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Independent schools make up an important part of Alberta’s rich educational fabric!
If you find yourself in conversation with friends, family, or acquaintances about educational choice, consider using some of these talking points from the Association of Independent Schools & Colleges of Alberta (AISCA):
1. True Diversity at Risk
The funding supports schools for children with special needs, cultural minorities, faith-based, and specialized learning. This choice is vital.
2. Accessibility for All
Over 80% of AISCA families have an income at or below the provincial average. Government funding is what keeps these essential choices accessible to a wide range of families.
3. The Influx Crisis
Defunding would impact 56,000 students, pushing the majority of these children into the public system, massively worsening existing class size, space, and complexity problems.
4. ECS and Home Ed are Affected
The petition is written so broadly it would also eliminate funding for crucial, accredited Early Childhood Services (ECS) and support for home education students.
5. The Real Fiscal Question
Students in independent schools receive around $6500. These same children will cost taxpayers $13,000/year, as well as increasing capital costs.
This information is pertinent to WISDOM families because of WISDOM’s relationship to The Gilbertine Institute: a registered charity and non-profit organization which operates an associate private school, The Gilbertine Academy. The Gilbertine Academy supervises and supports home education programs through the WISDOM Home Schooling department.
Who we are (and how we’re connected)
WISDOM Home Schooling is the home education department of The Gilbertine Institute, which is an Accredited Independent School Authority in Alberta. (independent schools used to be called “private schools”, but legislation has been updated.) Our Independent School Authority enables us to support parent-directed home education across Alberta as WISDOM. The Gilbertine Institute also operates three small schools with a shared-responsibility, classical education focus.
Why you’re hearing about “independent vs public”
WISDOM agrees with a well funded public school system as well as choice of separate, francophone, charter, and independent schools.
An individual has circulated a petition for a referendum to de-fund independent schools, and we want you to have all of the information.
Independent schools exist to serve a specific vision and mission. WISDOM can serve traditional Home Education effectively because the vision of our independent school authority is to embolden, bolster, and support parents as primary educators to nurture their children to embrace Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
How WISDOM funding actually works (the facts)
Something that was not clear in our last email was the funding for WISDOM students ($1802) versus funding for independent school students (about $6500). Here’s the breakdown:
- The Gilbertine Institute receives $1,802 for each funded Home Education student.
- Parents may access up to 50% of that grant ($901) for approved learning resources
- Alberta Education transfers the grant to the school authority 10% monthly (Sept–June). WISDOM makes half of parent funding available in Fall and half in Spring.
- The remaining $901 covers facilitator and staff salaries, operations, high school support, workshops, special needs consultation, tutoring, and service to unfunded families. Some families generously allocate to us their unused funds that strengthen WISDOM supports.
To find out all of the funding information for each student in Alberta, you can view AB Education’s Funding Manual here.
Why this matters to WISDOM families
Independent schools receive less per-student public funding than public systems. Even with that disparity, independent schools (including authorities like ours that serve a large number of home educators) serve tens of thousands of Alberta students and help keep class sizes and costs down throughout the province. Continued recognition and support for independent education protects your freedom to direct your child’s education with the services you value from WISDOM.
A quick way to understand the broader picture
AISCA (the Association of Independent Schools & Colleges of Alberta) offers simple talking points and a short explainer video on how independent schools are funded and why they matter to families and taxpayers. (Keep in mind that they do not specify home schoolers and our funding numbers which are a fraction of their base grant.) Watch here.
Key takeaways from AISCA in brief:
- Independent schools support true diversity (special needs, cultural and faith communities, specialised learning).
- Over 80% of families in AISCA schools are at or below the provincial median household income, and funding keeps choice accessible to them.
- If independent schools were defunded, a high percentage of their present 56,000+ students would flood the public system, increasing class sizes and costs.
- The fiscal reality: independent students receive far less per-pupil public funding than those in public systems, saving taxpayers money.
- All independent schools in Alberta are operated by non-profit organizations.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of John Hoekstra. John has been an integral part of the WISDOM community for 16 years as an employee, and years before that as a WISDOM father. He was instrumental in developing and sharing the Mediated Learning program with hundreds of students and their families, and most recently co-developed the Jumpstart Journal for use in the Mediated Learning High School Workshop. John also shared his love of sports and the great outdoors in his role as our Athletic Director, leading many events for WISDOM including ski days, rock climbing, archery, outdoor survival, track and field and more. John's passing leaves an enormous hole in our organization and we will miss him deeply. John leaves behind his wife, Liesbeth, eight children, a son-in-law and grandson. Please join us in praying for John’s family.
Questions, comments, or tributes may be sent to office@wisdomhomeschooling.com.
Please consider supporting their family with living expenses at this time.
Donate via GiveSendGo
WISDOM exists to support traditional (parent-directed) home schooling. Your family decides what is taught, how it is taught and when it is taught.
To enroll:
- Please sign up (notify us of your intent to home educate) using our Parent Portal.
- Submit a copy of your child's birth certificate (or Canadian passport). Enrollment is not possible without valid ID. Upload via secure uploader.
- Create an Education Program Plan for each child. This is your most important document, as it defines your home education program and assures your authority. In order to give us time to review, suggest additions, and approve your plan, please provide it before the end of August.
- Refunds (for funded students) come via direct deposit for any reimbursement refund. Please fill out an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Application and submit it with a VOID Cheque or a bank account verification letter.
To submit documents, email office@wisdomhomeschooling.com or use the Uploader found here.
Once we have received your notification we will contact you to verify that all has been received.
A note on deadlines: The AB Ed deadline for the school to complete enrolments for funded students is the last business day of September. We do accept a number of post-funded families each year, so don't be concerned about applying. We're happy to help. Use the chat in the bottom-right corner of our website, during business hours, if you have any questions during the process.
Join us for 10 sessions of Biology labs! Whether you're working toward Biology credits or simply want to ensure a solid understanding of labs, this is an excellent opportunity for your student.
It's official - you now have the option to submit your resource expense claims online!
Just complete the expense form and upload that along with your digital receipts. Easy as that!
Popular gift-exchange generator Elfster recently interviewed Terry, one of our home school consultants and author of our Terry's TLC newsletter about helping to build meaningful connections while dealing with pandemic restrictions.
School-aged children have certainly been hit with challenges this past year, especially when it comes to connecting with the people they love the most. Not only have they been temporarily cut off from beloved grandparents and special family members, but when the global COVID-19 pandemic hit and schools closed their doors to in-person learning, their usual hub of activity shifted, leaving kids craving connections with classmates and friends.
Terry selflessly saw the need to foster relationships and help this homeschool community make meaningful connections. She was excited to think of something that would help during these difficult times — even a little.
Learn about WISDOM Home Schooling from someone who has been there from year one - first as a student, then an employee, a graduate and a home school mom.
View this job listing as a PDF here.
Job Purpose
Gather and capture student information into our SIS, prepare and file student records, be passionate about our mission to help families flourish.
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