FAQ - Students
How do I obtain my Personal Education Number (PEN)?
If you attended a BC K-12 school since 1993, or wrote a provincial exam after 1986, you may obtain your PEN from your current, most recent or graduating school. This will be the quickest option; however, there are other alternatives available to help you on the Ministry of Education website.
Where do I go if I need academic advice?
Every distributed learning school has academic counselling support. You can use this list of counsellors to find one at the school that interests you, or call the toll free number on this website. Click here to see the LearnNow BC Academic Advice page.
How do I sign up for a DL course or program?
There are two ways to enroll in a course or program. You can enroll through the DL school directly or sign-up through this website. If you choose to sign-up through this website, an email will be sent to the school you choose and one of their counsellors will contact you.
Are DL courses the same as courses taught in regular BC schools?
Yes. DL courses are delivered differently but they follow the same provincial curriculum; schools must comply with the BC School Act.
Are all courses done online? What if I’d rather take correspondence courses?
There are a variety of choices in DL. Some courses are offered primarily online, some combine online and print material and others use print materials only. The Course Finder will provide the information you need to help decide what works best for you.
Do I have to write provincial exams? Can I get my Dogwood Diploma?
Yes. DL students have to meet the same requirements as other BC students and they receive the Dogwood Diploma when they graduate.
How do I get my marks?
Teachers are responsible for providing marks and feedback. Each school will produce its own report card. Final student grades and course credits are submitted automatically from each enrolling school to the Ministry of Education. At the ministry, this information is combined with the provincial examination results to produce a provincial transcript which is then made available to students.
I need to repeat a course; can I do this with DL?
Yes.
I want to complete my high school education – can I use DL to do this?
Yes. DL schools provide courses leading to high school graduation. Students must meet the same requirements for exams and graduation as any student in BC.
If I'm already enrolled in a school, can I also take DL courses?
Yes. If you’re in Grade 10, 11, or 12 you can now take courses from your local school and DL courses at the same time. Build your schedule exactly the way you want it. For example, if you want to take Physics 12, but it’s not offered at your local high school, you can connect to a Physics 12 course offered in another part of the province through the Course Finder. You don’t need permission to do this and you don’t have to pay tuition fees.
If I'm unable to attend school due to illness, can I take DL courses?
Yes.
Can adults take DL courses if they haven’t completed their K-12 education?
Yes.
What are the prerequisites for taking DL courses?
Requirements vary from school to school. Ask the distributed learning school that interests you about its requirements.
Can I sign-up for a course if I don’t live in British Columbia?
Distributed learning courses are available only to BC residents. BC students who are travelling or temporarily living outside the province can take DL courses, but proof of residency will be required.
What if a course I want isn’t listed?
If you’re interested in a course that isn’t listed in the Course Finder, contact the distributed learning schools in the Course Finder to see if they can help you.
What is the difference between distributed learning and homeschooling?
For a comprehensive description of the difference between distributed learning and homeschooling, click here.
Do homeschooled children get a Personal Education Number (PEN)?
Yes, homeschooled children get a PEN when they "register" as a homeschooler.
Can homeschoolers access the services on LearnNow BC, including the free tutoring?
Yes. Any child in BC with a Personal Education Number (PEN) may access LearnNow BC's services, including the free tutoring once they create a username and password.
Who do I contact if I have questions about homeschooling or distributed learning?
If you have questions about homeschooling, please contact:
Lynettte Jones or Lisa Talsma, Homeschooling and Independent School Distributed Learning
Email address: EDUC.independentSchoolsOffice@gov.bc.ca
Phone: 250-387-0963 or 250-356-0785
If you have questions about distributed learning, please contact:
Tim Winkelmans, Manager, Distributed Learning
Email address: tim.winkelmans@gov.bc.ca
Phone: 250-356-7039
Where can I get more information about homeschooling?
Click here to learn more about homeschooling.
Where can I find more information on the policies for homeschoolers?
This link will provide you with more information about the policies regarding homeschooling.
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