Student Calendar

SUNRAY ACADEMY OF CANADA – ONLINE CALENDAR

Sunray Academy of Canada is a virtual high school. We are have been validated by the Ontario Ministry of Education and our BSID number is 883283. We have the authority to grant Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits to students in Canada and around the globe.

Our mission is to provide students with the courses, career counselling, and study/life skills they need in order to complete the high school courses that will best serve them going forward.

  1. Individuality 

At Sunray Academy, we appreciate that every student is unique and we are happy to cater to individual learning styles and IEPs. Our in-depth intake process enables us to get well acquainted with our students so that we can offer them any additional resources they need in order to thrive. We also hold weekly office hours to further ensure they have access to personalized attention, should they need it. 

 

  1. Communication 

We recognize that self-directed learning requires discipline. In order to maintain momentum, students need to feel fully engaged in the process. We also understand that parents and guardians feel more empowered when they’re involved in their child’s learning experience. With this in mind, we go to great lengths to facilitate an open dialogue between teachers and students and teachers and parents/guardians. 

 

  1. Mental Health 

Sunray Academy does not tolerate prejudice towards those struggling with mental health issues and strives to destigmatize mental illness. We are committed to helping students acquire both the study skills and life skills they need in order to overcome common stressors and succeed academically. 

 

  1. Diversity 

We welcome and proactively encourage Canadian and international students from all religious and cultural backgrounds to participate in our programs and respect the diversity of our teaching body. 

 

  1. The future 

As online educators, we take pleasure in helping our students lay the foundation for their future careers. As a school that welcomes international students, we take pride in supporting the immigration of educated newcomers, and value the role they play in supporting the economic wellbeing of Canada. 

An Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is mandatory for all students in Ontario. With the goal to provide students with higher accessibility and support in their journey to acquiring their Diplomas, Sunray Academy provides high-quality education through an intuitive, connected virtual platform. This allows students the flexibility and choice in their education that previously seemed unattainable, creating a more intelligent system to educate our students. 

 

  1. Teachers

Students located in any country can connect with their teachers through the use of our virtual systems. Digital tools developed within the Moodle Integrated Learning Platform have been to allow fluid communication between teachers and students. Versatile options facilitate natural contact according to preference assignment feedback, private email and discussion threads, and more. This ensures flexible, comprehensive learning and guidance.

 

  1. Students

Communication between students is facilitated and encouraged through the Moodle Integrated Learning Platform. Forums and discussion can be accessed between classmates and students who previously took the course.

 

  1. Administration

In order to maintain all essential administrative tasks, digital tools have been developed to allow Principals and Administrative Staff to monitor attendance, behaviour, and policy infractions with ease. This technology was designed to enhance the education system and increase effective education, and avoid the misuse and impedimental elements of digital learning. To contact Administration, students are also provided with the tools to communicate directly with the relevant staff. 

 

  1. Parents

Students under the age of 18, as well as adult students who have granted permission, may provide parent or guardian access to all online resources. Parents or guardians who were not directly granted access, they may contact Administration for information regarding grades, courses, and more. For parents and guardians to be more involved in their child’s education, a virtual grade book, report cards, and parent-teacher conferencing will be readily available. 

As with any education, it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to support and guide their child through the process of selecting courses, and for students under 18, parents retain the authority to make final decisions. Assistance and/or guidance on course selection can be provided from Administration to ensure the proper requirements are met for graduation and for future educational goals. 

News and important updates will be posted publicly online for convenient and clear communication to the community as a whole. 

 

  1. Resources

All students will have easy access to online courses, with the ability to interact with class resources on-demand. Through a comprehensive, private myBlueprint system, students will have the ability to plan their educational goals, review post-secondary and career options, and track their progress to meet Ministry Program Consideration expectations. 

 

  1. Technology

Internet connection is required for all aspects of virtual learning. Students must acquire the ability to access Moodle’s Integrated Learning Platform via your internet browser of choice. This requires JavaScript and Cookies enabled on the device, with pop-ups and redirects permitted from the online service. In order to ensure seamless function, the internet browser must be kept up-to-date.

At the discretion of the teachers and their curriculum, some courses may require additional software or hardware. This will be noted in the course outline, and may include a camera, microphone, or external speakers.

Behaviour and performance of all students will be enforced, with consequences to be determined by the Principal to ensure a respectful, functioning learning environment for all members of the community. 

 

  1. Attendance

All students under the age of 18 are required by law to attend school unless excused from attendance or having previously graduated. Attendance is an essential element of the education process, and regular absence will greatly diminish student performance. To create a more accessible, flexible attendance schedule that facilitates regular attendance, Sunray Academy has implemented the following procedures:

  1. Attendance records will be maintained by the Principal, recorded through student and teacher logins.
  2. There is no prescribed calendar for our courses. A typical online course is expected to take approximately 110 days (4 months), which assumes 75 minutes of virtual learning per day, but the timing falls to the student’s discretion.
  3. If a student plans to leave a course prior to completion, the intention must be communicated to the teacher and/or Principal.
  4. The Principal will assist in creating the curriculums in order to set appropriate evaluations and goals, to provide positive early feedback and overcome any technological barriers, therefore encouraging attendance and participation.
  5. If a student does not complete a course within 12 months of enrolment without a pre-arranged course extension from the Administration, they will be removed from the course automatically.

Attendance is maintained using learning logs where students record the number of hours spent on work. Students are expected to login on a regular weekly basis and complete at least 1 activity/per week. If students do not complete any activities for 2 weeks, there will be teacher communication. If this continues for 1 month, we will consider the student “at risk” and a follow up email will be sent to the student. Students absences are not applicable as we are a 100% virtual asynchronous school.

 

  1. Safety

Considerable effort has been made to create a safe learning environment for all students and staff by implementing the following processes to preserve the dignity and self-esteem of each student:

  1. Students are expected to act respectfully and courteously towards all members of the community, including peers and staff. Profanities are unacceptable in any manner. This applies to all communication tools.
  2. Teachers and Administration maintain authority, and must be treated accordingly. In turn, students must be treated respectfully by all staff.
  3. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes threats, insults, derogatory terms, and/or prejudice, and should be reported to the Principal immediately. Repercussions will be determined by the Principal.

 

  1. Technology

Computers must be used in an appropriate manner at all times. The right to monitor materials stored on the file server is reserved by the School, which will be executed only in light of potential concern. To ensure proper technology usage, our processes are as follows:

  1. Learning systems used by the school are for education only. Usage of the Learning Management System for purposes apart from intended course use including commercial, recreational, inappropriate, or illegal activity is strictly prohibited. Access to the platform will be provided only if a student complies with institutional, provincial, and federal regulations.
  2. The Principal maintains the authority to terminate or suspend access to the Learning Management System alongside alternate and/or additional consequences as necessary.
  3. Intentional interference and/or damage to the platform and/or network is a criminal offence, and will be reported to the authorities.
  4. Activities conducted online are not considered private, and may be monitored and/or altered by the school as necessary.
  5. Security practices must be upheld to ensure the complete online security of the network. Students must:
    1. Report any suspicious email or private messages requesting personal information to the Principal.
    2. Never share your security information with anyone outside of your parent or guardian.
    3. Maintain vigilance in accessing material to avoid the risk of viruses and/or spyware.
    4. Be respectful of other users, and never attempt to access or alter the data of another student or the course.

 

  1. Plagiarism 

Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form. It is a serious offense, and considerable care must be taken by all students to learn and observe proper paraphrasing practices and credit proper sources. Teachers will be vigilant in checking assignments for plagiarism using detection software, alongside reliable search engines to scan the web for copied material. In order to avoid an offense, we have identified the two types of plagiarism below to educate students. 

Negligent Plagiarism:

The accidental or careless presentation of someone else’s ideas as one’s own, which may occur as incorrectly paraphrasing, or incorrect or forgotten citations.

Dishonest Plagiarism:

The intentional presentation of someone else’s work as one’s own, including deliberate lack of citation, copied text without use of a quotation (and appropriate citation), using data belonging to somebody else, and/or copying from another student.

 

  1. Integrity

Academic honesty is essential to the integrity of a school and the celebration of student achievement, and students will be held accountable for upholding their own integrity and quality of work. No amount of academic dishonesty will be tolerated, including cheating, lying, or tampering with school data and/or records. Work submitted by students will be reviewed alongside correspondence in order to check authenticity if necessary. Students must avoid academic offenses including:

  1. Cheating or dishonesty with the intention of an academic advantage.
  2. Information gathered by means outside of the permitted sources for assignments and testing.
  3. Copying the work of or working alongside another student during strictly independent work and/or assessments.
  4. Submitting work completed by somebody else, including another student or an outside party.
  5. Impersonating another student, or being impersonated by another student, in order to complete any assignments or assessments. 
  6. Benefitting from any study aid not permitted by regulations or a student’s Individual Education Plan during an assessment.
  7. Sharing course material or answers with another student during an assessment.
  8. Observing outside information or course materials during an examination.
  1. Evaluation

To accurately assess the progress of students, teachers will implement a variety of evaluations throughout the course including tests/quizzes, journals, projects/assignments, and essays. The intention is to improve the retention of information and assess a student’s learning and progress. The applicable assessment tools will be clearly outlined in the course information for review at the beginning of the course. Parents and guardians may request regular updates and communication on their child’s progress if the student is under 18 or has granted permission.

The assessment process will be standardized with the use of rubrics, and tracking of a student’s progress is the shared responsibility of student and teacher. If a student requires assistance and/or special exceptions, these needs must be communicated clearly according to their Individual Education Plan.

 

  1. Exceptions

Sunray Academy recognizes that every student has a different learning process, and that some may require accommodations or exceptions. Each student’s Individual Education Plan is designed to identify the needs and expectations of each student that can be implemented with each course. Learning can be altered as necessary by the teacher of each course in order to accommodate the needs of the student and work with their strengths in order to create a more in-depth, flexible learning style that supports and enhances the education process.

Ontario’s Ministry of Education has implemented a variety of policies to enhance the education of students across the province. Information about secondary education and virtual learning can be found at Ontario Schools: Kindergarten to Grade 12, Policy and Program Requirements, 2016 (OS). The Ontario Curriculum Documents that apply to each course at Sunray Academy can be viewed at the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Curriculum and Resources website, and will also be made available to students, parents, and guardians with the course information. 

 

  1. Credits 

To achieve an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, a student must obtain a certain number of credits in the credit system. A full credit includes 110 hours of learning and is granted by the Principal of the institution upon the completion of the course criteria as approved by the Ministry of Education. Courses cover a variety of subjects and interests to allow students to meet their goals.

 

  1. Course Types

Courses in the core disciplines also range in difficulty. Grade 9 and 10 students may choose between Academic and Applied level courses, depending on their strengths and learning style. The Ministry of Education continues to observe and adapt these levels to provide a seamless learning experience for all students based on research and results. 

Students will select courses based on their learning styles and overall educational goals and interests to gain a well-balanced education, with the assistance and guidance of their parents or guardians. The staff at Sunray Academy can provide suggestions and assist in the course selection process according to a student’s Individual Education Plan.

 

Academic

Focusing on theory and problem solving, Academic courses tackle the core concepts of each subject and branch out to make connections within relevant topics. Practical study is applied where a teacher deems appropriate, though the core focus is on the theoretical. Academic classes are designed to prepare students for a Grade 11 and 12 University level credits and are identified with a “D” at the end of a course code. Eg. GEO1D.

 

Applied

Focusing on the application of knowledge through the core concepts, Applied courses use concrete examples and familiar scenarios to make connections to the course material. This gives students the chance to participate in hands-on exercises as opposed to focused study. Applied courses are designed to prepare students for a Grade 11 and 12 College Workplace level credits and are identified with a “P” at the end of the course code. Eg. GEO1P. 

 

Open

Another type of course is an Open course, which allows students to build the fundamentals in a subject prior to a more in-depth course. They focus on the general enrichment of the education program, building a strong foundation of knowledge, and preparing students to take the next step. Open courses are identified with an “O” at the end of the course code. Eg. BTT2O.

 

  1. Prerequisites

Some courses require the completion of a previous course in order to join. These prerequisite courses have been identified by the Ontario Ministry of Education policy documents in order to enforce an organic education plan, and are not the authority of the school. All Ontario schools are responsible for education students and parents about the prerequisites, to allow students to accurately choose their courses to fulfil prerequisites of higher level courses. A prerequisite may be waived by the Principal on a case-by-case basis if requested by a parent or guardian, or by a student over the age of 18. This will be decided in a consultation including the appropriate teachers, guardians, and the student in order to accurately assess the situation. 

 

  1. Course Schedules

Due to the policies previously outlined by Sunray Academy, courses are not limited to a semester system. A student has the opportunity to register at any time, so long as the criteria and course prerequisites have been met. Students may then complete the coursework at the desired pace, so long as it is completed within 12 months of the registration date. 

In order to support the individual achievements and successes of all students, assessments are based on a series of principles to ensure fair, equal evaluation. For full transparency of the province-wide curricular consistency to all students and parents or guardians, the principles are to ensure that grading:

  1. Is clearly communicated and accessible to all parents and students
  2. Supports the needs of students as per their Individual Education Plan
  3. Meets the curriculum and the expectations of students
  4. Offers clear feedback to further a student’s understanding
  5. Remains fair to all students and their needs
  6. Varied and flexible
  7. Prompts students to self-evaluate

These principles are observed by all faculty to accurately assess a student’s progress, increase their understanding of the subject matter, and increase engagement on all levels. 

 

  1. Evaluation Plans

Using a variety of evaluation strategies, teachers can ensure the reliable assessment of a student’s progress and make adjustments to increase understanding when required. This is completed by:

  • Addressing the degree of learning a student acquires
  • Basing evaluation on the knowledge and achievement outlined by the curriculum
  • Administering varied assessments over the course of the program to demonstrate the progress of each student in a variety of ways
  • Using appropriate evaluations for the given material and the students’ needs
  • Maintaining a fair approach for all students
  • Accommodating all necessary exceptions as per a student’s Individual Education Plan
  • Accommodating students who speak English as a Second Language
  • Providing clear feedback to support a student’s improvement where required
  • Encouraging self-assessment and goal-setting by students
  • Using samples of a student’s work to display their achievements
  • Communicating with students and parents or guardians as appropriate throughout the course.

 

  1. Grading

Students are evaluated across a variety of categories within each subject, as per the provincial curricular policies for each discipline. This outline is intended to act as a framework for students and teachers to understand the grading criteria.

  • Students will be evaluated in four general categories, including: Knowledge & Understanding, Thinking & Inquiry, Application & and Communication. Please note that the categories vary slightly according to the discipline, though cover the same general concepts for assessment. 
  • Grading will follow the provincial format, with evaluations in each category combining to create a consistent, clear view of a student’s progress within the course. This allows teachers to provide clear feedback on the quality of a student’s work and their levels of understanding the subject matter. 
  • All teachers will have access to a wide variety of tools and materials to allow for the cohesive, standardized assessment of each student and their achievements. This allows for the assessment of their own teaching, and strategies to adapt as necessary to improve student understanding. 
  • Academic achievement will be graded with the provincial standards, which is as follows: 
Percentage Grade Range Achievement Level Summary Description
80-100% Level 4 A very high to outstanding level of achievement. Achievement is above the provincial standard.
70-79% Level 3 A high level of achievement. Achievement is at the provincial standard.
60-69% Level 2 A moderate level of achievement. Achievement is below, but approaching, the provincial standard.
50-59% Level 1 A passable level of achievement. Achievement is below the provincial standard.
below 50% Level R Insufficient achievement of curriculum expectations. A credit will not be granted.

The provincial standard is a Level 3, or 70-79% in the grading table. This is considered to be sufficient understanding of the course material, though students below the standard will still be granted a credit as long as their achievement surpasses a 50%. Students with a grade of 49% and below will not obtain the credit. 

Please note that the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) has a different achievement rate from all other courses. 

 

  1. Report Cards

Grading and academic achievement will be made available to all students and parents or guardians through the use of a standardized Secondary School Report Card. This will record each student’s achievements alongside the requirements of the curriculum in a percentage format, as well as a student’s habits and behaviour for a clear understanding of the student’s progress. The breakdown of grading as per the course expectations will be as follows:

  • Every course will include a final grade, with a credit granted on completion of a course with a grade that meets or exceeds 50%.
  • The grade will be determined by combining the achievements based on the evaluations completed throughout the course, which amounts to 70% of the final grade, and the final evaluation in the form of an examination, independent project, or a combination of the two that amounts to 30% of the final grade.

A student’s grades reflect how well they meet the expectations of the course curriculum, based on their overall achievement of each criteria. Teachers are expected to use their unbiased, professional judgement to evaluate each student, with evidence collected from a student’s work and/or testing results, observation throughout the course, and conversations between student and teacher. Judgement is to be completed by the teacher only, and does not include peer review.

 

  1. Skills

Alongside an assessment of knowledge in each subject, the report card records a student’s skills in 6 different categories relevant to their education. This includes Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative, and Self-Regulation, and is the product of the Ontario Ministry of Education’s policies. Students are evaluated on a scale that represents how well a student displays each skillset, and are graded by the following:

E – Excellent

G – Good

S – Satisfactory

N – Needs Improvement

 

  1. Feedback

Each report card will have a section reserved for the comments on a student’s performance in each course to be written by the teacher, alongside a potential section for comments from the Principal if required. 

 

  1. Determining Grades

Throughout the duration of the course, teachers will apply a variety of evaluations in order to determine the appropriate final grade to each student. This will include the professional judgement and assessment of all evidence across coursework, exams, and participation, and will reflect each student’s level of achievement throughout the course. Consideration will be given to the most recent evidence first, acknowledging the growth and progress of a student through the duration of the course. Principals and teachers work together to ensure that grading follows all Ministry of Education policies and meets the curriculum requirements, and finalize the grades as a percentage that falls within the mandated grading chart. This will be completed through the use of personal judgement as well as reliable mathematical calculations. 

 

  1. Course Criteria

To receive the credit for a completed course, students are responsible for completing all coursework according to the curriculum. This may include projects/assignments, discussions/journals, tests/quizzes, lab reports, and more. Students must complete all other course requirements before participating in the final assessment to complete the course. No other assignments can be submitted after the final assessment has begun, with the exception of previously negotiated circumstances. Any incomplete assignment will receive a 0. 

All Sunray Academy of Canada courses have mandatory final summative evaluations. This final summative may take the form of a final exam. To maintain academic integrity, all final exams must be written in person under the supervision of an approved proctor. Note that the specific date and time of the final exam are decided by the student, but the proctor must be approved by the teacher.

Who can act as a proctor?

A proctor is a professional adult of the student’s choosing, who is not related to the student (e.g., day school teacher, guidance counselor, coach, librarian, doctor, lawyer, accountant, small business owner, etc.) and who has a dedicated professional email address (i.e. first.lastname@business.ca). The proctor must agree to supervise the student for the duration of the exam as outlined by the instructor. The exam may be written at a time, place, and location that is most comfortable for the student. Proctors must have access to a printer and scanner and must not be related to the student.

All students enrolled in secondary school are responsible for completing a period of community involvement in order to meet the criteria for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. A student must participate for a minimum of 40 hours to be approved by the Principal. This will ensure that students understand the importance of the role they play within the community and build responsibility, and may be completed in a variety of activities with the approval of the Principal. 

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