a group of youth from the 2008 'Surpass' program, on a hike to the 'Langdale Lookout' (Sunshine Coast) Special Programs for Teens, 2008-09 SelfDesign and Wondertree Foundation have begun offering more programs for teenage youth. Below are listed the various programs we are planning to offer in 2008-09. • Homelearners network for teens, 13-17 years As in previous years, SelfDesign is registering teens in its Homelearners Network to meet the legal obligation requested by the Ministry of Education.  For more detailed information see 'Homelearners Network' under the 'SelfDesign Programs' link, this website or click here. • NEWS!   Change of school status to K - 12 program - very exciting! (November 2008) -- We wish to share exciting news with Learning Consultants and families enrolled in SelfDesign, Wondertree Learning Centre(s) and the Homelearners Network of the recent merger of the International School of the Kootenays with SelfDesign Learning Community, effective November 1.   International School of the Kootenays, or ISK, is a (BC) Ministry-certified online high school program offering the complete BC Graduation Program. That is, the full suite of core grade 10, 11 and 12 courses, and a range of elective courses needed for students to qualify for Dogwood (graduation) certification. ISK, based in Nelson, began its development in 2005 and opened its door to students and began offering online courses in September 2007. Its foundation rests on holistic and international peace studies, and a perspetive inspired by Waldorf education.  ISK pioneered workshop courses that offer learners the option of meeting together weekly with a mentor in a subject area of their choice. A team of 12 instructors at ISK is presently providing courses to around 70 BC-based learners, and the school is also supported by an active, enthusiastic board. What this merger means for SelfDesign and ISK With this merger SelfDesign is now a fully-certified K-12 Distributed Learning school in British Columbia! and able to offer (free) enrollment in both Graduation Program courses AND alternative 'SelfDesign-style' courses to learners ages 14-17 years (grades 9-12 equivalent), beginning in February 2009. This is wonderful news to us, as we had been meeting with frustration in our ongoing attempts to persuade the Ministry of Education to permit us to offer a SD-style for learners turning 15 years. We can also tell you that this merger meets with the full approval of the Inspector of Independent Schools with the Ministry of Education. We intend to continue supporting ISK - now (temrporarily) identified as 'SelfDesign-ISK' - and its high school course offerings, and we are just now beginning to conceptualize a SelfDesign-style program that would operate (in the eyes of the Ministry and the BC School Act) as an 'alternative', supportable program. If you wish to view some of the course offerings that will be available through SD-ISK, we would direct you to www.iskhighschool.org  though we will be updating this in coming weeks.      • Surpass program for teens, 13-17 years (mid-July, Sunshine Coast) This coming July SelfDesign and the Wondertree Foundation will be holding our 3rd Surpass leadership program for 30 teens, 13 - 17 years, at Camp Byng on the Sunshine Coast (nearby to Gibsons). Like the first year the program was an awesome success! For more information on Surpass, click here. See you in 2009! (this page updated December 10th)