WCS High School general information

Graduates from Westmount Charter School are eligible for the
Alberta Education High School Diploma
and the
Westmount Charter School Gifted Education Diploma

Students are expected to register for a full schedule each term. Our gifted education graduation diploma requirements of 120 credits would necessitate 40 credits in each of grade 10 – 12. Credits earned in grade 9 or through the Summerstock Conservatory can be applied to the 120 credit requirement and may allow some flexibility in scheduling in grades 11 and 12.

Graduation Requirements
Diploma requirements are set by the Minister of Education and are outlined below:
Minimum Credits	Compulsory Courses
15	English 10-1/10-2	English 20-1/20-2	English 30-1/30-2
15	Social Studies 10	Social Studies 20	Social Studies 30
10	Math 10 Pure or Math 10 Applied	Math 20 Pure or Math 20 Applied
10	Science 10	at least one of: Science 20 Biology 20 Chemistry 20 Physics 20
3	Phys Ed 10
3		CALM 20
= 56	number of required credits from compulsory courses above
+44	number of required credits from a combinations of compulsory and option courses (10 credits must be at the 30 level), and 10 credits must be from Fine Arts, CTS courses, Second Languages or Physical Education.
= 100	Total number of credits needed to receive Alberta High School Diploma
+20	additional option course work
= 120	Total number of credits needed to receive Westmount Charter School Gifted Education Diplomas

Graduation Requirements

Diploma requirements are set by the Minister of Education and are outlined below:

Minimum Credits

Compulsory Courses

English 10-1/10-2

English 20-1/20-2

English 30-1/30-2

Social Studies 10

Social Studies 20

Social Studies 30

Math 10 Pure
or Math 10 Applied

Math 20 Pure
or Math 20 Applied

Science 10

at least one of:
Science 20
Biology 20
Chemistry 20
Physics 20

Phys Ed 10

CALM 20

= 56

number of required credits from compulsory courses above

+44

number of required credits from a combinations of compulsory and option courses (10 credits must be at the 30 level), and 10 credits must be from Fine Arts, CTS courses, Second Languages or Physical Education.

= 100

Total number of credits needed to receive Alberta High School Diploma

+20

additional option course work

= 120

Total number of credits needed to receive Westmount Charter School Gifted Education Diplomas

Gifted Education Diploma in Academics
To qualify for this diploma, students must have successfully completed a minimum of 120 high school credits throughout their 4 high school years (grades 9 – 12).

Gifted Education Diploma in Academic Excellence
To qualify for this diploma, students must have an academic average** of 80% or higher in five level 30 courses and have completed a minimum of 120 high school credits.

Gifted Education Diploma in Academic Excellence with Honours
To qualify for this diploma, students must have maintained an 80% average** overall in each of their four years in high school (gr. 9 – 12).

Gifted Education Diploma in Leadership
To qualify for this diploma, students must demonstrate volunteer leadership within our school community totaling a minimum of 60 hours. Examples may be our school library, Student Services, Peer Support Team, tutoring lessons, Student Council, school newspaper, Sports Day, or our Recycling Program.

Gifted Education Diploma in Community Volunteerism
To qualify for this diploma, students must demonstrate volunteer service to groups or individuals outside our school community totaling a minimum of 60 hours. Examples may be The Mustard Seed, Carewest Senior homes, City of Calgary, Youth Volunteer Corporation, Talisman Centre, Girls & Boys Clubs, community centres, or any charitable organization.

Gifted Education Diploma with Distinction
Students who qualify for all of above mentioned diplomas will be awarded this highly regarded diploma.

**Averages will be based on the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship’s criteria.
contact them at www.alis.gov.ab.ca/scholarships or (780) 427-8640

Westmount Charter School recognizes the value of enhancing our regular course selections with various course offerings, using a distance learning format. After consultation with the school counselor and/or an administrator, students may be directed toward taking a course through the Alberta Distance Learning Centre. A distance learning course would only be considered if it is not being offered by Westmount, or when there is a conflict in the student’s timetable with a required course. In special circumstances school administration may also deem it necessary for a student to pursue distance education. Parents are required to pay the cost of distance learning courses at the onset however they will be reimbursed by Westmount upon the student’s successful completion (60% or more) of the course.

Students will be given the first two weeks of each semester to make changes to their timetables. During this two-week period, students may drop and/or add courses in consultation with an administrator or guidance counselor. Following the final drop/add day, a student’s timetable is considered complete and a final grade will be submitted to Alberta Education on behalf of the student for each of their courses. This mark will appear on the student’s academic transcript. At the mid-term point, in extenuating circumstances, a student may be excused from continuing to attend a course, although a mark may still appear on the student’s transcript.

C.A.L.M. (3 credits)
Pre-requisite: None
This is a compulsory course designed to prepare students for post-secondary life through career and life skills training. Topics include self-management, well-being, relationships, career education, independent living and human sexuality. Students must have this course before an Alberta High School Diploma will be granted.
Westmount students are required to take this course in their grade 10 year.

This extra-curricular performing arts program awards high school students credits for courses available through the Summerstock Conservatory. For more details and to view course descriptions, click here.