Additional Programs

Independent Learning Program

The Independent Learning Program (ILP) provides an alternative to the traditional classroom setting by providing curriculum and support for individual students working toward one or more credits. Students participating in the ILP will work with the ILP teacher to explore, develop, and attain curricular goals according to their unique, God-given talents. Inquiries about referrals can be made by parents, students, teachers, or administration. Referral to the ILP should be made through Student Services via James Apers or Aline Koiter.

Co-operative Education

The Co-operative education program (Co-op) allows the senior student an opportunity to earn credits through an “on the job” work experience. Placements are available for students in all four academic pathways: University, College, Apprenticeship and Workplace. Sectors include a wide range of career directions, including health care, law, policing, education, veterinarian and a range of skilled trades, as well as many others. A full list of possible placements is available from the Co-op office and current opportunities are often posted on the Edsby Co op group. Students enter the program through an interview process and by completing an application. Placements are arranged in collaboration and consultation with the Co-op office. Potential employers usually require a resume and brief interview before the placement is confirmed. Students considering a co op placement are encouraged to apply by the fall of the previous year as many placements take applications 4-6 months beforehand.

Co operative education includes both in-class training and on-site learning components. Through these two components, the course prepares the student for successful participation in a work placement, provides time and opportunities to enable the student to apply and further develop knowledge and skills acquired in the related courses, and provides opportunities to integrate the learning acquired at school and at the placement. Once a co-operative work placement has been established, the student is expected to remain with that placement for the entire semester. Further assistance regarding possibilities, options and procedures can be obtained from the Student Services department or the Co-operative Education Coordinator.

Venture

The Venture pathway is a three year long program stream at HDCH designed to expand, enhance, and complement our current cooperative education program. Venture offers students first hand opportunities to ● Discover talents and gifts ● Imagine possible career directions ● Make “real world” learning connections ● Explore calling and vocation ● “Test drive” career options

Venture offers learning experiences that will seek to foster the recognition of work as an integrated, obedient response to God’s calling. The program challenges students to begin a life-long process of discerning how skills and talents can serve God and serve others, and will provide first hand opportunities and resources to explore possible pathways to employment and careers.

Students will apply for the program while in ninth grade, and will participate in a specific Careers section in grade ten and a one credit personal life management course (HIP4O) in grade eleven. In grade twelve, Venture students will apply the competencies developed in a one to four credit off-site experiential learning placement. Throughout the process, students will engage in placements and mentoring relationships, explore vocational pathways, earn industry standards and credentials, and develop a cumulative learning portfolio.

There are Co op and Venture information sessions in the fall and winter each year for parents and students. For more information about the Co operative Education and Venture programs, please contact Richard Van Egmond, Program Director