Policies

Standards

Programs consist of a variety of academic components as described in the following list:

Core Subjects

Refer to the speciality training and knowledge you need for your career. You must achieve a minimum of 65% in core subjects.

Non-core Subjects

Refer to training and knowledge required to ensure you have the basic skills required for employment. You must achieve a minimum of 50% in non-core subjects.

Apprenticeship Programs

Refers to the Provincial Apprenticeship Trades programs, which require a minimum of 70% in all subject areas. Provincial Apprenticeship Trades programs also require a set number of accumulative training hours. Further information regarding this requirement is available at each campus.

Work Term

Refers to a professionally arranged on-site training period, which provides you with an opportunity to gain experience in your field. Work terms are a valuable component of your program as they offer you an opportunity to gain experience, to get to know people in your field of study; in some instances work terms have led to employment opportunities. Students are typically not paid during their work term experience; however, some hosts may choose to do so. If the work term is a required component of your program, you must successfully complete it in order to graduate. The work term evaluation will be completed by the work term host in consultation with campus work term personnel. Work terms must be completed during the academic period indicated in your program outline, unless other arrangements are approved by campus administration in consultation with your instructor and work term personnel. Your instructor and work term personnel will provide you with the details of the work term process and the details of work term monitoring as this component of your program draws near.

Practicum

Refers to projects, assignments, seminars, etc., assigned by instructors in addition to duties assigned by hosts while in the field. Please refer to your program outline to see if the practicum component is relevant to you.

Related Training

Refers to components such as professional certifications, workshops, conferences, etc. If they are part of your training program, they may offer you the opportunity to network with others in your chosen field and/or to gain required certifications. These components help to increase your employability.

Semester

A semester is approximately 15 weeks in duration.

Expenses Incurred

Expenses such as board, medicals, and clothing for work terms, practicums, and related training outside Academy Canada are the student's responsibility.

Course Outlines

Course outlines will be distributed to students during the first week of classes for each individual course. These descriptions will give students a brief overview of topics to be covered during the course and the evaluation scheme to be followed.

Course Exemptions

Course credits from other post-secondary institutions may be eligible for transfer towards your program of study at Academy Canada. If you have credits that are related to a program for which you are registered, you can apply for a course exemption in writing. Requests for course exemptions must be accompanied with an official transcript and course description from a post secondary institution where a course was completed.

Exemption requests should be forwarded to the Campus Registrar who may consult a Campus Principal, applicable instructor, or curriculum personnel. For each course an exemption is granted, TC or Transfer Credit will be recorded on your official transcript. Marks from other institutions will not be calculated towards your final overall average. Refunds are not applicable to courses from your exempted courses. High School or Adult Basic Education courses are not eligible for exemption requests except for some Advanced Placement courses.

In the case of an appropriate trades course, you must have mastered at least 70% of all theory and practical components of the course.

Is there a fee for course exemptions?

No fee is currently charged for a simple transfer creidt.

Are there a maximum number of course exemptions?

Course exemptions should not exceed more than 20% of a particular program.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Academy Canada's Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, herein referred to as PLAR, is a process whereby previous learning is recognized and credited. Through this process, a variety of measurement tools are used to assist you in identifying and demonstrating knowledge, skills and competencies, and attitudes acquired through activities such as employment, volunteer or community work, work based courses, or training and self-instruction. Academy Canada's PLAR process provides students with an opportunity to document or demonstrate that they have achieved at least 70% of the objectives or a given course. In a case of an apprenticeship trades course, you must have mastered at least 70% of each theory or practical components of a course.

How will PLAR be assessed?

Challenge Examinations - Examinations are designed by a course instructor for students who have not attended a course, but have provided evidence they have met the accomplished course outcomes. Recommended for students who are requesting credit for highly theoretical courses.

Portfolio Development - A portfolio is a compilation of information about a person's knowledge, skills, and life and work history from non-formal learning experiences. The main objective of the portfolio is to express the knowledge, skills, and learning experiences attained. The portfolio is recommended for students who are requesting credit for practical courses.

Equivalencies - Equivalencies are awarded to students who have completed and have been evaluated in programs, professional licenses, or professional certificates outside the college system. This method also gives recognition for work-based education and training, union, professional and government sponsored initiatives, and non-credit courses.

Is there a fee for PLAR?

A $50 assessment fee must accompany all applications.

Tests

Tests are scheduled by your instructor. Our instructors strive to establish test dates as early as possible in order to assist you in planning your time effectively.

Missed Test Policy

1. If you are going to miss a test, you must inform your instructor before the test is scheduled to begin. It is at the instructor's discretion to determine if the reason you give is valid. Please be prepared to supply supporting documentation if requested.
2. If you have been given an excused absence from a test, you must write the test within the week of your return.
3. Instructors are not permitted to allow rewrites to boost marks.
4. Our College recommends that our instructors schedule missed exams after regular class hours.

Assignment Submission Policy

1. Ample time will be given to complete out-of-class assignments and such assignments are expected on the given due date.
2. Unless excused by the instructor (for serious medical emergencies, etc.) 5% per day, including weekends, will be deducted for each day an assignment is late. As assignments are normally given well in advance, it is anticipated that few exceptions will be granted.

Supplementary Exams

Supplementary exams provide students with a second opportunity to meet the minimum pass mark for a course. They are not a right but a privilege. They are granted at your instructor's and administration's discretion. In deciding whether to permit a supplementary exam, the administration, in consultation with your instructor, will consider such things as your attendance, past academic performances, your commitment to the program, etc. Except in exceptional circumstances the following requirements must be met:

1. Students must have attended 50% + 1 of all classes.
2. Students must have obtained a minimum grade of no less than 15 points below the pass grade of the course.

The grade achieved in a supplementary exam will appear on your transcript as the final grade unless otherwise administration agreed in consultation with your instructor. Each supplementary exam you write costs $20. This non-refundable fee is payable before you write the exam. These exams are scheduled as administration determined for each campus. All supplementary examinations must be completed within one year of registered program's end date. Supplementary grades are indicated with an asterisk on your transcript.

Re-reads

Re-reads refer to an opportunity to have an evaluation re-assessed. Request forms are available through the Registrar's office. Each re-read will cost $20; this charge may be credited to your account or refunded should your mark increase.

Progress Reports

You will receive a progress report approximately every four months. These reports are instructor completed. Academic performance, attendance, reliability, peer relations and commitment to the program are examples of the areas in which you will be assessed in the progress report. Students who are not meeting College set standards are placed on probation. Such individuals will be required to meet with campus administrators to discuss means of improving performance.

Attendance

Employers expect perfect or near-perfect attendance and our instructors require the same. To monitor your performance, daily attendance records are kept on file. Students who receive financial assistance from a sponsoring agency should consult with the counselor in order to determine conditions that may apply to them. Please be advised that funding agencies also have the right to revoke financial assistance based upon lack of attendance and/or academic performance. The following policies apply to all Academy Canada students:

1. Students are expected to attend all classes, labs, field trips, etc., in which they are registered. Evaluation in any course is cumulative and based on class assignments, participation and examinations. Your instructor will inform you about course evaluation schemes.
2. Excused absences will be granted by the instructor for illness when accompanied by a doctor's note stating the number of days approved for sickness. As well, excused absences are granted for bereavement, family illness and other causes as approved by the instructor.
3. Students must telephone the school before the start of class to inform the instructor of any absence. All required documentation (doctor's notes, etc.) must be presented to the instructor immediately upon returning to class.
4. Non-emergency medical visits should be scheduled after class hours.
5. If unexcused absences hinder academic performance in any given month, the student may be required to report to the Registrar's Office. Should absenteeism and academic performance continue to fall below standards, the student will be required to justify their continued enrolment to the College's campus administration. Students who have less than reasonable attendance may be placed on attendance probation. Excessive unexcused absenteeism may result in dismissal from our College. Appeals to decisions made by the campus administration can be made to the Board of Directors.
6. Tardiness and leaving class early will be treated in the same manner as unexcused absences.
7. It is the student's responsibility to catch up on any work missed because of absences.

Excessive absenteeism results, in most cases, in a student's inability to maintain the academic standards set by our College.

Academic Probation

A student who is unsuccessful in a course(s) will be placed on academic probation. If you subsequently pass a supplementary exam in the given course(s), this designation will be removed. Otherwise you will stay on academic probation for the term and be required to meet with your instructor-advisor and campus administration to develop goals for improved academic performance.

Should you complete the current term's courses in a satisfactory manner, you will be allowed to continue in your studies but will be required to meet with your instructor-advisor and campus administration to develop a plan to complete the outstanding course(s) from the previous term. However, should you continue to fail course(s) while on academic probation, you may be dismissed from the program.

Notwithstanding Academy Canada's policies, funding agencies, including Canada Student Loans, have a right to revoke financial assistance for students who do not maintain satisfactory academic standards.

Punctuality

Instructors differ in the way they handle students who are late. Late students cause a disruption. Your instructor will clearly state their classroom policy regarding tardiness. Please respect their guidelines.

Academic Dishonesty

1. Plagiarism - presenting the work of others as your own, including literary works, reports, mathematical solutions, data, and computer programs.
2. Cheating
   1. using unauthorized aids, assistance or materials
   2. assisting others in cheating
   3. re-submitting, without the instructor's permission, your own work or that of others for which credit was already obtained in another course.

The consequences of plagiarism or cheating will range from a zero grade on an evaluation to suspension and potential dismissal depending on the severity of the situation.

Dismissal

A student may be dismissed from Academy Canada if one or more of the following situations arise:

1. A student breaches Academy Canada's Academic Dishonesty Policy.
2. A student has missed an excessive amount of available class time, unless an excused absence is granted.
3. A student has been placed on probation and has not met Academy Canada academic standards in two consecutive terms (see Academic Probation Policies).
4. A student demonstrates other inappropriate conduct including, but not limited to, willful disruption of class, discrimination, sexual harassment, abusive or threatening language or gestures, injury to persons or damage to property, theft, the use or distribution of illegal drugs and/or the consumption or distribution of alcohol.
5. A student breaches Academy Canada's Improper Computer Usage and Pornography Policy.

These policies apply on campus and during all Academy Canada activities off campus.

Disciplinary Procedures

Academy Canada subscribes to a process of progressive discipline. Where disciplinary action is required, consequences can include verbal or written reprimand, grade of zero on an examination, suspension or dismissal depending on the severity of the situation.

Appeals Committee

Students who have been dismissed from Academy Canada have an option to appeal the decision. A letter of appeal may be forwarded to the Board of Directors for review. The Board of Directors will review the situation and render a decision. In some cases, the Board may choose to meet with appropriate personnel and render a decision to all parties.

Complaint Resolution Process

Students with concerns should make all reasonable attempts to resolve the issue directly with the instructor or other members of the College staff.

If the concern is unresolved, the student should contact the campus Principal or Vice-Principal. The administrator will attempt to resolve the issue in a timely manner. This process may involve utilizing the services of internal or external persons (example counsellor). The administrator may arrange an independent review of the issue by one or more individuals and may also consult with Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education personnel during the review process.

In the event that the complaint involves an administrator, the student should make all reasonable attempts to resolve the issue with the administrator. If the concern is unresolved, the student should contact Academy Canada's Board of Directors, in writing, who will initiate a process similar to that outlined above.

Students are encouraged to exhaust these internal mechanisms before referring the complaint to the Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education or other external agencies.

Improper Computer Usage and Pornography

The following are computer rules that affect all Academy Canada students. Violation of these regulations may constitute grounds for disciplinary action including dismissal.

1. Students are not permitted to use chat line software of any type (this includes ICQ, Microsoft Chat and Netscape Chat, etc.).
2. Use of Academy Canada Internet connection to access pornographic, violent or otherwise objectionable material is strictly prohibited. Possession of such material on school property is also forbidden.
3. Downloading of hacking software or instructions is not permitted.
4. Affecting another computer system in any way -- planting viruses or sending nukes -- is considered sabotage and will result in severe repercussions.
5. Using another student's personally owned computer (i.e. some Computer Programming classes) without permission is forbidden.
6. Accessing computer systems belonging to instructor(s) in any Lab/Classroom is strictly prohibited. Use of these systems without permission will be perceived as intent to obtain unauthorized material.
7. Downloading and installing any computer programs from the Internet are not permitted without instructor permission.
8. Establishing a Full Control network share, into which anyone can drop files, is forbidden.
9. Students are responsible for all materials existing on their systems.
10. Use of non-school software or CD burners is strictly forbidden without the permission of campus administration.
11. Students are responsible for all materials attached to their Internet accounts. A proxy server will log every site a student will access on the Internet. Academy Canada will have a record of every student's Internet history.

Please understand that these rules are for the protection of every student at Academy Canada. These precautions will ensure that no one can implicate you in any questionable situation.

GENERAL POLICIES

Dress Code

At Academy Canada, we require all students to dress appropriately for a professional College environment. Although some programs (i.e. Hairstylist, Esthetics, Shop Trades, etc.) have specific dress codes, most permit casual attire. Please note that your instructor may establish specific classroom policies that apply to dress. It is expected that students will dress appropriately when visiting outside organizations or groups. While on work terms, students are required to adhere to the dress codes of the work term hosts.

Student Accident Insurance Benefits

Academy Canada offers students Accident Insurance benefits. For further information about these benefits, please see the Business Office at your campus.

Smoking

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the College.

Telephone Calls

Students will not be called out of class for personal calls, except in an emergency. In most cases, a message will be posted on the bulletin board or monitor space set aside for this purpose. The telephone at the front desk is unavailable for students use. There are pay phones located at each campus for personal calls.

Photocopying

Photocopier services are available on campus for a small fee.

Equipment

The equipment at our College has been obtained to help train you. Many of these pieces are very costly to replace. College equipment is never to be removed from the campus premises without permission from administration and should always be handled with the utmost care and caution. In short, treat equipment as if it were your own.

Cafeteria

Each campus provides food services in our cafeteria areas.

Hours

Students will generally have 25-30 hours of structured academics per week (science lab, computer lab, research and tutorial times or applied learning may require additional hours depending on your program.). Your classes will generally be scheduled between 8:00 am and 6:30 pm depending on your program and may vary throughout the year depending on the courses you require. While exceptions will vary, Senior Administration reserves the right to schedule classes outside these hours.

Change of Address

We like to keep in touch with all of our students, both current and graduated. Therefore, we will be asking you to provide us with your hometown address and current address. If you change your address, please let us know. Correspondence, including your diploma/certificate, will be forwarded to the address we have on file for you.

Personal Belongings

Unfortunately, even in the friendly environment of Academy Canada we have been victims of theft. As a result, we strongly advise that you do not leave valuables, including textbooks, in your classroom without supervision. Academy Canada does not assume responsibility for missing books, personal items, etc. For the convenience of students, lockers are available in a variety of sizes for a fee. You may rent lockers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Student Resource Center

Academy Canada has established Student Resource Centers at each campus. These centers have been established primarily to help students obtain information related to employment prospects and to help students prepare for their employment search. The Center will help the student identify job openings; help students and graduates search for pertinent information; help with the preparation of cover letters and resumes, as well as provide access to computers and printers. In essence, the Resource Center is an office where students and graduates can work to gain employment.

Job Search Support

The ultimate goal of all graduates is to find employment. In order to support you in this process, Academy Canada offers the services of Employment Coordinators. Their role is to build partnerships with the community and to identify any employment opportunities that may be appropriate for you.

Activities

Academy Canada welcomes student involvement in campus activities and we encourage you to take part. Students are invited to plan and organize events in conjunction with their homeroom class on behalf of the student body. If you have any ideas for social events, we would love to hear from you!

Unscheduled Closing Times

Campus administration reserves the right to close the campus and cancel classes in the event that inclement weather or other circumstances warrant. Students will be notified of such closures through public service announcements, local radio stations, or Academy Canada website's "Weather Alert" page.

Hours of Operation

For detailed hours of operation, please contact your campus administrator.