Academics

Course Change/Withdrawal 

Students have one week at the beginning of a new semester to request a course change from your counsellor that may or may not be approved after being reviewed by counsellors/administration. 

Advanced Placement 

The Advanced Placement Program® enables students to take university-level courses and exams while they are still in Secondary School.  Through AP courses, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of issues that prepare them for college and beyond. The National exam given at the end of the school year (May) is a measurement of your acquired knowledge in a particular subject area. However, the exam has bearing only for post-secondary credit and does not impact your school grade.  Passing the AP exam with a score of 3 or higher on a 5-point scale earns college credit that your child may transfer to a university accepting AP credit.  Not all universities accept AP credit, or they may require higher than a 3 for credit. Please check with your child’s choice of university to review their policy. 

Students may only write AP exams for courses that are offered at Yale. The cost to Yale students enrolled in Yale AP courses is $130.00 for exams ordered by October 31st, and $180.00 per exam ordered between November 1st and March 1st.  To facilitate a smooth collection of funds and ensure accurate ordering of exams for those taking them, payment must be made in your School Cash Account prior to the above order dates.  If your child should opt not to take the AP exam after orders have been placed, they will incur a $55.00 AP College Board cancellation fee per exam. The remaining balance of your payment will be returned to you. 

We encourage Yale students wanting to write AP exams to enroll in the AP course at Yale. Yale Students wanting to register for an AP exam and are not enrolled in a Yale AP course will pay $165.00 for exams ordered by October 31st, and $200.00 per exam ordered between November 1st and March 1st.   

Numeracy & Literacy Assessment 

As part of the updated graduation requirements, students are required to write the provincial Grade 10 Numeracy and Literacy assessments and the Grade 12 Literacy Assessment. The numeracy assessment will ask critical thinking and problem-solving       questions within relevant contexts and scenarios. Graduation Literacy Assessment measures the essential cross- curricular aspects of literacy – critically analyzing diverse texts and communicating with purpose and awareness. 

Students can re-take the Graduation Assessments to improve their proficiency score. Your best level achieved will be counted as your final result. The results of the numeracy assessment will be reported on students’ transcripts, using a four-point proficiency scale: 
1. Emerging (initial understanding) 
2. Developing (partial understanding) 
3. Proficient (complete understanding) 
4.  Extending (sophisticated understanding) 

https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/provincial/grade-10-numeracy-assessment 

https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/provincial/grade-10-literacy-assessment 

https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/provincial/grade-12-literacy-assessment 

Sample Assessments: 

https://bced.vretta.com/#/en/bced-landing/grad/sample 

School Based Semester End Assessments 

Semester End/School-based Course assessments are administered near the end of each semester: late January and late June. There is an expectation that Yale students will have completed the course requirements prior to writing their Semester End/School-based Course Exam. This expectation ensures that each student is adequately prepared for the examination. There is also an expectation that students will write their Semester End/School-based Course Exams on the scheduled day. Schedules for these exams will be posted and/or communicated to students by classroom teachers near the end of each semester. 

Career Centre 

Would you like to work as an Electrician, in Construction, Auto Mechanic, Professional Cook etc. while you are in high school? Stop by today and see what is available to you and to register. Students may visit the Career Centre for information concerning Police, Fire, Hospital Academies, Trade Apprenticeships, and Post-Secondary Counselling/Advising. For university and college information from across Canada and the USA. The Career Centre is located in the Learning Commons. Drop in at lunch or after school or schedule an appointment. All grades welcome! 

Other areas of information include: 
-Work Experience 12 (earn up to 16 credits from working) 
-Volunteer opportunities - police, fire, hospital, schools (earn 4 credits) 
-Apprenticeships (starts working in the trades - earn a scholarship) 
-Participating in a Co-op program where students can work for a semester 
-Post-secondary advice/assistance 
-Enter into a District Career Program (refrigerator mechanic, drafting, hairstylist, cook, electrician, welding, construction, landscaping, operating heavy equipment, auto mechanics, and animation arts. 

Mr. Byron – Career Programs Coordinator Greg.byron@abbyschools.ca 

Academic Study Block 

Yale Secondary offers a rich variety of courses, and we believe that students should take advantage of the opportunity for a full education. An academic study block is a privilege reserved for Gr 12 students who have challenging academic course loads. If you qualify, you can have only one study block in during the school year. During a study block, students are expected to be in one of the following areas: student lounge, multipurpose area, Learning Commons, or the cafeteria.  

All applicants must have:  
1) Excellent attendance in their previous year 
2) Good work habits 
3) An 86% average in their Gr. 11 year 
4) 5 university entrance approved Academic grade 12 courses. (Non-Yale courses do not qualify) 
5) NO disciplinary record/issues.  

-Students in Grades 9-11 will not be eligible for a study except for a case-by-case basis. 
-Students in Grade 11 need 5 Honours courses to qualify for a study block.  
-Students in academies will be considered on an individual basis. 
-Students with a history of poor attendance or academic non-performance will be denied a study block.  
-Grade 12 students taking an online course with a DL or AVS (Distance Learning or Abbotsford Virtual School) support block may not be considered for a study block in that semester.  

Homework 

Students are expected to do all work assigned by their teachers. Students are expected to do regular home study which is the review, reading and preparation that goes beyond homework. Failure to do homework may result in teacher assigned consequences.   

BYOD (Bring Your own Device)  

Students are encouraged to bring a Chromebook or laptop from home to supplement how teachers are designing their courses with an inquiry focus that cannot be obtained with a traditional textbook as the sole learning resource. Student learning will benefit greatly by having easy and regular access to a device for research, inquiry, projects, and more. Students accessing the Internet allows students curiosity to blossom. If a student has a question and uses their device to find an answer, this may ideally lead to more questions. Often these new questions are sharper and can lead to deeper learning. The use of Google Suite of apps also helps to keep students organized and on-task, resulting in more effective collaboration among students and the teacher.  

Homework Club 

Students who need extra time or support in their academic studies are encouraged to attend Homework Club. It runs after school Monday to Thursday 2:30 – 3:30.  

If you show up, we can help. 

Student Evaluation and Reports 

At the beginning of the year, students will receive from each subject teacher a course outline detailing course objective, evaluation procedures and other expectations. Two formal grading reports will be issued during the year at the end of each semester in January and in June. In addition, interim reports will be emailed or sent home at any time with your child. The school will strive to maintain a close liaison with the home. Parents are welcome to contact members of the Faculty and Staff by calling (604) 853-0778 or emailing by going to the web site https://yale.abbyschools.ca/about/staff. Academic progress in courses can be viewed online by accessing the https://myeducation.gov.bc.ca/aspen/logon.do Parents/students are to get password from teachers. 

Percentages and Letter Grades 

Students with incomplete work or who are in danger of failing will be issued an “I” (Incomplete). In consultation with teachers, students may be given an extended opportunity to complete the required work. 

Student Recognition 

Honour Roll 

Yale Secondary recognizes students who show excellence in their studies through the Honour Roll. Each semester students who achieve honour roll will receive a certificate. Honour Roll recipients are students who have received all A’s and B’s in the classes they are enrolled in during the semester. Most extended day classes are not used in the Honour Roll calculations. 

NOTE: To be eligible for Honour Roll, students must be enrolled at Yale Secondary in a full-time program  (3 or more classes in the semester during the regular scheduled day). 

Examples of courses that will not be used in the calculation: Work Experience, Youth Work in Trades, AP Tutorial, Careers 9, Extended Day Career Courses and Trades Classes. AP courses that have dual credit will only have the AP mark used in the calculation. 

• Students must have a 72.5% or higher in all classes that are used in the calculation. 
  EX: 1 qualifying class with less than a “B” disqualifies the student from Honour Roll. 

• Students must have a G or an S as a work habit for all courses. 

• Students must have a minimum of three courses during the regular day to qualify. 

Principal’s Academic Honour Roll  

Students must have completed English and 4 of the following courses in their grade with an average of 90% or better.  Calculations will be made using English and the top 4 marks in the other subject areas. AP courses that have dual credit  will only have the AP mark used in the calculation. 

Note: Any mark less than a "B" (73%) will disqualify you from Principal's HR        

• ENGLISH: English 9, English 10, English 11, English 12 

• MATHEMATICS: Math 9, Foundations of Math Precalculus 10, Foundations of Math 11, Precalculus Math 11, Foundations of Math 12, Precalculus Math 12, Calculus 12 

• LANGUAGES: French 9, Spanish 9, French 10, Spanish 10, French 11, Spanish 11, French 12, Spanish 12, Halq'emeylem 11/12  

• SCIENCE: Science 9, Science 10, Life Sciences 11, Chemistry 11, Physics 11, Anatomy and Physiology 12, Chemistry 12, Physics 12, Geology 12 

• SOCIAL STUDIES: Social Studies 9, Social Studies 10, Explorations in Social Studies 11, History 12, Human Geography 12, Social Justice 12, Law 12, Genocide Studies 12, Psychology 12, Philosophy 12

Principal's Honour Roll is calculated each summer and certificates will be emailed out to parents. 

Student Of the Month 

Each month we select a Gr. 12 student that goes above and beyond in (extra-curricular, service to others, demonstrating good virtues etc.).  The teacher nominated student meets the following criteria: 
-Demonstrate school spirit. 
-Have a positive influence on self and others. 
-Make a positive difference in the school / or community. 
-Demonstrate a notable commitment to outstanding achievement in academics, fine arts, and / or technology / applied  skills. 
-Demonstrate a commitment to leadership in and around the school or community. 

Year End Awards of Excellence 

Program Awards 

Awards for each program are awarded based not only on marks, but on effort, participation, and proficiency in personal and social competencies. 

Service Medals 

In recognition of outstanding service to the school and greater community in which we live 

Specialty Awards 

-Math & Science Contests 
-Outstanding Grade 10 Scholar: High proficiency of achievement across subject areas (including PEHE, Arts Education, Career Education, and ADST), and in both academic achievement and Personal and Social competencies (considering both personal and social responsibility). 
-The top Grade 10 student at your school will receive a certificate of achievement and a cheque in the amount of $200. 

Major Awards

Outstanding Leadership 

Presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding Leadership above and beyond any course expectations. Strong candidates have exemplary attendance and are role models to the student body. 

Abbotsford Police Shield (Outstanding Service) 

Presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding service inside and outside the classroom. This student demonstrates outstanding community service, diversity and equality and is an outstanding mentor. Strong candidates have exemplary attendance and are role models to the student body. 

Citizenship Award (for total kindness and inclusiveness) 

The recipients will have demonstrated throughout the year: 1. Respect for school rules and expectations 2. The ability and willingness to work with others 3. Polite manners 4. Kindness 5. Honesty in all aspects of school life. Strong candidates have exemplary attendance and are role models to the student body. 

Academic Dishonesty 

We expect students to strive for academic excellence in an honest manner. We value academic integrity and ethical behavior, and will not tolerate academic misconduct of any kind including: 

Plagiarizing: 
-Copying work or homework, or lending any of your work to another student to be copied. 
-Representing any part of your work as your own that is not (this includes information from Internet sites). 

Cheating: 
-Talking/communicating in any way with other students during a test. 
-Having any unauthorized test related material on or near the student’s desk during a test. 
-Cell phone use. 
-Failing to adhere to verbal or written testing guidelines. 

Collusion: 
-Knowingly or intentionally helping another student to perform any act of cheating or plagiarism. 

Consequences: 

First Occurrence: 
-The teacher will contact the student’s parents. 
-Administration will be informed of the event and the incident will be recorded in the students conduct file. 
-The student will be given another opportunity to complete the assignment or an alternate assignment/exam. 

Second and Subsequent Occurrences:    
-The teacher will contact the student’s parents. 
-Administration will be informed of the event and the incident will be recorded in the student file. 
-Students may serve a one day in school suspension to complete the assignment or an alternate assignment/exam. 
-Repeated offences may result in out of school suspension and students not being eligible for year end awards.  
-The student will be given another opportunity to complete the assignment or an alternate assignment/exam.