Off-campus Education Options

Course Description:

Dual credit courses are unique opportunities offered to outstanding students who have demonstrated a proven desire to learn in an area of special interest. Recent programs have been in the areas of Outdoor Leadership, Aviation, and VeterinarianTechnology. Students earn high school credits while taking college level courses that will also be recognized on their post-secondary transcripts. 

How it works:

• Students primary school enrollment must be with NorthStar Academy
• Select, outstanding, students are nominated to administration by teachers 
• Students who have demonstrated excellence in academics and attendance will then be invited to fill in an application form for the program of interest
• The School Division pays the tuition for the college course
• Students pay for any course fees such as supplies and textbooks
• Dual credit courses do count towards students' overall credit limit. 

Course Description:

Students are given the opportunity to earn high school credits for learning that they are doing outside of school. 

How it works:

Students must be registered in an accredited external learning program that offers certification for the specific program. Students can only earn credits if the program was completed and passed. Simply taking a final exam or assessment does not qualify for external learning credits. Students submit evidence of having been enrolled in the program and evidence of having completed the program including any assessments that were completed.

For example, with the Class 5 Drivers Training we require students to complete at least 15 hours of classroom learning, 10 hours of in-vehicle instruction, and to pass the knowledge and practice assessments to receive a Notice of Driver Education Course Completion form from the driver training school. 

External Learning Opportunities:

Course Description:

The Green Certificate Program provides students with opportunities to enter a variety of agriculture-related, structured learning pathways as a part of their senior high school program. It is offered in partnership with Alberta Agricultural Education and provides the opportunity for students to earn up to 16 senior high school credits along with a credential that could lead to a career in agriculture or agri-business. For more information, please check out The Government of Alberta’s Website using this link: https://www.alberta.ca/green-certificate-program  (*Students can actually earn up to 32 credits, if they choose to complete two areas of specialty, one after the other).

How it works:

• Register for the Green Certificate program on their course selection document for NorthStar Academy.
• Students attend a virtual Induction Meeting with the sponsoring college in their region. At this meeting, the Green Certificate Regional Coordinator explains how the program works and answers any questions.
• Students submit a registration form to their NSA teacher
• Students submit a virtual farm tour safety check to their teacher
• Once registration is complete, students are mailed a workbook in the agriculture specialty of their choice. 
• The workbook has three modules that will be assessed separately.
• Students learn their way through the workbook with their trainer (this can be a parent)
• Once ready to be tested, students sign up for and attend a testing session in their region where they will be interviewed about the content of the module they are testing for. Depending on the area of specialization, students may be required to demonstrate skills such as saddling a horse. 
• Once a module has been tested and passed students will earn the credits associated with that module. Module 1 is 6 credits, modules 2 and 3 are 5 credits each.

Areas of Specialization:

For more details on each program, click: Alberta Programs of Study or click on the links below.

Trainees select one of the specializations and, under the guidance of their trainer, work towards mastering all skills within their training program:

Description of student evaluations:

Students receive the same grade as they earned on the assessment given at the regional testing center.

CREDITS: 1

Description:

HCS 3000 is a mandatory Alberta Education prerequisite course for all Alberta high school students wanting to participate in Work Experience, Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) or Health Initiative programs. HCS 3000 is about workplace safety systems and upon completion students will receive one credit.

Course Description:

Students have the opportunity to work in the trade of their choice under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and earn 5 credits for every approved and assessed 125 hours of work. When students complete the program they are automatically registered as a regular apprentice and the on the job hours you earned while in RAP are applied to your post-secondary apprenticeship program.

How it works:

• Register for RAP on your course selection document at NorthStar Academy.
• Students find a certified journeyperson who is willing to apprentice them.
• Students can use CAREERS.ca to help match them to a journeyperson.
• Once a placement has been secured, students submit a RAP application through My Tradesecrets.  As part of this process, their employer will be sent an email with instructions on how to confirm their RAP apprenticeship.
• Students submit all the required documentation to their NSA teacher.
• Students submit a site tour safety check to their NSA teacher. 
• Students submit a learning plan to their NSA teacher.
• After all the forms are signed, submitted and approved, students can start tracking their hours.
• Students must track their hours and what was accomplished during those hours.
• Hours will be tracked in their Blue Book for Alberta Advance Training and Industry 
• Hours will also be tracked using NSA’s Monthly Time Sheets
• Employers must sign the hours tracking document.
• Students must submit their hours monthly to their teacher.
• After each 125 hours, employers must submit an evaluation of the student. 
• After each 125 hours, students must submit a self-evaluation.

Credit Sequence:

• RAP 15 (125 hours = 5 credits)
• RAP 25A, 25B, 25C (125 hours = 5 credits each, max total 375 hours = 15 credits)
• RAP 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D (125 hours = 5 credits each, max total 500 hours = 20 credits)

Description of student evaluations:

Students will be graded based on the feedback from employers’ evaluations and students’ self-evaluations. Credits will be earned based on the approved hours worked at a rate of 5 credits per 125 hours.

Apprenticeship Trades: 

*This is just a sample of the opportunities available. Click HERE for a more detailed list.

CREDITS: 3-10

High School students may earn credits in Work Experience 15, 25, and 35. Typically, 5 credits are earned in each course for a total of 15 credits. 15 credits are the maximum number of WE credits which can be counted toward the diploma credit requirements. Each of the 3 courses has a cap of 10 credits, so although students can possibly earn a total of 30 credits in WE courses, only 15 of those credits will count toward their diploma. It is possible to earn 5 credits in WE 15 and 10 credits in WE 35.

To earn credits for Work Experience, students must find either a paid or a volunteer position. Their adult supervisor at that position must be willing to sign off on the hour sheet and complete evaluations of the student’s performance.

Students need to log a minimum of 75 hours to earn 3 credits in WE. With every additional 25 hours, students earn another credit. 

This course aims to develop water navigation, aquatic ecosystem knowledge, and leadership skills within a framework of critical thinking. It emphasizes best practices for inquiry research, problem-solving, and analysis.

Inclusions: Ten credits, all learning resources, equipment, course instructors, accommodations, and meals.

Credits Offered:

• Water Experience 15 (LDC1492) – 3 credits
• Leadership, Character, and Social Responsibility (LDC1509) – 5 credits
• Forest Ecology in Regions of Canada (FOR1020) – 1 credit
• Nature and Wellness (HSS1100) – 1 credit

This course develops winter travel and navigation skills, an understanding of winter ecosystems, and leadership within a critical thinking framework. It emphasizes the importance of safety, environmental stewardship, and responsible exploration of wild spaces. Students will also engage in best practices for inquiry research, problem-solving, and analysis.

Inclusions: Ten credits, all learning resources, equipment, course instructors, accommodations, and meals.

Credits Offered:

• Winter Travel 15 (LDC1491) – 3 credits
• Developing Personal Value (LDC1819) – 5 credits
• Injury Management 1 (REC1020) – 1 credit
• The Tourism Sector (TOU1010) – 1 credit