St. Gabriel Cyber School Frequently Asked Questions
Why attend St. Gabriel Cyber School?
• Students learn and participate in a faith based environment.
• Students work from home or school and interact with staff and other students through e-mail.
• Students have a flexible schedule that coordinates with other activities allowing them to work at more accommodating hours.
• Parents are involved in the education process, act as supervisors, administering tests from time-to-time, and provide encouragement and guidance for their children.
• Families meet several times a year in person for activities, family conferences, farewell, and exams.
• Students interact daily with each other.
• Students interact daily with teachers and administration.
• Students study a variety of courses suited to their abilities and interests.
• Students are valued and treated as individuals.
What makes a successful student in St. Gabriel Cyber School?
• A successful student has consistent parent/guardian/supervisor support and guidance.
• The student develops organizational skills, time management skills to become self-directed and work cooperatively with their parent/guardian/supervisor.
• Successful students respond well to working in their own time frame without the structure of a traditional classroom.
• A successful student uses technology and develops new computer skills.
• He/she learns well from visual materials and text.
• A successful student has a positive attitude and is comfortable asking for help.
Does this school have a School Council?
• Yes, the School Council of St. Gabriel Cyber School is an active, vibrant and vital part of our school. It fosters a total Christian community, and has a role advising and consulting with the principal on matters relating to the school.
• The School Council helps to plan special school events, establishes school policies, and provides feedback on the school’s operations. All parents are invited to participate actively in the Council. Typically, the School Council meets once a month via an online chat and voice communication.
What are the parents’/guardians’/supervisors’ roles in St. Gabriel?
• provide support and encourage their child.
• encourage students to review marked assignments.
• check their mailbox daily for messages from teachers or administration.
• provide a comfortable, appropriate work environment that is free of distractions.
• help their child to schedule the work week and manage the workload.
• maintain contact with teachers.
• provide notice of absences.
• administer unit/chapter tests to their child when required.
• make arrangements to attend School activities, and to write major exams.
• seek support from the school administration and the school counsellor when needed.
What if I don’t know how to use a computer?
The only ability required to attend the school, is a willingness to learn. The school helps each student and key parent/guardian learn the skills needed for school technology use. Each student and key parent/guardian begin the school year by completing a course called “Online Orientation.” For some it is a refresher, while for others it is a new adventure in learning to use technology. In a short time, everyone masters the computer functions needed for communication with the staff and other students attending St. Gabriel Cyber School.
What about socialization?
• The school provides an environment for education, and cannot be relied upon as the sole means of socialization. It is one among many places a child learns social skills and meets other people. Students socialize in many ways: through online communication with peers and teachers, daily interaction with their own family, and through contact with their community, friends, and peers outside of school.
• Students schooled in a home environment have the benefit of learning social skills from their parents and other adults. Students learn by following the examples taught in the home rather than only taking cues about appropriate behaviour from children their own age. They interact with people of different ages, such as parents, grandparents, siblings, and family friends or neighbours.
• Students in St. Gabriel Cyber School communicate with each other and their teachers through e-mail, online chats. This form of communication allows people in distant geographic locations to have immediate contact. It also allows relationships to form based on personality, rather than appearance.
• Students in St. Gabriel Cyber School prepare their weekly schedule allowing flexible time for other relationships and pursuits. Students participate in community activities such as volunteering, working at a part-time job, or pursuing hobbies and interests. Many students are active in church groups, sports teams and community groups where they socialize with their non-cyber school friends.
Do St. Gabriel students take Physical Education?
Yes, full time students attending St. Gabriel Cyber School are required to take Physical Education in grade 7 through 10. Physical Education is offered to grade 11 and 12 students as well. Students receive lessons about nutrition, fitness, health, and particular sports. They complete a fitness test several times a year to monitor their progress and promote fitness awareness. Students also compile a logbook of their physical activity. A designated portion of the activity hours must be pursued with an organized group; for example, an evening of basketball with a church youth group, a Scouts’ sports night, or playing on a hockey team. Each activity entry in the logbook must be verified with the signature of a parent, coach, or supervising adult.
How do students perform hands-on CTS courses and Science Labs?
• CTS courses, such as Foods, Fashion Studies, or Construction and Fabrication, require hands-on work. The home kitchen is used as a Foods lab and students complete lab reports to hand in that document their experiences and results. For Fashion Studies, the family’s sewing machine is used to create a project while the student completes written lessons online. Similarly, wood projects for Construction and Fabrication are constructed using tools and supplies at home.
• The home kitchen is also used as a Science laboratory. Science lessons include experiments to be completed at home using common household substances. Parent/guardian supervision is essential for hands-on CTS work and Science labs.
Are there accredited Catholic universities and colleges in Alberta?
Yes, there are three: St. Joseph’s College at University of Alberta, Edmonton; Newman Theological College, Edmonton; St. Mary’s College, Calgary.
Could Religious Studies courses be applied to entrance requirements for college and university?
Credits for Religious Studies 15-25-35 are accepted and applied to a student’s high school diploma requirements. Some college/university programs accept Religious Studies 35 as a prerequisite for certain entry-level courses. Specific details should be clarified when registering at the college/university of your choice.
What is a credit?
One credit is equivalent to the learner outcomes that most students can achieve in 25 hours of instruction. Students in Alberta are required to earn 100 credits to qualify for an Alberta High School Diploma.
What do I need to earn a high school diploma?
To earn an Alberta High School Diploma, a St. Gabriel Cyber School student must earn a minimum of 100 credits by meeting the standards and complete the following courses:
• English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 or Français 30
• Social Studies 30 or 33
• Applied Mathematics 20 or Pure Mathematics 20 or Mathematics 24 ~
• Science 24 or Science 20 or Biology 20 or Chemistry 20 or Physics 20 ~
Note 1: The diploma examination mark for English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 or Français 30 and Social Studies 30 or 33, when averaged with the school-awarded mark, must result in a final mark of 50% or greater.
Note 2: For those taking Mathematics 30, and 30-level science courses, when averaged with the school-awarded mark, must result in a final mark of 50% or greater. However, successful completion of these courses is not a condition of Alberta High School Diploma graduation requirements.
* Complete and meet the standards of the following:
• Physical Education 10 (3/5 credits)
• Career and Life Management (CALM) 20 (3 credits)
• Earn 10 credits in any 30-level course other than English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 and Social Studies 30 or 33~
• 10 credits, in any combination, from:
o Career and Technology Studies (CTS) OR
o fine arts (Art or Music) OR
o second languages ~(French) OR
o Work Experience OR
o Physical Education 20 and/or Physical Education 30 OR
o locally authorized courses in CTS, or second languages OR
o Religious Studies
How do students know which courses to take to prepare for post-secondary education?
Students who have identified their post-secondary plans should consult a calendar from the post-secondary institution of their choice for the necessary prerequisite senior high school courses. Students should contact the school counsellor for specific information.
Is a second language a requirement for university entrance?
This is not a general requirement for Alberta universities. However, a second language may be used as an academic subject for entrance to several programs and in calculations for scholarships. It may also be used to calculate the academic average. Certain post-secondary faculties may require a second language.
What happens if a Grade 12 student is short of credits after the first semester?
It may be possible for such a student to complete the diploma requirements by taking extra courses, an extra semester, summer school, night school or distance learning. Please consult the school counsellor for assistance.
Could a student return to senior high school to complete a high school diploma or upgrade courses following Grade 12?
Yes. All students 19 or under, as of September 1 of the school year, are funded. Older students are assessed an instructional fee.
How could I be assured that my child will have a positive experience in school?
Students, parents/guardians/supervisors and teachers share a commitment to lifelong learning. Ongoing communication among them is one way of ensuring success.
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