Welcome to SCIDES

Welcome to SCIDES

Welcome! We are thrilled that you found your way to our website. Let us introduce our school to you:

At South Central Interior Distance Education School – SCIDES – we offer Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) courses, as well as courses for adult learners. We’re a fully funded, public, and accredited BC school located in School District 58. Our programs and courses are free for BC residents; tuition fees only apply for international students and may apply for some courses for adults who have already graduated.

SCIDES is an online learning (OL) school, meaning most of our students are primarily at a distance from our teachers, whether they are studying online at home, within another educational facility, or anywhere else with an internet connection. Online learning students completing their studies with SCIDES will receive their British Columbia Dogwood graduation diplomas (we celebrate over 50 graduates, of all ages, each year!).

Among all the educational opportunities schools in BC have to offer, online learning is one we feel very excited and passionate about. We believe it is an excellent way to get a quality education that’s personalized and fits into your life. At SCIDES, we offer elementary and secondary students the opportunity to personalize their learning and have full control of their own educational paths. Adult learners have the chance to upgrade, graduate or take additional courses without ever stepping inside a BC face-to-face high school.

A comprehensive list of over 130 online courses allows you to choose and design a program that is both flexible in delivery and supportive of your unique learning style. We provide the materials, resources, planning, reports and personal support required – you choose the program that best fits your life, whether it is full-time or cross enrolment with a face-to-face school. Our staff at SCIDES is always available for our students, and also works hard to build relationships with educators at cross-enrolled schools to ensure the best experience for you.

Our students come from a wide range of experiences, and our mission is to create a personalized learning environment for anyone, anywhere, in any situation! We support elite athletes, gifted learners, adult learners looking to upgrade, families abroad for both work and travel, and students with learning disabilities, injuries or with an illness that prevents them from attending regular classes – and most importantly: students and their families, who want to take charge of their own educational path.

SCIDES is located in the beautiful Nicola-Similkameen Valley, but we serve more than 1,700 learners throughout BC in our K-9, high school, and adult learning programs. We’d love for you to join the learning experience at SCIDES. Register online, or contact us for more information.

We look forward to connecting with you!

 

Message from the Principal

March 2022

Dear Families:    

Hen̓łeʔ (pronounce: hen-lha) [nłeʔkepmx cín] = Hello

 Way’ [nsyilxcən] = Hello

Tansii [Michif] = Hello

Spring is here!  The warm rays of the sun, just beginning to thaw our frigid winter and melt the now-dirty snow hills, have definitely been welcome phenomena for all of us here at SCIDES.  We are further "warmed" by the strides our province has made in its battle to reduce the harms of Covid and look forward to returning to a community that we remember pre-pandemic.  Things are looking up and I sincerely hope that the same is true in your own personal worlds.  We are survivors and we have each other for support.
 
Today, we had news that the MInistry of Education is taking one more year before it implements its changes to the Online Learning Schools.  This means it will be business as usual for us in the 2022-23 school year.  We are excited to continue educating all of those people who come to us and trust the excellence we provide, and we also look forward to adjusting to the next phase with a little more time to get it right. Keep watching for your invitation to (re)register for the upcoming school year starting in May.
 
As we continue to inch toward June, K - 9 students are reminded to work hard and finish their programs.  The next grade awaits and you want to be as prepared as possible for it.  Gr. 10 - 12 and adult learners will be supported through the summer so you can continue to set and meet your educational goals in a way that suits your lifestyle.  Just remember, good communication with us goes a long way in achieving a successful end. 
 
This year's Graduation Ceremony is on Thursday, June 23 at our campus in Merritt, B.C.  Students who have either finished or are at least 80% completed the requirements for graduation will be invited to join us to receive their recognition, scholarships, and scroll.  We are so fortunate to be able to host a lovely, intimate graduation, complete with all the details, and certainly encourage all of our graduands to attend if they can.
 

Please keep in touch.  If something changes in your world that impacts school – even a phone number or address – let us know.  Communication is key to everyone’s success.

Stay well, practice all that is safe, and, maybe take your birthday off from school – just because you can!

Sincerely, 

Mrs. K. Goetz, Principal

Karen

Tired of OLD School learning?

This Time, YOU Choose What You Want, When You Want, And Where You Want To Learn It.