Considering the best path for your young child through the early years of K-12 education brings important decisions. In 2025, the Ministry of Education and Childcare issued an updated document titled Learning in the Primary Years as teacher guidance for “nurturing the hearts and minds of Kindergarten through Grade 3” (p. 1). What are your beliefs and hopes for your child’s mind and heart? You can register for Kindergarten in September of the year they turn five years old. Are they ready? Are they excited? What will success look like? As you reflect upon the possibilities, Elev8 offers choices which may not yet be familiar to you.

In BC, online learning is defined as an alternative to classroom learning that can start as early as Kindergarten and continue until graduation. Online learning follows the BC curriculum and is led by a BC-certified teacher, through a variety of online and hybrid pathways. Elev8 is a Provincial Online School, which means that we serve learners within the boundaries of School District #8 Kootenay Lake, as well as families who may want to work with us from across the province. Within these possibilities, we provide two different streams. Families who live near Creston and Nelson may choose to enroll with Creston Homelinks or Nelson Homelinks which offer a hybrid of online and in-person opportunities. For families who are interested in a fully online program, the DESK Elementary Program offers supportive home-based possibilities. Upcoming blog posts will describe the features of both programs as shared by our teachers. In the meantime, you may appreciate the reflection questions we’ve posed as you think through the wider scope of what will best meet your child’s needs at this time. Know that there is flexibility to make new choices each year, and we are always happy to answer questions.

Elev8/HomeLinks – Flexible K-12 learning including online, in-person, and blended options 250.428.2217 x.7500 clerical.hcs@sd8.bc.ca.

Elev8/DESK - Online School for K-12 and Adults 1.800.663.4614 desk.registration@sd8.bc.ca.