Frequently Asked Questions

Students will be taught the required academic subjects—English, Math, Science and Social Studies—along with Physical Education, CALM and a variety of personalized option courses, which can be tailored to each student's interests. We have shared a list of the standard academic and CTS courses, yet the opportunities and choices are endless!

By working in a practical, real-life learning environment, students will also master their communication, relationship and business skills. 

From site excavation and pouring the foundation to finishing interior details and learning the basics of selling a house, students develop a strong work ethic and gain knowledge on possible career paths.

This program follows the Parkland School Division calendar in the same way every other school in the Division does. The Building Futures classroom is based out of Spruce Grove Composite High School from September to January, then moves to the build site once the garage has been constructed and is ready for classroom use.

No. Transportation to the work site will be arranged through Parkland School Division’s Transportation Department.

Building Futures is an open campus program. While the site remains supervised for those who wish to stay, students are free to leave during their lunchtime. Should parents or guardians prefer their child remain on site, they may simply contact the teacher to let them know.

Yes. Building Futures is scheduled during the regular school day, and therefore students should not encounter problems making it on time for extracurricular activities. Although students learn off-site, they are still members of their home school community.

An additional cost of $200 is charged to cover field trips and consumables. Students will need to provide their own school supplies, as well as some of the personal equipment they will be using on the job site. Please refer to the Program Details page for a supply list and more specific information.

The list is endless. Students will be taught first-hand by carpenters, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, project managers, interior designers, real estate agents, site supervisors, project managers and countless other professionals.

Yes! We expect no previous knowledge and will teach each skill as needed.

No. Students will not be able to apprentice during their year in Building Futures. However, this experience will allow them to witness many different trades in action, and provide the knowledge to make a more sound decision about their future career endeavours.

Between 28 and 32 students will be part of the Building Futures class.

Yes. This experience will benefit most types of learners. Teachers deliver the curriculum in a personalized academic manner. Our hands-on approach and project-based model are designed to encourage and foster problem-solving skills, creativity and innovation and digital competency.

The students will be taught by two Parkland School Division subject-specific teachers. As it is in any school, academic delivery is the responsibility of the teachers. A site supervisor from Coventry Homes will also work closely with students to demonstrate the various competencies in building the home. This extremely low student-teacher ratio helps to maximize student learning.

We believe students learn best when they are engaged in real-life, relevant learning experiences. As in life, everything learned in Building Futures is interconnected and built upon the idea of growth and prosperity.

Please visit the How to Register page to apply for the program.

Please contact the Connections for Learning office at any time. We are happy to share more information with you and answer any questions you may have.