About The Program
The Vancouver Home Learners’ Program, housed at Lord Beaconsfield Elementary School, 3663 Penticton St., Vancouver, incorporates grades Kindergarten through 7. The Program welcomes families who are looking for a balance between full time home schooling and structured classroom learning for their children who are self-motivated, independent learners. It should be noted that the Home Learner program is a multi-age group and students typically work on projects, in teams and in grouping. Students in our program are typically intrinsically motivated to learn and are very much self-directed learners who require less, rather than more support and adult direction in their daily activities. To experience success in this program a student needs to be self regulated, able to tolerate a high degree of ambiguity, be a self starter, and a willing collaborator with their peers. The younger students should already be able to manage jackets zippers, shoes, lunch kits, use of bathroom, handwashing etc. We respectfully ask you to keep your child home if they are ill.
The program requires a high degree of parent commitment to facilitate the learning that happens at home. Each child, in collaboration with her or his parent/guardian and teacher develops an individual Student Learning Plan which forms the goals and objectives for the child’s learning year.
Children are expected to attend their two days of programming each week: Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Grades K through 3, or Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Grades 4 to 7. Programs vary by semester and may include such things as Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Math, Current Events, Music, and Fine Arts. The emphasis is on hands-on, experiential learning and project-based learning.
In a nutshell, the Vancouver Home Learners’ Program is not a Home Schooling program where one might register then pursue their own path — the Ministry of BC curriculum must be met for each student registered in our program. In the Home Learner’s Program, a high degree of parent commitment and participation in the student’s learning, and collaboration with your teacher is required. Intermediate level students are expected to submit evidence of learning done at home on a regular basis. Expect to submit evidence of learning on a monthly basis in the form of Interim Reports or Portfolio submissions.
FAQ
I am interested in your program. May I drop-in to observe?
No. Due to the nature of the program, and the high volume of requests we receive, we cannot accommodate observations, daily or weekly student visitations, or meetings to drop by the program.
What days would my child attend?
Kindergarten to Grade 3’s attend on Mondays and Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Grade 4’s to Grade 7’s attend on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
What does a typical day in the classroom look like?
The Home Learner classroom is an exciting yet calm place, focusing on hands-on, experiential, multi-modal learning. Students are encouraged to work with peers and/or on teams to enhance their learning. Being a multi-aged program, students also learn to work with and help others. Frequent field trips enhance the experiential learning experience for the students.
You cover the curriculum, so I don’t have to, right?
No. It is expected that parents/guardians cover learning outcomes at the specific grade level at home with their children. While our programs are cross-curricular and do align with the BC curriculum, they cannot be expected to cover all areas for all grades and subjects. Students will receive report cards per Ministry requirements.
Student Learning Plans
Student learning for the year is planned out in a three-way collaboration between the student, parent and teacher at the beginning of the school year, or upon entry to the program. This ensures that your child’s learning plan is unique to her or his learning needs and interests. Student Learning Plans are dynamic, living documents that may grow, change and develop with your student.
Do you have spaces available?
Both cohorts are currently full for September 2025. However, changes occur throughout the year, so we encourage you to contact us to be put on our waitlist.
Do I need to use certain curricular material?
You can choose any curriculum/materials that work best for your child. The teacher is here to help guide you in your decisions regarding materials if you wish and are familiar with most of the programs and materials available. The idea is that children achieve the outcomes for their grade levels, therefore, there is ultimate flexibility in how that is achieved.
Is there homework?
Occasionally, assignments or activities will be sent home with children to augment the learning and exploration that is happening in the program at that time. For example, during our study of Space, children were tasked with recording the phases of the moon for one month.
Is attendance mandatory?
Attendance is expected. Most students participate two days a week. Some families travel during the school year also, which is perfectly fine. The only aspects that are mandatory are:
- The “Activation Assignment” when students first register. This is mandated by the Ministry and is an assignment the teacher designs for the students to get them started on their learning journey for the school year.
- A “Student Learning Plan” which is prepared at the beginning of the school year, which provides the outline of the curricular expectations, depending on the Grade level. It is a document that can be updated over the course of the year.
- Three “Portfolio Meetings” a year with the student/parents to share with the teacher what the student has been learning at home. This will provide content for the report card. The portfolio package should be printed and given to the teacher at the start of each meeting. This will provide the basis for the report card marks, as well as, concrete evidence of learning at home.
- Intermediate students are expected to submit three “Interim Reports” throughout the school year as well.
REGISTRATION
When is the deadline for registration?
There is no hard deadline for registration, but we encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience. Email: Homelearners@vsb.bc.ca. Please note, we cannot answer calls regarding where a particular child is at on the waiting list. We will contact you if a spot becomes available.
How do I register?
Please make sure you read this Blog in its entirety and understand the strong parental commitment. Once you have done that, you can contact Beaconsfield school directly to be connected with the Program Teacher. Please include your child’s birth year to help us determine the educational cohort. The Program’s Email address is: Homelearners@vsb.bc.ca. Office staff prefer emails to phone calls.
Once you have connected with the classroom teacher, wait until the teacher has formally accepted your child. This usually happens in the Spring for the following September, however, things can happen anytime throughout the school year. If your child is entering Kindergarten, your first step is to register at your catchment school, even if you have no intention of attending at that school. Please note, you will need to provide all of the necessary registration documents to register at your catchment school. For Grades 1-7, please advise us of the school or program, and we can request records.