FAQ's
How is The Erindale Academy (TEA) different from other schools?
TEA is a university
preparatory school that prepares students for admission
to top universities and applies each individual
student’s personalized academic target to maximize the
potential of each student. We consider our program
successful when our graduates become university
graduates.
As a university preparatory school, how does TEA connect with universities?
TEA connects with
universities in a variety of ways: university professors
are invited to conduct lectures and labs at the TEA
campus; TEA students take field trips to university
campuses to take part in workshops conducted by
university professors; TEA teachers attend university
sponsored conferences to keep up-to-date regarding new
developments in their field of study; including
cooperating with university recruitment teams who visit
TEA, discuss admission requirements and answer specific
questions.
Does TEA provide AP courses?
Yes. TEA is approved by the
College Board to offer AP courses. The school code is
826825
How does TEA rank compared to other Canadian high schools?
TEA recently ranked 2th for
Waterloo University Euclid Math Contest in Peel Region of
Greater Toronto Area.
Are scholarships available in TEA?
Yes, TEA provides several types of scholarships.
- The Principal’s Entrance Scholarship (up to $28,500)
- The Computer Science Entrance Scholarship (up to $28,500)
- The Math and Science Entrance Scholarship (up to $28,500)
- The International Student Scholarship (up to $10,000)
- The Art Entrance Scholarship (up to $28,500)
- The Community Scholarship (up to $10,000)
How does attendance affect my mark?
Good attendance is one of
the highest predictors of success. Therefore, TEA has a
strict attendance policy. If a student has five or more
unexcused absences (totaling 15 hours), the student may
not be allowed to take the final exam. If a student has
eight or more unexcused absences (24 hours), the student
may not be allowed to continue taking this course or
receive credit for this course.
How does a student know the status of his/her term marks and attendance?
Students can login to their
student online account to check their status at any time.
How do parents know a student’s learning status at school?
Parents can login to their
parent account to review students' marks, attendance, and
credits at any time. Our counsellors will contact parents
personally when there are concerns regarding their
child’s progress. Teachers also provide regular updates
that summarize their students’ academic status. These
may also be viewed online.
What is the day schedule at TEA?
Morning class (9 am to 12:15
pm); Lunch break (12:15 pm-1:10 pm); afternoon class
(1:10 pm-4:20 pm), Evening class (4:30 pm-9 pm); IELTS
and other tutoring classes (4:30 pm-9 pm). There is also
a 15 minute break in the morning and a 10 minute break in
the afternoon.
What is the TEA’s official communication channel with students and parents/ guardian?
Email is the school’s
official communication channel. Students and
parents/guardians must provide the school with a valid
email address to make sure that they can receive school
emails. The school sends all important information by
email. Students and parents/guardians are responsible for
checking their emails daily.
What does it mean to be a full-time TEA student?
A full-time student studying
at TEA means the Ontario Student Record (OSR) is
maintained at TEA. The school year begins in September
and ends on June 30th. TEA will provide full–time
students with all the courses required for admission to
the university of their choice.
How many courses may a full-time student take in one school year?
Typically, students take
between 8 to 10 credit courses per year.
How many courses may a full-time student take for a one year tuition fee?
Students may take up to 10
credits for a one year tuition.
What happens if a student chooses to take courses from other private schools?
To preserve TEA’s top
reputation, students are required to take all their
courses at TEA. Students who take courses at other
schools will lose their full-time status at TEA. Their
school records and responsibility for their university
admission application will be transferred to the other
school.
Will TEA guarantee to provide all courses that a student wishes to take?
TEA guarantees to provide
the courses that satisfy the requirements for the Ontario
Secondary School Diploma and admission to full-time
students preferred university programs.
What can students do to take courses that are not offered at TEA ?
TEA provides all the courses
that are required for university admission. If for
personal interest a student wishes to take a course that
TEA does not offer, the student may take it from our
partner school: the Independent Learning Centre (ILC)
which is operated by the Ontario Government.
Does TEA provide online courses? If for a legitimate reason, students cannot take classroom courses, how can TEA help them?
We strongly believe
classroom teaching is the best learning environment for
high school students. TEA does not provide online
courses. In special case such as for health reasons, TEA
will work with students to provide home study courses
through the Independent Learning Centre (ILC).
If students want to leave school before the end of the school year for personal reason, how can TEA help them finish their year?
TEA creates a student’s
study plan based on a full school year. If students
choose to leave school before the end of school year they
may not be able to complete all of their courses.
Students need to take the full responsibility for their
choices.
I paid one year tuition, but I took only 4 courses. Can I get a refund for part of the tuition?
As a full-time student in
TEA you commit to a full year program that requires you
to be available to attend full-time. TEA does not refund
any tuition fee no matter how many courses you take.
May I pay tuition by courses?
Grade 12 students who are Ontario registered students
with valid OEN numbers may pay tuition as follows. All
other students must pay the full-year tuition fee.
- For students who need fewer than 4 credits, the minimum tuition payable is for 4 courses.
- For students who need more than or equal to 4 credits, the tuition is payable for each course.
- New Green Path Program students must pay the full-year tuition.
- Existing Green Path Program students may pay their tuition according to items 1 and 2 listed above.
What is the tuition fee for each credit?
Tuition fees are adjusted every year, so please consult our website for
updates. For students attending 2019-2020, the Top University Green Path
Plus Program(VIP+): $38,500/year; Top University Green Path Program
(VIP): $28,500/year; Exchange Student Program: $18,500/year and Semester
Exchange Student Program: $5,000/Term.
As a Grade 12 student, if I do not finish my required credits, can I get a refund for part of the tuition?
The tuition for Grade 12
students is payable according to the requirements
outlined in Item 22 Full-time students should complete
all the credits that are required for the Ontario
Secondary School Diploma, and for admission to their
preferred university program. If, for any reason,
students do not complete the required credits, TEA does
not refund any tuition fee.
What is TEA’s recommended course sequence?
TEA’s courses prepare students to meet the requirements
for admission to university. We will recommend a program
that keeps open our students’ options for their desired
university program. For example, the following would be
suitable for admission to a broad range of university
programs:
Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ENG1D | ENG2D | ENG3U | ENG4U -Grade 12 U English |
Math | MPM1D | MPM2D | MCR3U | MHF4U - Advanced Functions MCV4U - Calculus and Vectors MDM4U - Math of Data Management |
Science | SNC1D | SNC2D | SBI3U SCH3U SPH3U |
SBI4U - Biology SCH4U - Chemistry SPH4U – Physics |
Computer | TEJ1O | TEJ2O | ICS3U | ICS4U – Computer Science |
Social Science | CGC1D | CHC2D | HRT3M | CIA4U – Analysing Current Economic Issues CGU4M – World Geography CHY4U –World History |
Art | AVI1O | AVI2O ASM2O |
AVI3M ASM3M |
AVI4M – Visual Arts ASM4M – Media Arts |
Business Studies | BBI1O BTT1O |
BBI2O BTT2O |
BAF3M BTA3O |
BBB4M – International Business BOH4M – Business Leadership Management BAT4M – Financial Accounting Principles |
What are the minimum Ontario High School Graduation requirements?
To receive the Ontario
Secondary School Diploma students must earn 30 high
school credits, perform 40 community hours, and pass the
Grade 10 Literacy Test. Students who do not pass the
Grade 10 literacy test are required to pass the Ontario
Secondary School literacy Course (OLC4O)
How do universities evaluate applicants?
Universities base their
admission decisions on the six highest Grade 12 course
marks and Language Test Results. In addition, Grade 12
alternative courses, Grade 11 related courses, and
rewards obtained in academic competitions will also be
part of a university’s considerations.
Are textbooks compulsory for courses at TEA?
Yes, textbooks are a
compulsory component of each course. Students may borrow
or buy textbooks for each course.
How do students obtain a textbook?
To ease the financial
burden, TEA will provide the required textbook(s) by
means of a textbook rental program. TEA’s affordable
rental program requires a $1,000 security deposit to
cover rental for all textbooks required for the current
school year. Textbooks will be issued at the beginning of
each course and students must return each textbook at the
end of the course. The $1,000 security deposit, minus a
$20 rental fee per course, will be refunded when all
rented books are returned by the end of the school year.
Students will be charged the retail price for books that
are not returned. Example: A fulltime student pays $1,000
security deposit in September. The student takes 9
courses. At the end of the last course the student is
refunded $1,000 - $180 or $820
29. Do students have to pay the $1,000 textbook security deposit if they are students paid by courses based on Item 21?
No, the security deposit
will be $100/ course. At the end of the last school year
the refund will equal the deposit minus a rental charge
of $20 per book.
May students extend their tuition to next year?
No, tuition is only valid
for one year from the day students begin the current
school year.
After students enrol in a course, if they want to cancel the course, can they get a refund for this course?
No. Students need to pay for
each course in which they enrol. Students will not
receive a refund even if they never attend the course for
any reason. In serious extenuating circumstances the
school will use its discretion to modify this rule.
If, after enrolling in a course, students find the course is not suitable for them, may they change to another course?
Yes. Students have option to
switch courses within three days if seating is available
in other courses.
What is the different between dropping courses and withdrawing from courses?
If students drop a course,
they do not have a record of this course on their
transcript. If students withdraw from a course, they will
have a record and mark of this course on their
transcript.
What is the dead line to drop a course?
To drop a course, students
must write a request to drop a course to the school
counsellor within 3 days after the midterm report of this
course.
Where do TEA students live?
Accommodations are divided
into managed and non-managed accommodations. The managed
accommodations are supervised either by the school or by
the host family. The students living in the managed
accommodations are always under the watchful supervision
of either a TEA staff member or a host parent. Students
staying in non-managed accommodation live with their
relatives, friends or in rental housing on their own; the
school does not manage the residences of these students.
Students who require non-managed accommodation must
obtain permission from their legal guardians and obtain
confirmation from the school.
May students’ make their own arrangements to rent a house or apartment?
If students are 18 years or
older, they may arrange to rent a house or apartment
independently with their parents permission.
Do students have an evening curfew time when they must be in their dormitory? How does the school manage this?
Students must be in their
dormitory by 10pm. The school will conduct random and
unannounced checks from time to time.
How does the school control excessive use of internet gaming in the evening?
The school implements strict
network management to control excessive use of internet
at night by residents. Internet use in the dormitory will
be disconnected at 12 am and will be re-connected at 6
am.
Are students required to care for their own room and common areas such as the kitchen?
Yes. Students are
responsible to keep their dormitory facilities clean and
neat. The school will check each student’s room weekly,
and if the room and common area are not clean and neat,
the student will be required to pay for cleaning by a
professional cleaner.
May a student accommodate others in their student condo?
Students in a condo are not
allowed to accommodate others without permission. If this
rule is violated, the student will be expelled from the
condo without a refund. At the same time, the student
will be given a severe warning, suspension or expulsion
from the school.
May a student host a guest in the student condo?
Students in condos are
permitted to host a guest for a short time provided there
is no interference with the rights of a roommate and
approval has been given by other roommates before
inviting a guest to the room. Students in condos are
forbidden to host a guest between 10 pm to 8am. If
violated, it will be treated as in Item 40 .
How does TEA deal with student violations?
Methods include: warnings,
severe warnings, temporary suspensions, probation and
finally expulsion from TEA.
What is TEA’s Plagiarism and Cheating Policy?
Plagiarism and cheating are
strictly prohibited in TEA. Based on the severity of the
plagiarism and cheating, the consequences will include:
redoing part orall of the plagiarized assignment;
completing an alternate assignment; loss of marks; a mark
of zero; suspension, dismissal from the course, and
expulsion from TEA.
If a student’s study visa is denied, can the student get a refund from TEA?
Yes, if a student’s study
visa is denied, after TEA receives the letter of refusal
from the embassy, TEA will return the money within one
month, minus the application and bank transfer fees.
If a student changes their mind about applying for a study visa or studying at TEA, may the student get a refund from school?
No, TEA will only refund if
the student’s study visa is denied. Otherwise, TEA does
not refund any money for any reason.
If a student cannot attend school due to a family or personal unforeseeable accident, can the student get a refund from TEA?
Yes, the school will refund
the money according to the specific situation.
What is the communication method between school and parents? How often?
TEA believes that an
efficient communication between school, parent and
students is important for maintaining the quality of
education. Our school counsellors will communicate with
parents about each students’ study or life situation
twice a month. The frequency may increase or decrease
depending on each student’s behaviour.
Where do most of the graduates from TEA go?
80% of the graduates from
TEA will stay in Canadian universities. 10% of the
graduates will go to USA universities. The other 10% will
go to destinations that include England, Australia, and
Hong Kong.
Is there any extra fee for helping students apply to non-Canadian universities such as USA universities?
No, except for the American
Ivy League universities and some other non-Canadian
universities, TEA where may charge an extra service fee
depending on the situations.
Does TEA have an IELTS training course?
Yes, the IELTS training
course is one of our special programs. The training team
is composed of IELTS examiners and specialists. We
encourage students to take our one-on-one IELTS training
program.
Is TEA an IELTS testing center?
Yes, students can take the
IELTS test at TEA every Saturday.