Kootenay Discovery School

Kootenay Discovery School (KDS) offers engaging online and blended learning programs for students in Kindergarten through Grade 9. As part of School District No. 5, our elementary and middle years programs are designed to support families seeking flexibility, personalized learning, and a strong partnership with educators.

At KDS, we recognize that every child learns differently. Our programs are ideal for families looking for alternative pathways that allow students to learn in flexible ways while meeting BC curriculum standards.

Each school year begins with the development of a personalized learning plan, co-created by the KDS teacher and the student’s parent or guardian. This plan outlines learning goals and helps guide instruction throughout the year.

Parents and guardians play an active daily role in facilitating engaging learning experiences, supporting skill development, and, for Grades 4–9, helping guide students through online coursework. KDS teachers provide regular communication, resources, and timely feedback to support families and monitor student progress toward provincial learning outcomes.

As a public online learning school, KDS is different from a homeschool registration program. Students are enrolled in a BC public school program and are expected to engage regularly with their KDS teacher, follow a co-created learning plan, and provide authentic student-generated evidence of learning throughout the year.

Families are encouraged to review our Active Enrollment and Evidence of Learning Policy and Frequently Asked Questions before registering to ensure the program is a good fit.

What to Expect

• Flexible, teacher-supported learning designed to meet BC curriculum standards.
• Students connect regularly with their teacher through online meetings, email, phone calls, or in-person visits (when local and possible).
• Learning plans are aligned with the BC Curriculum and supported with formal report cards three times per year.
• For Grades 4–9, course materials are provided through Brightspace, our online learning platform. For K–3, instructional supports and resources are provided in collaboration with the homeroom teacher, with access to district Learning Funds for school-approved materials and learning opportunities connected to the student’s learning plan.
• Families are supported in developing routines at home that support progress in literacy, numeracy, and other curricular areas.
• As part of regular participation, families share ongoing evidence of student learning with the KDS teacher. Evidence may include student work samples, photos or videos of learning activities, recorded explanations, parent-student conversations, written responses, projects, assessments, or other demonstrations that allow the teacher to assess the student’s understanding. Parent descriptions of learning are helpful context, but they do not replace student-generated evidence.

Tools We Use

Program Options

1) Online Learning Only

Students and their families are supported by their KDS teacher through digital platforms, scheduled check-ins, and assessments. Students complete their learning from home and do not attend regular in-person sessions.

This option requires consistent home support, regular communication with the KDS teacher, and ongoing submission of student-generated evidence of learning.

2) Blended Learning

Blended students are supported in the same way as online learners and also attend scheduled in-person sessions with a focus on outdoor, community-based, and hands-on learning. Activities are intentionally designed by the KDS teacher to build social-emotional skills, promote critical and creative thinking, and connect to curriculum areas in meaningful ways.

Blended learning is an extension of the online program and requires consistent engagement with both in-person and at-home learning expectations. It is not designed as drop-in programming or partial participation without ongoing academic engagement.

In-person learning experiences are carefully planned to support learning standards in areas such as Arts Education, Physical and Health Education, French, Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies (ADST), and other curriculum-connected learning opportunities.

In-person blended learning options are currently offered in Fernie only and include:

Why This Works

Standards-based learning: KDS aligns with BC Ministry online learning requirements and BC curriculum standards, ensuring instruction, assessment, and reporting are provided by certified teachers.

Strong partnerships with families: Parents and guardians are active partners in their child’s learning, particularly in the elementary and middle years. With guidance from certified teachers, families support learning environments that nurture curiosity, confidence, independence, and steady progress.

A flexible pathway: Online and blended learning can provide a valuable pathway for students and families seeking flexibility, personalized pacing, or an alternative to a traditional full-time classroom setting. Our programs offer structure and support while helping students remain connected to BC curriculum expectations.

How to Register

Interested in registering for the 2026-27 school year? Click here to complete a registration form