Your Questions Answered

REGISTRATION IS NOW *CLOSED FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR. REACH OUT TO YOUR CHOSEN FACILITATOR TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON HOW TO REGISTER.

Parents and students create a learning plan based on the interests and goals of the individual child. They will seek out resources, materials, guidance, courses, programs, clubs etc. and implement the learning. 

Yes. Every home learning family has their own unique philosophy and style of engaging in the world around them. There is no one prescribed way or method to approaching home education. We find that the best practice is to keep an open mind, adopt what works for you and your kids but most importantly, be flexible in your approach. Each child in your family will have different needs at different times along this journey.

Yes. At By Design we are required to be certificated teachers. Our facilitators also have or currently are home learning parents.

Yes! We believe that all children have individual needs (LGBTQ2, ADHD, Autism, intellectual, physical, visual, auditory, speech, emotional disabilities). We encourage our families to educate us on the specific needs and preferred language around these needs so that we may best support and guide you on your path.

The curriculum choices are up to the parent. We offer a list of suggested resources as well as a variety of subscriptions to enhance your program. ADLC course material is also available upon request.

Yes. Parents are required to complete a program plan. You will be asked to complete our digital program plan form upon registration. Once submitted, you will be sent a link that will allow you to edit/update your plans at any time.  Click HERE to see a SOLO plan sample and HERE to see a CREDIT plan sample. The program plan is a government required document and must align with the receipts you submit for funding.

Yes. Each child registered in a supervised home education program in Alberta is eligible to receive reimbursement up to *$901.00 per year (less for kindergarten $450.50) for approved items that are directly related to the individual program plans. *Subject to change. Please review the Standards for Home Education Reimbursement.

You will be invited to create an account in our digital submission portal. See our funding page HERE for more details and to access the portal link. Approved funds are sent via electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly to your bank account. We offer several submission dates per year. 

You are free to follow the Alberta Program of Studies (APS) if you so choose. However, you may prefer to follow the Schedule of Learning Outcomes (SOLO) that are set out by the Home Education Regulation. If your student is in high school and wishes to receive an Alberta high school diploma they are required to follow the APS for their chosen courses in order to receive credits for that course. Please review the Alberta Education Home Education Handbook for more guidance.

Yes! There are a variety of ways to acquire a diploma and your facilitator can guide you through the various paths.

We have ADLC (Alberta Distance Learning) course materials available upon request; a Facebook community, access to Alberta Exambank, LesPlan subscriptions, Enriched Academy, IXL (paid), and History Plus (paid).

*Subscriptions are subject to change from year to year and may require a fee.  Ask your facilitator for a link to our ever-changing subscriptions/ events document.

There are two mandatory visits per year. These virtual visits typically take place in the fall and in the spring. Your facilitator is available by phone, video and email throughout the year to provide guidance and support as needed.

*Visits are conducted virtually.

Fall - collaborate on an education plan and provide guidance on resources to enhance your chosen plan. Complete a report on any learning activities, projects, outings, adventures and planned activities. Accomplishments and plans are recorded and a report is created.

Spring - Students 'show-and-tell' their favourite projects, interests, assignments, creations, talents, etc. Students enjoy sharing through slide presentations, photos, physical experiments, arts/crafts, certificates, hobbies, works in progress and/or completed projects, reading/writing/math samples and other various achievements along with plenty of anecdotal descriptions. Accomplishments are recorded and a report is created.

*We are also available during these visits to answer any questions parents may have and provide support as needed.