Brooks school counsellors are available for consultations with students and/or parents. We offer personal counselling and support in a safe and confidential environment.
We also provide assistance with course planning, occupational and career information, post-secondary education planning, scholarship and bursary information, financial aid and other questions students may feel they would like to discuss.
Parents are encouraged to contact the counsellors at any time with concerns regarding their child's educational progress or other issues.
The Brooks Counselling Center welcomes students to drop into the counselling office before school, during class breaks, after school or during a study period to make appointments with their alpha counsellor or browse through the information files. Pamphlets and brochures on a variety of topics, as well as post-secondary calendars, are available.
Course Planning
Graduation Program
BC's secondary school students begin working on their graduation requirements in Grade 10. In order to graduate, students must complete specified courses and write at least five provincial exams. Students have choice and flexibility in how they meet the remaining requirements.
At a Glance
The table below is an overview of what you need to graduate:
- 48 credits from required courses
- 28 credits from elective courses
- 4 credits from Graduation Transitions
| Required Courses: |
|---|
| Subject Area | Minimum Credits |
| Planning 10 | 4 |
| a Language Arts 10 | 4 |
| a Language Arts 11 | 4 |
| a Language Arts 12 | 4 |
| a Mathematics 10 | 4 |
| a Mathematics 11 or 12 | 4 |
| a Fine Arts and/or Applied Skills 10, 11, or 12 | 4 |
| Social Studies 10 | 4 |
| a Social Studies 11 or 12 | 4 |
| Science 10 | 4 |
| a Science 11 or 12 | 4 |
| Physical Education 10 | 4 |
| | 48 |
| Elective Courses: |
|---|
| Students must earn at least 28 elective credits. | Minimum Credits |
| Additional Grade 10-12 credits* | 28 credits |
| Graduation Transitions |
|---|
| Students must earn 4 credits for Graduation Transitions. | 4 credits |
| Overall Total: | 80 credits |
|---|
* Of the 80 credits for graduation, at least 16 must be at the Grade 12 level,
including a Grade 12 Language Arts course. Others may be required or
elective courses. |
Please see the 2010-2011 Course Handbook and the following school resources to view current information regarding course selection.
Graduation Program Exams
You are required to write five graduation program exams. Graduation program exams are mandatory in the following courses:
- Grade 10 Language Arts
- Grade 10 Science
- Grade 10 Mathematics
- Social Studies 11, Civic Studies or BC First Nations 12
- Grade 12 Language Arts
Provincial exam results are blended with the classroom mark to generate final course marks. Grade 10 and 11 exams count for 20% of the final mark. Grade 12 exams count for 40% of the final mark.
All other Grade 12 exams are optional. Full credit may be earned for these courses whether or not the related graduation program exam is taken. If you choose to write an optional Grade 12 exam, it counts for 40% of the final mark. Your classroom work counts for 60%.
Please note that some post-secondary institutions require Grade 12 exam marks for entrance. Writing Grade 12 exams also means you could qualify to win provincial scholarships. Consider these facts carefully as you decide whether or not to write optional graduation program exams.
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Graduation Transitions
Graduation Transitions is a mandatory course for all BC Grade 12 students on the 2004 Graduation Program. All the information you need to complete Graduation Transitions is available on this website. Print out the Graduation Transitions Checklist (see below) to keep track of what you have completed.
Please see your alpha counsellor if you have any questions or problems. (See sidebar to find out who your counsellor is.)
Graduation Transitions School Resources
Graduation Transitions Links
Personal Health Resources and Links
Community Connections Resources and Links
Career and Life Resources and Links
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Scholarships, Bursaries & Awards
Various Terms You'll Hear:
Scholarships - money based on marks; many now require community and school involvement.
Awards - money awarded for criteria other than marks alone, such as group membership or affiliation.
Passport to Education - money awarded by the Ministry of Education to the top students in Grade 10, 11, and 12.
Bursaries - money based on financial need; may include marks.
Loans - money that must be repaid.
Grants - money that does not have to be repaid.
Financial Assistance is Available
Listed below are the major areas you should investigate:
- Government Scholarships:
To qualify, you must write Government exams in at least 3 of the following: Math 12, Biology 12, Chemistry 12, English 12, French 12, Geography 12, History 12, Literature 12, Physics 12, and Spanish 12 and receive 86% or higher AND pass the English 12 government exam with a B or better on the final report card.
*Please Note - if students do not write the provincial exam they do not qualify for government scholarships
OR
District Scholarships/Awards:
These awards recognize the excellence, special skills or talent in the specific areas of learning: Business Education, Home Economics, Industrial Education or Visual and Performing Arts. You may be asked to demonstrate or display your work for a panel of local "judges" in late June. Contact a counsellor by mid-March.
- College, University or other Post-Secondary Institutions:
When you have decided where you would like to apply, email or phone for information on financial aid, scholarships and awards offered by that institution. Many universities and colleges already have this information available on their website. Try to get this information early in case additional application forms are needed.
- Local Scholarships and Awards:
Every year, local businesses, groups, clubs and individuals donate over $100,000 for graduates of School District #47. A general application form and details of the awards are available in mid-April from the main office.
- Miscellaneous
- Union or Employer Groups:
Many employers or unions offer financial assistance or scholarships to members or children of members. Get your parent(s) to check with their employer(s); if you work, ask your employer if such assistance is available.
- Other Special Interest Groups:
A wide assortment of scholarships, bursaries and awards are available; many require membership in a particular group and/or that students be entering a specific field of study. Check online. There are many scholarships web sites.
- Government Programs:
- Student Aid BC:
Student Aid BC consists of Canada student loans and B.C. student loans; only one application is necessary. The online application is available at the following website: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc/ila/welcome.htm
For more information about finding money for school, please visit CanLearn at the following website: www.canlearn.ca
- Passport to Education:
In every B.C. secondary school, "Passport to Education" awards are given to the top students in grade 10, 11, and 12, based on the final report card. If a student receives the award, the booklet (with yearly stickers) is normally kept by the school and given to the student in June of Grade 12.
Counsellors's Tips
- Use the internet to search for scholarships. The two best sites are the following: www.scholarshipscanada.com and www.studentawards.com
- Have four to five strong letters of application that you can use for a variety of scholarships.
- Have two to three letters of reference to send along with your applications.
- NEVER assume you're not good enough for an award!
- Attend "Beyond Brooks" (usually held in November) to discover more about scholarships and post secondary education and options.
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