School District # 8 Kootenay Lake

1. School District # 8 Kootenay Lake • Kootenay Lake School District is made up of many small communities with Nelson being the largest. • Life is unhurried as people say “hello” to strangers. • Life is not complicated or stressful and extremely safe in this unique, friendly, small city which is a desired destination for professionals from all over Canada and the world. • One might describe it as organic.

2. Why Choose District #8? People ask over and over again: • How is our district different from other districts in British Columbia? • How does the education of students in Nelson at LV Rogers compare to the education of students in other schools in BC? • Many cities in British Columbia are beautiful, so why choose Nelson? • What do we offer students that makes our district unique?

3. Location – South Eastern BC in the Kootenay Region Nelson is known as the best little arts city in Canada (awarded 2005), Nelson’s population is made up mostly of professional people who value an excellent education and a safe, healthy environment in which to raise their children. It is located: • 663 km (412 miles) from Vancouver • 628 km (390 miles) from Calgary • 55 km (34 miles) from the US border

4. Airport Arrival • Located one hour by plane from Vancouver and Calgary. • Three scheduled flights arrive every day into the Castlegar airport from Vancouver. • Air Canada Jazz is the carrier – flights 8246, 8248, 8250. Students arriving by plane are picked up at the airport by their homestay families and greeted by the program staff. The airport is only a 30 minute drive to Nelson.

5. Climate The Kootenay Lake area can be described as a moderate year round climate with 4 seasons. Summer temperatures range from 17 C to 30 C Fall temperatures range from 2 C to 14 C Winter temperatures range from -4 C to 6 C Spring temperatures range from 8 C to 13 C Average yearly snowfall is 224.7 cm Average yearly rainfall is 729.3 mm

6. Lots of Places are Beautiful, So why Nelson or Creston? • The water and air in Nelson is free of contamination and pollutants which make it an ideal, healthy environment for students. Many students comment that the chronic sore throat they once had at home in a much larger city disappeared while living in Nelson. • Small city means people are genuinely friendly and welcoming and everything is very accessible. This makes joining teams and other activities easier for students when it is so easy and safe for them to get around the city. They don’t have to rely on vehicle transportation or coordinate homestay schedules.

7. Transportation – easy to get everywhere and it takes very little time • There is a bus system in Nelson and students can ride the bus anywhere for approximately a dollar. However, most facilities such as shopping on Baker Street, the fitness center, skating center, curling, the cinema, bowling alley, and restaurants are all within walking distance. Students love this as they do no become house bound when everything is so accessible to them. However, there is always the option of skateboarding everywhere which is a popular mode of transportation with Nelson students.

8. Quality Education in Nelson • British Columbia has the highest results in the world for reading and writing scores as shown by the PISA test results. • Our secondary schools have shown academic results on provincial exams that are consistently 10 – 15% above the provincial average • Our scholarship exams results are very high in the province which speaks to the quality of high school education in our district. • Students are immersed into our school system with a huge majority of native speakers in classrooms. • LVR boasts one of the highest graduation rates in the entire province. • Our elective course offerings are extensive and students comment frequently how valuable the elective courses were to their highschool education with us. • At L.V. Rogers Secondary in Nelson, they are stressing the dual importance of regular and enjoyable physical activity to enhance academic performance. Principal says they have concentrated on giving ALL students a chance to experience a wide range of positive lunch hour activities, as well as traditional intra-mural sports. • The Fitness at Lunch (FAL) program is a collection of activities with such diverse options as weight lifting, • pilates, dance and traditional “open gym” and they are seeing positive results with overall academic performance

9. L V Rogers [Public] Nelson ESL (%): 2.5 Special needs (%): 6.4 French Immersion (%): 14.7 Academic Performance = 2008 Average exam mark = 72.2 Percentage of exams failed = 3.3 School vs exam mark difference = 3.2 Math gender gap = 1.3 Graduation rate = 99.0 Overall rating out of 10 = 7.8 Comparison to higher ranking schools in districts in BC: Burnaby 4.7 – 6.5 – 1/8 schools at 7.8 Myscrop Coquitlam 6.4 7.6 – 1/8 schools at 7.8 in Pt. Moody North Van – 5.6 – 7.5 – 1/6 schools at 8.1 Handworth Richmond – 5.6 – 7.7 – only 1/10 schools at 7.7 Surrey – 5.0 – 7.7 most in 5 to 6.8 Vancouver – 4.2- 6.9 range with 1/7 schools at 7.8 Point Grey West Van – 8.2, 8.3, 7.6 Comox – 5.5,6.6, 6.1 Victoria – 4.8 – 7.7 and only 1/6 schools at 7.7 Nanaimo – 2.0 – 6.0 with only 1/8 schools at 7.6 with 50% below 5.0 Sooke – 4.3 Langley – 4.6 – 7.4 with only 1/8 at 7.4 Vernon – 4.7, 5.8, 6.1, 7.6 Quesnel – 5.5, 5.2 Rocky Mountain – 4.7, 6.0, 6.5 Fraser Institute Rankings of LVR Compared to other districts in BC 2008 Fraser Institute Award Winner for Academic Excellence

10. English/Chinese Stats in Nelson • LVR – 900 Canadian students and 9 Chinese students • City of Nelson - less than .01% of residents are Chinese • Two Chinese restaurants – good – because food is comfort • 5 high schools in the district and only 1 has Chinese students, the rest have zero so the potential for growth for Chinese enrollment is available and welcomed. • Small town is welcoming of students from China as this is interesting to Canadians and friendships are made quickly.

11. Fees per year: Tuition = $12,000 Homestay = $7,000 Application = $200 Homestay placement fee = $200 Maintenance fee = $500 Total = $19,900 CDN IPSEA statistics show: 20 districts have tuition less than $12,000- but all charge medical of $700 which means the total cost is $19,950 but the quality of their schools is significantly lower than Kootenay Lake District. No cost savings to parents. 10 districts have a $12,000 – all have the additional cost of medical and all have higher homestay fees yet all have lower educational performance statistics in their schools.Cost savings to parents of at least $700 - $1000. North Vancouver - $22,550 quality 90% of their schools is lower than that in Kootenay Lake. Cost savings to parents $2550. West Van - $23,625 1/3 scored the same as LVR, the other two only slightly higher. Schools fill up fast in this district leaving a cost savings to come to Nelson of $3675 for parents. Kootenay Lake School District is the best value for the best education and English learning environment. Cost Comparison and Value to Parents

12. Types of Programs Offered • BC Secondary School Graduation diploma • Calculus Math classes at LVR • ESL support in all schools • Career preparation programs – Business with direct transfer to the University of the Fraser Valley • Fine Arts – drama, music, visual and performing arts • Athletic programs – volleyball, basketball, field hockey, curling, skiing, golfing, swimming, track and field, baseball, mountain biking, etc. • Elective course selection – one of the largest in the province – helps students to enjoy lifeskill learning and refresh for the more difficult academic course learning • Skills Academy – in dance • ACIT Tourism and Wilderness Program • LVTV – Broadcasting, camera crew, production skills • After school homework and oral English practice – three days per week • ACE – cultural field trips to experience Nelson’s lifestyle with outdoor pursuits.

13. Schools • There are 5 high schools in the Kootenay Lake District #8 and all International Students are able to choose which school they would like to attend. • High Schools are: LVR Mt. Sentinel Prince Charles School Salmo Secondary Kaslo School

14. Dogwood Graduation in BC International students wanting to earn a Dogwood Certificate for graduation and entrance into university or college must earn credit for courses in the following categories through instruction from a British Columbia-certified teacher. No Equivalency review or Challenge process is permitted: • Language Arts 11 • Language Arts 12 • One of Science 11 or 12 • One of Mathematics 11 or 12 • Social Studies 11 • Planning 10 • Other Graduation Program courses may receive credit through an Equivalency review or Challenge process. • For Socials Studies 11 and Language Arts 12, students must write the Required Provincial Exams. All other provincial Grade 12 exams are optional. • REQUIRED COURSES: • Subject Area Minimum Credits • Planning 10 4 • a Language Arts 10 - 4 credits • a Language Arts 11 - 4 credits • a Language Arts 12 – 4 credits • a Mathematics 10 - 4 credits • a Mathematics 11 or 12 - 4 credits • a Fine Arts and/or Applied Skills 10, 11 or 12 - 4 credits • Social Studies 10 - 4 credits • a Social Studies 11 or 12 - 4 credits • Science 10 - 4 credits • a Science 11 or 12 - 4 credits • Physical Education 10 – 4 credits • 48 credits • 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 Grade12 Language Arts course. Others may be required or elective courses. • Students write five Graduation Program exams: Language Arts 10, Science 10, Mathematics 10, a Social Studies 11/12, and a Language Arts 12. Other Grade 12 exams are optional. • 48 credits from required courses in grade 10, 11, 12 • 28 credits from elective courses, and • 4 credits from Graduation Transitions. • .

15. Graduation Rates for International Students Since the program began in 1999 we have had a very high graduation rate for international students, some with honors and a whopping 100% have gone on to colleges or universities after graduation. The school and program staff support students by helping them to register for universities and colleges early so that they will have conditional letters of acceptance once they finish grade 12. GREAT • UBC – math/engineering/commerce • McGill – Sciences (medical degree) • U of T – business & science • U of A in Edmonton – science (medicine) • U of C – economics • Calgary School of Applied Art • Stanford University – science (medicine) • U of SC – performing arts • Langara College – business • Kwantlan College – business • Selkirk College – business • Mount Royal College in Calgary • Selkirk College - Sciences

16. Graduation • Last June, LVR had 38 Provincial Scholarship Award Winners out of a class of 190 students. This was far higher than any other school in the East or West Kootenays, as well as many Okanagan, Victoria and Vancouver area schools as well. This is usually 10 -15% of our grade 12 students writing exams which is significantly higher than the provincial average of 7- 8%. The girl seen in this picture, Erin Chen, scored 86% on the English 12 provincial final which is a significant achievement for an international student. Derek Lai, seen below at the grad ceremonies received a $500 scholarship for his achievement and the loudest applause at the ceremony from his Canadian peers.

17. Student Orientation Soon After Arrival • The first day of school, all students receive a comprehensive orientation followed by a weekend activity athletic activity such as kayaking, river rafting, spelunking, or hiking. The outline of our orientation is found on the home page of our website. This orientation gives them a great start to their year by covering important imformation in the school, community and homestay. We even teach the students how to make a bagged lunch.

18. Support for International Students • English as a second language instruction in all schools as a pull out from the regular immersed classroom setting. (Duktra- research shows this type of language learning to be the best for students learning a second language) • A student counselor who is very skilled at supporting international students with course scheduling and most importantly, college and university application support. • Multilingual workers who work with the students, especially to ensure a successful homestay experience. • District and school based excursions, tournaments, and ski trips are arranged during the school year.

19. Extra Curricular Activities • All students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities because research clearly shows that a student’s self esteem affects their ability to learn and do well academically. • Testimonial from Maaike Del Villar of Mexico – “other districts and language schools promise that our kids will be involved in activities after school and really help to create a wonderful, well rounded experience for them, but only yours has really made it happen in the way we were taught to believe and dream. Thank you!” Feb. 2006.

20. Our Fees are All Inclusive • Our fees include: • All tuition and regular course fees • Orientation costs • BC Medical insurance • All elective course fees such as band equipment rental fees, wood working class project fees, metal work, cooking, sewing, TV broadcasting, jewelry making, drama, stage craft, drafting, pottery, visual arts, jazz choir, etc. • Airport pick up and delivery costs • Book rental fees and locker rental fees • Custodian/guardianship fees • Choice of a ski, fitness, soccer, snow boarding, rowing, or other after school activity to a total of $400 per year per full time equivalent student. This is pro-rated for half year students.

21. Full year students receive their choice of a free fitness, ski or golf pass: Everyone can enjoy the many outdoor pursuits in Nelson’s outdoors: • Kayaking/canoeing • hiking • biking on mountain trails • soccer • skate boarding • golfing • horse back riding • rappelling • good old fashioned fun at the beach await any enthusiastic participant. • Dance • Choir • Pottery

22. Acceptance and Friendship • Nelson is a friendly, inviting small city as international students find friends quickly and these friendships last a life time. • Nelson’s schools are tolerant accepting places to be for international students. Long after students leave our district for university or college they continue to email me that they miss their Nelson and Creston friends and homestay and really appreciated and valued how nice the local students were to them compared to other larger metropolitan areas in Canada. • Local Canadian students are quick to include international students in their friendship circles. Once a student has a connection to a friend, the conversational English improves significantly.

23. Homestay Application Process • Testimonials: From Cissi, Sino Canada School – Shanghai I am sad to leave Nelson because I will miss my host parents verymuch and my friends I made here. The people here are so very good and if I have a problem they help me very much and don’t make me do it by myself. In China people don’t help me the same. • The teachers are very good. Everyday Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Kroeker smile at me and help me to speak English. I like my school (LVR) very much and I came here to study and learn English and it makes me so happy. In China when I learn English it is not good as here because here everyday when I learn English I feel up and up. I think other people from China would like to come to Nelson. Everyday is so happy here and I love to go to school and I love to talk to the teacher. Here the teacher is a friend but in China the teacher is not a friend and so it is not happy in Chinese school. Here it is different. Good different.

24. School Configurations • Class size in middle school – 22-28 students per class • Class size in high school – 20–30 students per class depending on the subject. Many of the academic classes such as Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics in many of our highschools are as low as 16 students per class. • ESL classes – 15 per class at highschool • Semester system – 5 months per course – chance to complete early or redo for a higher grade • Hands-on learning • After school homework support and English Language Acquisition classes to enhance proficiency and confidence with English.

25. Conclusion • Our mission clearly states that: WE FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE IN A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT • Kootenay Lake School District welcomes the opportunity to educate and socialize international students. Students in our district learn English very quickly and become more successful at school because of the high percentage of native speakers in our schools and the very low percentage of Chinese students in our district schools. • Come to Nelson, BC, Canada and let us IMPRESS you!

26. Website Visit our website at: http://www.countryhomestudy.com Or contact: Ingrid Savard at: Office: 250-352-2064 Cell: 250-551-2685 Fax: 250-352-2064 Email: esl@countryhomestudy.com