Freedom and the ability to mix learning and play: Tallisen’s Wondertree story

2025-01-24T15:01:24-08:00October 3rd, 2024|Who We Are, Learner Stories|

Freedom is what Tallisen Soong Smith appreciates most about her four years with Wondertree and SelfDesign. That, and the ability to mix learning and play. “It was only in my later years, in my 20s, that I realized I’d been [...]

Check out October learning activities that are great for building confidence and making friends!

2024-10-29T11:21:13-07:00September 25th, 2024|HomeLearners Network|

This October our HomeLearners Network program has some awesome activities that will help your child develop diverse skills in writing, photography, yoga and more! Many of the activities are wonderful for working with peers and making new home learning buddies [...]

Game On! Grade 12 digital media offering developed in response to learner demand

2024-09-18T09:27:11-07:00September 18th, 2024|Education Innovation|

SelfDesign learners entering grade 12 who have enjoyed the Virtual Dreamers and Life Gamified themes offered to grade 10 and 11 learners now can continue their explorations of digital media. SelfDesign rolled out the new Game On! theme last year. [...]

40 years of exploring her interests and following her passions: A conversation with Ilana Cameron

2025-01-24T15:05:33-08:00September 12th, 2024|40th Anniversary, Who We Are, Learner Stories|

When six-year-old Ilana asked her dad to teach her at home instead of enrolling her in grade one at a local Vancouver brick-and-mortar school, Brent embarked on what would become a decades-long educational experiment in personalized learning to support his [...]

Dive into the learning year with exciting activities perfect for your home learner

2024-08-29T09:54:50-07:00August 29th, 2024|HomeLearners Network|

We have awesome home learning activities to help make the jump back into the learning year super engaging! Perfect for young artists, scientists, readers, dreamers and more, our activities are interactive, educational, and designed by passionate certified educators! Get excited [...]

Faces of SelfDesign: Paul Mackisoc and the Procurement team

2024-08-21T10:59:59-07:00August 21st, 2024|Who We Are|

Procurement supports learners, families and the SelfDesign organization SelfDesign® Learning Foundation’s Director of Procurement brings deep and broad experience in the field to the role. As an accredited and certified supply chain management and procurement specialist, Paul Mackisoc has managed [...]

Diane Walters: Mentor, curriculum designer and inspiration for many learners

2024-08-07T11:03:19-07:00August 7th, 2024|Who We Are|

When SelfDesign® Learning Community merged with the International School of the Kootenays in 2009 and began offering grades 10 to 12 to young people across B.C., educator Diane Walters came to SelfDesign as part of the package. The well-known Nelson-based [...]

SelfDesign receives two commendations during BC Ministry of Education Monitoring Inspection

2025-03-03T16:07:24-08:00July 24th, 2024|Our Approach|

Inspectors from the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care gave SelfDesign® Learning Community two commendations on the school’s annual external evaluation from the Ministry, this year a Monitoring Inspection. “The external evaluation process is an opportunity to reflect on [...]

How to keep the joy of learning alive this summer

2024-07-11T11:09:34-07:00July 11th, 2024|HomeLearners Network, Our Approach|

The summer holiday is the perfect time for fun, relaxation and a break from routine. It’s also prime time for exploration and discovery, and new learning opportunities! Rather than letting education take a backseat, summer provides a unique opportunity to [...]

Kalev Tait, Virtual High 1993–1997, remembers a tight-knit, supportive community

2025-01-24T15:10:57-08:00June 27th, 2024|Who We Are, Learner Stories|

Drawing on almost 20 years of experience producing video games in the U.K., Kalev Tait recently co-founded video-game company Ludic Lemur in 2023 in Vancouver. The Virtual High alumnus had returned, with his young family, to the city where he [...]

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