The BC education system offers many pathways for learners of all ages, allowing individuals and families to pursue an education that fits their goals, interests, needs, and philosophies. BCHEA supports minimum government intervention in homeschooling and are an advocacy group for homeschoolers who are registered under Sec. 12 of the BC School Act.

We offer the following information about the BC school system as a public service to clarify the difference between learning options currently available in BC. Here, we will give a brief overview of the system as a whole and then talk about two options for learning at home in BC — Online Learning within the school system and Homeschooling outside of it. 

Overview of the BC School System

In British Columbia, education is governed at the provincial level under the BC School Act and is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Child Care. The province provides several pathways for children and youth to receive an education, including public schools, independent schools, online learning schools, and homeschooling.

Public Schools

The BC public school system offers essentially two choices for enrollment as a student: physical attendance at local school, or home-based studies through BC Online Learning schools.

Public schools are fully funded by the provincial government and operated by local school boards. They follow the provincial curriculum with BC certified teachers. Public schools are open to all students residing within their district.

BC’s public schools, including Online Learning schools, are inherently secular and non-sectarian in nature; no religious dogma or creed is to be taught in a provincial school. Enrollment then means that if you wish to teach your children religious materials, it must take place on an extra-curricular level (i.e., cannot be used for evidence of learning or assessment) and it must be funded wholly by the parents and not by the Ministry. Religious materials may not be submitted to the OL teacher as evidence of learning.

Independent Schools

Independent (private) schools operate outside the public school system but are regulated by the province. Independent schools offer BC parents the option to enrol their children in a school with the “goals, educational pedagogy, culture/religion, and values” which best suit their family. 

Independent schools may be secular or faith-based and must meet provincial standards, including teaching the core curriculum. Many Independent schools receive partial government funding, depending on their classification. They are governed by the Independent School Act.

There are currently two enrollment options through independent schools. Your child may, of course, enrol and attend a school physically or you may enrol them as a home-based student in an independent Online Learning School. This OL option allows for faith-based materials to be used as an essential part of the educational program for the student. 

Independent Online Learning Schools are subject to the Independent School Provincial Online Learning (OL) Program Standards. Briefly, this means that the Independent School Authority (hereinafter “ISA”) is responsible for delivering the educational program. The OL student’s learning is directed by a certified teacher who completes course planning, assesses the student, provides ongoing instruction to the student, and provides reports of progress. These programs must meet provincial learning outcomes. The ISA must administer compulsory standardized testing and must deliver a significant portion of the program electronically.

Learning From Home Options