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Friday Evening
Dr Brian Ray on Let’s Flip the Question: Why Would You Ever Stop Homeschooling, Not Why Would You Homeschool?
Saturday Morning
Know Yourself and Know That Homeschooling Works: Charting a Course Part 1 - Dr Brian Ray
Saturday Afternoon
There is No One Best System But There Is Your Future: Charting a Course Part 2 - Dr Brian Ray
Panel/Round-Table Discussion with Home Schooled Grads, Parents, Experts & Dr. Ray
This workshop is intended to assist students who are preparing for the written portion of the English 30 Diploma exam. Students will learn to decode essay prompts and utilize effective essay formatting. Applicants need to have advanced writing experience.
We cover the two essay types of the written portion of the exam: the Critical/Analytical Response to Literature and the Personal Response. This 6-week program covers each of the 7 scoring categories of the exam to help students achieve the highest possible mark. Students meet for up to 90 minutes, twice a week, with guided writing practice and feedback. Marks for essays and mock-exam in this workshop may be used toward the ELA course challenge mark.
Workshop acceptance based upon application.
What happens after I apply for: Essay Skills: Write Your Best English 30 Diploma Exam?
Based entirely upon the application essay that you submit, your level of “readiness” will be determined:
- If your essay contains the depth and level of thought necessary for the style of literary analysis, but is missing the length or structure required (or vice versa), you are ready for the Essay Skills workshop. You will be notified of this, and will then receive a welcome email approximately one week before the workshop’s start date containing everything you need for the first class (including a reading assignment). If you have not received the welcome email one week prior to the start date, please email Kathy.
- If your essay is missing both the depth or level of thought AND the length or structure required for the diploma style essay, you are not yet ready to join the workshop. You will be notified of your options that will prepare you for the workshop you applied for, or one at a future date. It may mean you first need some help learning what the diploma requirements are and/or possibly some more practice with that style of writing. If it has been more than 10 days and you have not been contacted, please email Kathy.
This 6-week workshop moves along very quickly, containing lessons to cover all 7 categories of the government rubrics for two assignments. Students must demonstrate readiness in order to succeed, both in the workshop, and on the diploma exam.
Note: The workshop is for WISDOM students challenging English 30, so these students are given priority for acceptance to the workshop. Students enrolled outside of The Gilbertine Institute may be accepted at the non-subsidized rate of $450.
Book tutoring
- Initial Consultation hour for WISDOM students: $25
WISDOM subsidizes $50 of the Initial Consultation and families pay $25.- Tutoring hours: $65 per hour after Initial Consultation. Option for group tutorials to reduce cost.
- Pay via home school funding or pay CRAMapple Ventures directly.
We hear of critical needs and want to be able to help these families, and with your help, we can. Whether the family has experienced a job loss or illness and needs help to make it to the next month, your donations in any amount will go directly to these families to help them get through.
Any charitable donations will be used to assist WISDOM families in crisis with short-term support, so that they're able to continue to home educate. We appreciate your support in helping to build the home school community.
Donate here, selecting Family Assistance Fund from the dropdown. We also gladly accept donations by cheque. Please write Family Assistance in the memo line, and send to Family Assistance, Box 78, Derwent, AB T0B 1C0.
Basic Reading Assessment - Cost $75.00
The Basic Reading Assessment assesses your child's reading level, comprehension level, reading fluency, and rate.
The Basic Reading assessment, depending on location, is administered online or in person and takes approximately ½ hr - 45 min to complete. A comprehensive report and academic recommendations will be provided and discussed with parents during the follow-up½- hour consultation.
Advanced Reading Assessment - Cost $225.00
The Advanced Reading Assessment includes the Basic Reading Assessment, the PASS Assessment, and the Informal Test. If your child receives less than 80% on the PASS Assessment, formal testing for dyslexia by a registered psychologist will be recommended. The informal Test includes many separate questions to assess writing ability, sequencing, memory, and strategic planning ability. The Advanced Reading Assessment, depending on location, is administered online or in person and takes 2- 2 ½ hours to complete. A comprehensive report and academic recommendations will be provided and discussed with parents during the follow-up one-hour consultation.
Contact Lora for more information. lora@wisdomhomeschooling.com
Now available through Alberta Health (AHS) Pediatric Rehabilitation Services for children from birth to 18 years of age.
- Audiologists
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
and other services.
See here for more information and eligibility: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page16633.aspx
Conference Details Join The Wait List Presentations Exhibitors Resources Schedule
Jump to: Clearwater College Concordia University Edmonton GFA World HSLDA Kings Kurios Mount Carmel Bible College NET Canada Newman Theological College Northern Lakes College Northwestern Polytechnic Olds College Prairie College PRBI Portage College St. Mary's University Trinity Western University University of Calgary Vanguard College
Clearwater College
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Concordia University Edmonton
GFA World
Home School Legal Defence Association
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Get the protection, assurance, and peace of mind in your homeschooling journey with an HSLDA Canada membership. See their website for more about the benefits of membership.
The King's University
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Kurios - A Christian Gap Year Experience
Mount Carmel Bible College
NET Canada
Newman Theological College
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Northern Lakes College
Northwestern Polytechnic
Olds College
Portage College
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Prairie College
Peace River Bible Institute
St. Mary's University
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Trinity Western University
University of Calgary
Vanguard College
Conference Details Join The Wait List Presentations Exhibitors Resources Schedule
Dr. Brian Ray is a leading international expert in research on homeschooling and president of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI). He has published numerous articles and books, is regularly interviewed by major media, serves as an expert witness in court cases, and testifies to legislatures regarding education. Dr. Ray is a former university professor and public and private school classroom teacher. He holds a Ph.D. (science education, Oregon State University), a M.S. (zoology, Ohio University), and a B.S. (biology, University of Puget Sound), and is a church leader. Brian and Betsy have been married 46 years, have eight children who were all home educated, run a small farm, and have 21 grandchildren. Dr. Ray really enjoys wandering with Betsy, his wife, and being out in the forests and mountains and on adventures. See research at www.nheri.org.
Talk Descriptions
Let’s Flip the Question: Why Would You Ever Stop Homeschooling, Not Why Would You Homeschool?
Friday evening, April 4, 2025
Dr. Ray takes you straight to philosophy, but you won’t groan over it. Asking the right questions about what is real, how we come to know truth, and what is of value regarding education soon leads you to the right place as an adult or for your children. Dr. Ray will mix history, philosophy, your possibly self-unrecognized biases, research facts, and pragmatic applications about education and each child’s, family’s, and society’s future to challenge you and encourage you, whether young or old, new to homeschooling or a veteran.
Know Yourself and Know That Homeschooling Works: Charting a Course Part 1
Dr. Ray will build your confidence about your future by first building your certainty about parent-directed home-based education, as opposed to institutionalized schooling. He will give you some educational history and then pack your head full of research facts and statistics on the learner outcomes of homeschooling. The goal is for the information to go beyond your head to touch your heart, give you conviction about the future, and point you in a positive direction. There will be plenty of time for discussion and Q and A.
There is No One Best System But There Is Your Future: Charting a Course Part 2
Dr. Ray has many formal education degrees but he knows that those are not necessary for the pinnacle of the good life. What pressures are on you as teenagers for your future? What are Dad and Mom saying? Your friends? Your culture? Dr. Ray will help you step back, assess some options and realize that the sky and wide-ranging field are the limit. One of the beauties of home education is diversity, options, alternatives, efficiency, relaxation, and being out of the norm. Why go to college, why not? How is debt good, or bad? How might you capitalize on the advantages of home education? Dr. Ray has some ideas for you based on 40 years of doing research, raising 8 children, and meeting homeschoolers all over the world. Bring your head, your heart, a notepad, your parents, and some laughter. There will be plenty of time for discussion and Q and A.
Panel/Round-Table Discussion with Dr. Ray
Conference Details Join The Wait List Presentations Exhibitors Resources Schedule
This schedule subject to change.
Click the timestamps for longer descriptions!
Friday
1:00 Registration
1:30 Welcome and Announcements, First session begins - Socratic Discussion event, High School Goal Planning session, or Courses Charted: Parent Panel with WISDOM Facilitators.
3:30 Coffee & Muffins Conversation
4:00 Depart for supper (on your own)
7:00 Doors open/Registration (coffee, tea, water, juice)
7:30 Evening Sessions
- Adults | Dr Brian Ray on Let’s Flip the Question: Why Would You Ever Stop Homeschooling, Not Why Would You Homeschool?
- Youth | Mr. Nicholas Pierlot on Navigating Your Temperament
9:30 Closing
Saturday
8:00-9:00 Check in for pre-registered and new registrations
8:30 Coffee, tea and icebreakers
9:00 Door Prize
9:05 Welcome and Announcements
9:15 Know Yourself and Know That Homeschooling Works: Charting a Course Part 1 - Dr Brian Ray
10:25 HSLDA ONE Minute Careers and Colleges Guide for Homeschoolers
10:30 Needs Break
10:40 Post-Secondary & Employment Opportunities - ONE Minute “How can homeschoolers enter your institution?”
11:25 Charting Your Course
11:40 Lunch
Noon Exhibit Hall opens
1:55 Door Prize
2:00 There is No One Best System But There Is Your Future: Charting a Course Part 2 - Dr Brian Ray
3:00 Coffee Break
3:15 Panel/Round-Table Discussion with Home Schooled Grads, Parents, Experts & Dr. Ray
4:15 Chart Your Course
4:30 Closing remarks
Friday
1:00 Check in (for pre registered and new registrations) at Spruce Grove Alliance Church.
1:30 Welcome and Announcements, First session begins - Socratic Discussion event or High School Goal Planning session
The Socratic Discussion event is an opportunity to spend time thinking about and discussing meaningful ideas with other conference participants. Participants will read a short story of enjoyable fiction and enter into a purposeful conversation to gain a deeper understanding of its content, guided by one of WISDOM's Socratic Dialogue Online Program tutors or WISDOM staff. The WISDOM Socratic Dialogue Online Program has offered courses in the classical tradition to home educated students for over 20 years. Covering a subject span of excellent literature, history, philosophy, theology, politics, logic, language, and writing, the Online Program aims to introduce and immerse students in the ideas of the great thinkers of the Western tradition and to help them understand these ideas as aimed at knowing the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. The short reading will be sent to participants ahead of time.
Ready to turn your dreams into reality? The High School Goal Planning workshop will help you do just that! Setting goals is like giving your future a map or GPS—without them, you’re just cruising without a direction! But when you embrace a growth mindset, you start seeing every challenge as a chance to grow. Failing? It’s not a setback, it’s part of the journey to success! And here’s the secret: a vision board is like your personal roadmap to the future you want. It keeps you on track, motivated, and ready for whatever’s next. Whether you're aiming for a better grade, mastering a new skill, or totally leveling up in life, your goals, mindset, and vision board are the tools that’ll help you crush it. Let’s make your dreams happen together—join the Mediated Learning High School Goal Planning workshop and start mapping out your future today!
Our plenary Courses Charted session on Friday afternoon is a Parent Panel with WISDOM Facilitators who have graduated their children through high school at home. Facilitators will share their unique experiences of homeschooling and the journeys their children have taken through high school and beyond. This session will include time for Q&A.
The Socratic Discussion event, High School Goal Setting workshop, and Courses Charted: Parent Panel with WISDOM Facilitators are great opportunities for the High School Conference attendees to meet each other, for students to connect and enjoy discussion and activities in person, and for those who are new to the idea of socratic discussion, Mediated Learning, and homeschooling through high school to get a taste of what the experience can offer. Please choose which session you will attend when you register for this event. Parents and students alike are welcome to participate. Capacity is limited for our Friday sessions—first registered, first admitted.
2:30 Break (coffee/muffins)
3:30 Coffee & Muffins Conversation. Enjoy a hot beverage and muffins while visiting with conference attendees.
4:00 Depart for supper (on your own)
7:00 Doors open for evening session by High School & Beyond Conference keynote speaker, Dr. Brian Ray. Registration available for those who were unable to attend the earlier session. Enjoy a beverage (coffee, tea, water, juice) before the session starts.
7:00 Doors open for evening session by High School & Beyond Conference keynote speaker, Dr. Brian Ray and youth session by presenter Mr. Nicholas Pierlot. Registration available for those who were unable to attend the earlier session. Enjoy a beverage (coffee, tea, water, juice) before the session starts.
7:30 Evening Sessions
9:30 Closing
Saturday
8:00-9:00 Check in for pre-registered and new registrations
8:30 Coffee, tea and icebreakers.
9:00 Door Prize. You need to be in your seat to win!
9:05 Welcome and Announcements
9:15 Know Yourself and Know That Homeschooling Works: Charting a Course Part 1 - Dr Brian Ray
Dr. Ray will build your confidence about your future by first building your certainty about parent-directed home-based education, as opposed to institutionalized schooling. He will give you some educational history and then pack your head full of research facts and statistics on the learner outcomes of homeschooling. The goal is for the information to go beyond your head to touch your heart, give you conviction about the future, and point you in a positive direction. There will be plenty of time for discussion and Q and A.
10:30 Needs Break
10:40 Post-Secondary & Employment Opportunities - ONE Minute “How can homeschoolers enter your institution?”
Colleges, universities, and employment opportunities will have just one minute to give you their elevator pitch! This exciting session keeps representatives on their toes as they deliver only the most important information on the stage. After lunch, you have the opportunity to talk to them at their booths for more information.
Guided reflection time on charting your course through high school and beyond.
11:40 Lunch
Visit each booth and collect information on post secondary options, career opportunities, and more. Talk to high school subject specialists, WISDOM facilitators, the Mediated Learning and Socratic Dialogue Online Program teams, and get inspired for the journey through high school and beyond!
1:55 Door Prize
2:00 There is No One Best System But There Is Your Future: Charting a Course Part 2 - Dr Brian Ray
Dr. Ray has many formal education degrees but he knows that those are not necessary for the pinnacle of the good life. What pressures are on you as teenagers for your future? What are Dad and Mom saying? Your friends? Your culture? Dr. Ray will help you step back, assess some options and realize that the sky and wide-ranging field are the limit. One of the beauties of home education is diversity, options, alternatives, efficiency, relaxation, and being out of the norm. Why go to college, why not? How is debt good, or bad? How might you capitalize on the advantages of home education? Dr. Ray has some ideas for you based on 40 years of doing research, raising 8 children, and meeting homeschoolers all over the world. Bring your head, your heart, a notepad, your parents, and some laughter. There will be plenty of time for discussion and Q and A.
3:00 Coffee Break
3:15 Panel/Round-Table Discussion with Home Schooled Grads, Parents, Experts & Dr. Ray
Applying what you’ve learned from the conference to your journey through high school and beyond.
4:30 Closing remarks