we offer a constellation of choice for your shining star

launched September 1, 2020

Our innovative approach to education helps Alberta students succeed through the elementary grades 1 through 6, junior high school grades 7 through 9, senior high school grades 10 through 12, and beyond. We recognize that the individual circumstances of learners vary greatly and, accordingly, ursa offers maximum flexibility to meet the needs of our students and their families. Students may take advantage of an online, onsite, and print based program or a combination of delivery methods through ursa Distance. ursa Shared Responsibility offers programs which are part parent-directed and part teacher-directed. ursa Parent Directed programming is offered for families delivering “traditional home education”. Through one of our three programming choices, ursa will help your shining star succeed.

three program choices – a world of possibilities

ursa supports home-based education families that want fully teacher directed programming, support in specific subject areas, as well as fully parent directed programming.

ursa

Distance Programming

This distance learning alternative provides fully teacher-directed programming online, onsite and print. No matter where in the world your family may be, your student’s teacher is only a phone call, email, or video chat away throughout the academic year.

Now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 School Year for Alberta Students in Grades 1 through 12.

For information or an application form, email smattu@thirdschools.ca or call us at 403-288-5335 option “2”.

ursa

Shared Responsiblity

Some families will view our shared responsibility program as providing “the best of both worlds” by combining parent directed home education with teacher directed instruction for chosen subject areas. Shared responsibility programming is ultimately flexible, allowing you to home educate your child while gaining access to the services and support of a teacher in delivering some programming. Delivery of the teacher-directed component could be online, onsite, or print based.

Now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 School Year for Alberta Students in Grades 1 through 12.

For information or an application form, email smattu@thirdschools.ca or call us at 403-288-5335 option “2”.

ursa

Parent
Directed

Previously known as Willow Home Ed, this is a 100% parent directed program commonly known as “traditional” home education. Our Home Education Managers provide home education families the support they need to design and deliver a flexible program that meets their child’s needs while meeting Alberta Education’s standards for a home education program.

Now accepting online applications for the 2022-2023 School Year for Alberta Students in Grades 1 through 12.

Click below for instructions how to apply for ursa Parent Directed

ursa’s people – working together for student success

exceptional staff for exceptional students

ursa Home Education Managers

The “heart” of an ursa student’s program is their ursa Program Manager. In addition to being Alberta certified teachers, our Program Managers are experienced home educators. They know how to assist parents in providing a home-based program while referring students to the appropriate ursa Subject Specialist for teacher-directed instruction.

Ursa Subject Specialists

ursa’s teaching staff are certified teachers with broad experience across the curriculum, within Alberta, Canada, and abroad. Subject area experience includes Elementary Education, English, Social Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Physical Education, Drama, Music, Film Studies, and more.

Ursa Students

The ideal student who should join ursa resides anywhere in Alberta and in Grades 1 through 12. You are students that want to pursue your passions, whenever and wherever they may take you, whether that be sports, the arts, specialized academic areas, travel, or….well…”the world is your oyster”. We’re here to support and serve.

meet the ursa team

We invite you to get to know our team a little more. Click on the photos below to launch an in-depth bio for each of our amazing teachers.

our home education managers:

our distance online/onsite teachers:

“The ursa program has empowered me and given me back my sense of parental agency. After many years in traditional secular systems where decisions were made against my wishes or without my consideration, I felt totally disempowered as a parent to support my child in the ways she needed. The ursa program changed this. With the guidance of my amazingly supportive home education manager, I was able to create a plan and a developmentally appropriate program that met my daughter where she was at; to enable her growth, confidence and skill development. Thanks to ursa, I was given back my voice and choice in my child’s education and development, and my advocacy no longer falls on deaf ears.”

“Our family has been so happy with our experience with the ursa shared program. My children have found the online classes to be both interactive and engaging and I have been impressed with the level of care and commitment shown by teachers. The teachers and staff at ursa, at all levels, have been so helpful and accommodating. They have always been available to help and answer questions which we have appreciated as this was our first year navigating online classes."

“We have been doing homeschool, parent directed with ursa for three years and it has been so great! Our HEM has always been very helpful anytime we run into problems. Registration has also been a breeze and if there are any issues, the staff if very quick to help. I would definitely recommend ursa to anyone looking for a great solution to homeschooling.”

Our daughter had a fun year homeschooling with ursa. She enjoys visiting and learning with her peers and teachers online and still has the flexibility of at home learning with me. Any struggles along the way have been addressed and supported quickly by her amazing teachers! As a parent I've really appreciated the support, and the ability to still homeschool with the knowledge that her online classes are teaching her subjects I'm not comfortable teaching now that she's older. As a family, ursa has been a great fit for us this year!

“From the beginning of our parent directed homeschool journey, ursa and it’s resourceful, highly supportive, and generally wonderful facilitator, have provided us with solid, kind and knowledgeable support. Our approach to educating our kids has always been accepted, questions or concerns have been promptly answered, and discussions have been enlightening with ursa.”

“My child has been taking grade 6 teacher-led Math, ELA and Science classes as part of ursa Shared. The classes are engaging, fun and provide opportunities for both academic and social growth. As a family we really appreciate that most work gets done during class time. Overall, it has been an enjoyable experience that helped our child’s confidence and knowledge grow. ”

403-288-5335 and select option “2”.

400 Prince of Peace Way, Rocky View County, AB T1X 1G2

For information or an application form, email smattu@thirdschools.ca or call us at 403-288-5335 option “2”.

For information or an application form, email smattu@thirdschools.ca or call us at 403-288-5335 option “2”.

Click below for instructions how to apply for ursa Parent Directed

meet the ursa team

our home education managers:

our distance online/onsite teachers:

Tracy Gilluley

David Abma

Thera MacKinnon