Board / authority authorized courses (BAA) are designed to meet local community needs while providing choice and flexibility for students. Each secondary school offers a variety of board authorized courses that provide unique opportunities for students to explore particular subject areas in greater depth.
Process for submitting a new BAA proposal:
- Review the Ministry of Education’s BAA Requirements & Procedures guide
- Consult with your school administration
- Download the revised BAA Template
- Use the BAA application checklist to guide your process.
- Submit BAA application to your school administrator for review.
- Upon approval, you administrator will submit your BAA application to the SD61 Learning Team.
- You will receive feedback on your final application before it goes to the board.
- Present your course proposal to the SD61 School Board.
Note: for a new BAA course to be approved, a teacher will need to demonstrate how the course differs from currently available options under the new curriculum. There should be minimal curricular overlap between a BAA course and a standard BC curriculum course.
BAA timeline for a potential September course start:
- November 1 – Intent to create BAA course must be declared to school administration.
- December 1 – BAA Application draft must be submitted by school administrator to the Secondary District Team
- First week back from Winter Break – Final draft of BAA application should be completed and submitted to school administrator who provides the final review and then submits the course to the district.
- January School Board Meeting – BAA course proposal presented to the SD61 Trustees. Teacher and administrator should be prepared to discuss the merits of their application.
- If application is successful, course can begin the following September.
BAA Application Resources
- Ministry of Education BAA Requirements & Procedures
- Indigenous Worldviews and Perspectives: Moving Forward
- Revised BAA Template (Word format)
- Sample BAA Application
- BAA application checklist
- BAA assessment form used when reviewing applications
- BAA ELL Course Framework
BAA Revision Process
Current SD61 BAA Course List
| Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Leadership 10 | Astronomy 11 | Athletic Leadership 12 |
| Beginners ELL 10 | Athletic Leadership 11 | Athletic Leadership: Baseball/Softball 12 |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 10 | ||
| Community Leadership 10 | Athletic Leadership: Baseball/Softball 11 | Autobody 12a |
| Performance Training 10 | Autobody 11a | Autobody 12b |
| Electronics & Electrical 10 | Autobody 11b | Automotive Service & Repair 12 |
| Aviation Maintenance 12 | ||
| ELL Learning Strategies 10 | Automotive Service & Repair 11 | Aviation Fabrication 12 |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 11 | Automotive Service Technician 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d | |
| Flexible Studies 10 | Community Leadership 11 | Aviation Systems & Design 12 |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 12 | ||
| Introduction to Autobody 10 | Computer Graphics & Animation 11 | Community Leadership 12 |
| Introduction to Hairstylist 10 | Design & Innovation 11 | Computer Graphics & Animation 12 |
| Junior Art Metal 10 | Digital Photography 11 (formerly Digital Imaging 11) | Co-Operative Education 12 A/B/C |
| Learning Strategies 10 | Electrical Apprenticeship 11 | Criminology 12 |
| Outdoor Education 10 | ELL Academic Literacy 11 (formerly ESL Composition 11) | Design & Innovation 12 |
| Peer Tutoring 10 | Environment & Sustainability 11 | Digital Photography 12 (formerly Digital Imaging 12) |
| Explorations in Computers 11 | ||
| Principles of Sport 10 | Flex Studies 11 | Electrical Apprenticeship 12A |
| Symphony Orchestra 10 | Human Performance 11 (formerly Performance Training 11) | Electrical Apprenticeship 12B |
| Teacher Assistant 10 | Indigenous Leadership 1 (formerly Indigenous Cultural Connections 11) | Environment & Sustainability 12 |
| Explorations in Computers 12 | ||
| Ukulele 10 | Indigenous Theatre & Leadership 11 | Film Studies 12 |
| Yoga for Mindfulness 10 | Integrated Studies 11 | Flex Studies 12 |
| Intercultural Studies 11 | Gender & Sexuality in Society 12 | |
| Intermediate ELL 11 (formerly English Language Development 11) | Icons Through Art History 12 | |
| Journalism 11 | Global & Intercultural Skills Program 12 (formerly Global & Intercultural Studies 12) | |
| Learning Strategies 11 | History of Rock and Roll 12 | |
| Library Sciences 11 | Human Performance 12 (formerly Performance Training 12) | |
| Outdoor Leadership 11 | Introduction to Aviation 12 | |
| Pastry and Baked Products 11 | Journalism 12 | |
| Peer Tutoring 11 | Learning Strategies 12 | |
| Performance Training 11 (formerly Cross-Training 11) | Marine Biology 12 | |
| Professional Cook 11a & 11b | ||
| Reconnecting Youth 11 | ||
| Principles of Sport 11 (formerly Principles of Rugby / Soccer 11) | Outdoor Leadership 12 | |
| Psychology 11 | Peer Tutoring 12 | |
| Symphony Orchestra 11 | Performance Training 12 | |
| Teacher Assistant 11 | Principles of Sport 12 (formerly Principles of Rugby / Soccer 12) | |
| Professional Cook 12a & 12b | ||
| Textiles Arts and Crafts 11 | Psychology 12 | |
| Travel Languages 11 | Scholarship Prep 12 | |
| Ukulele 11 (formerly Strings & Fretted Instruments - Ukulele 11) | Symphony Orchestra 12 | |
| earbook 11 | Teacher Assistant 12 | |
| Yoga for Mindfulness 11 | Ukulele 12 (formerly Strings & Fretted Instruments - Ukulele 12) | |
| Women's Studies 12 | ||
| Yearbook 12 | ||
| Yoga for Mindfulness 12 |
