Program Details

We recognize every student is unique and every student’s education plan is different. The goal of Building Futures is to give everyone a unique approach to learning, and the opportunity to develop practical skills. This program exposes students to various Alberta trades, as well as many other vocations within the construction industry, such as design, architecture, real estate, sales, marketing and so much more.

Small Student to Teacher Ratio

For the entire school year students will have support from the same homeroom teachers, who specialize in complementary subject areas. Teachers learn how individuals learn best, enabling them to personalize each student's education plan. Students are challenged academically while engaged in meaningful, practical applications of building a house.

Unique Learning Approach

The program is a collaboration between students, parents and community members. Exposing students to an array of industry trades, they can eventually choose a career path based on an informed decision, one that helps build success in an industry with robust options.

Earn Required Credits Efficiently

Students have the opportunity to earn at least 50 credits in this program, allowing them more flexibility in planning their schedules for Grades 11 and 12.

Please see below for specific details on the course credits students can earn:

Student progress is updated on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Academic marks for Math, Science, English, and Social are updated after each unit is completed, while marks for Career & Technology Studies (CTS) and complimentary credit courses are updated after course theory has been completed, and practical and employability skills have been demonstrated.

As with other Parkland School Division programs, parents and guardians can view their student's progress online using PowerSchool. For more information about PowerSchool and how to access it, please visit the Parkland School Division website.

In addition to the typical school supplies students will use to complete their academic coursework, they will also require personal protective equipment (PPE) and construction tools. Some of this is provided by the school; the rest is provided by the student:

For more information about safety requirements, PPE and assessment practices used on the job site, please see the Building Futures Construction Handbook and the Parkland School Division Occupational Health and Safety Manual.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in optional field trips throughout the year. The cost of each field trip varies and is determined on a cost-recovery basis.

These field trips may include visits to:

• Window/door and design centres
• Concrete and stair manufacturers
• A landscape centre
• Main Office of Coventry Homes (sales and service)
• Various well-being activities

Connections for Learning values partnerships with the community. Students in Building Futures will have the opportunity to work with community members with the intent to build lasting, meaningful relationships. Community members and expert tradespeople provide students with insight into many different aspects of home building.

An additional cost of $200 is required to cover the cost of field trips and consumables used in various CTS projects. For more information, please see the Building Futures FAQs page.