How online learning works

A structured online classroom, not an unsupervised one

Courses run on a fixed term with weekly deadlines and real teacher contact. Students choose when in the week to study, not whether the course has a schedule.

Learning platform

Google Classroom will organize each course into clearly labelled modules containing lessons, readings, assignments, due dates, teacher feedback, and links to scheduled live support. Students can access their course from a computer or supported tablet with an internet connection.

Synchronous vs. asynchronous

Most coursework is asynchronous — students complete lessons on their own time within each week. Live sessions (office hours, oral assessments, orientation) are synchronous and scheduled in advance.

Students use an individually verified Google account approved for course access. Account ownership, privacy, identity verification and acceptable-use requirements are documented during enrolment. COLA does not publish public Google Classroom join codes.

Teacher interaction

Every student is assigned a course teacher who holds scheduled virtual office hours, responds to student or parent messages within two business days, and normally returns marked assignments with feedback within five business days. Teachers personally review and evaluate student evidence; final grades are not assigned by automated grading.

Assignment deadlines

Each unit has a firm submission deadline set at the start of the term. Courses are not self-paced: students who fall behind schedule must contact their teacher to arrange an extension or a revised plan.

Attendance & participation

Attendance is recorded by course week. Verified access or participation in planned learning at any time from Monday through Friday is recorded as present for that course week; no participation is recorded as absent. Beginning in 2026–27, attendance and participation also form 15% of Grades 9–10 marks and 10% of Grade 11 marks. Excused absences do not reduce this component.

Assessments & examinations

Course work forms 65% of the final mark. The mandatory final evaluation is 20% in Grades 9–10 and 25% in Grade 11, with the remaining 15% or 10% assigned to attendance and participation. Each course page states its required exam and culminating-task split. Written exams are securely proctored online during the designated examination period, as permitted for private schools.

Academic support

Students can reach their teacher through office hours or messaging, and access guidance counselling and, where needed, special education support. See our Student Support page for details.

Course-completion timelines

Full-credit courses will include at least 110 scheduled hours of instruction and half-credit courses at least 55 hours. Students will follow the confirmed dates and milestones published in the School Course Calendar when enrolment opens.

Technology requirements

Students need:

—A computer or tablet with a reliable internet connection

—A webcam and microphone for live sessions and identity verification during assessments

—A quiet space to complete coursework and tests

Parent progress updates

With the appropriate consent and account setup, parents and guardians of students under 18 may receive Google Classroom guardian summaries showing missing work, upcoming work, and recent class activity. Standard guardian summaries do not display grades, so COLA will also provide a formal progress update at least every four weeks, mid-course and final provincial report cards, and teacher conferences by appointment. Additional Classwork preview features may be available where supported by the school’s Google Workspace edition.

Report cards

Formal report cards are issued at the midpoint and end of each course, following the Ministry's Growing Success reporting format, and include the teacher's comments on progress and learning skills.

Academic integrity

Students are expected to submit their own original work. Identity verification and remote proctoring apply to major assessments, and suspected violations are addressed under our Code of Conduct.

See how to apply