evaluation and student evaluation need to be completed?

• Make sure your Employer Evaluation and Student Evaluation form are completed every 125 hours or each semester (whichever comes first).
• Monitor your hours and notify Ms. Durling, as well as your employer, when you are approaching each 125 hour evaluation period.

It is the responsibility of the RAP student to stay in contact with the Off-Campus Coordinator (Ms. Durling) on a regular basis. This would be for any changes to RAP status, workplace issues or problems, or changes to your Registration information.

If you have any questions regarding the Registered Apprenticeship Program, please feel free to contact Ms. Durling at kaylad@fvsd.ab.ca or by phone at (780) 956 3851.