An adult high school diploma is the British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma (BCAGD), also known as the Adult Dogwood. It is for adult learners (18 years of age and older) who want to take courses in order to complete high school and obtain their adult high school diploma. Learn more.
A student cannot start the Adult Graduation Diploma Program until they turn 18.
To graduate with an Adult Dogwood in the B.C. secondary school system, students must have:
Of the five courses required for an Adult Dogwood, credit must be earned for at least three courses after the adult student has entered the Adult Graduation Diploma Program. This means that students can receive credit toward an Adult Dogwood for no more than two qualifying courses completed prior to enrollment in the Adult Graduation Program.
NOTE: The ministry does not currently collect a program start date from schools. It assigns a proxy date based on the student's 18th birthday.
As part of the TRAX to GRAD Modernization Project, Adult Dogwood transcripts and transcript verification reports (TVRs) now feature requirement indicator numbers and non-graduation reasons.
Adult graduation requirements are now designated by code numbers in the requirements (REQ) column on both transcripts and TVRs.
1 = Language Arts 12 (4 credits) |
2 = Math 11 or 12 (4 credits) |
3 = Social Studies 11 (4 credits), if applicable |
4 = Grade 12 ministry-authorized course electives (8 credits or 12 credits if no REQ 3) |
No Language Arts 12 (4 credits) |
No Math 11 or 12 |
Fewer than three eligible elective courses |
Fewer than three eligible courses completed after starting the program |
School has not reported the student as being expected to graduate in a given year (grade must = AD) |
The Adult Graduation Diploma Program algorithm is complex. In addition to determining whether graduation has or hasn't been met, it must also select the best available results in cases where there is more than one course that meets a specific requirement. It must also ensure students have completed at least three of the required courses after starting the program.
In cases where students haven't yet met the requirements, the algorithm may not be able to identify all potential pathways to graduation on the TVR.
Student X was born on October 14, 1996. The earliest they could have started the Adult Graduation Diploma Program is November, 2014, the month after they turned 18. Prior to November, they completed and passed four courses. Any two of these four courses could be used to meet the Adult Graduation Diploma Program requirements. The student also completed and passed an eligible course after November, 2014.
At this point, the TVR would look like this:
Course Name | Session Date | Final % | Final Letter Grade | Grad Req |
---|---|---|---|---|
English 12 | 2014/06 | 52 | C- | |
Foundations of Mathematics 11 | 2014/06 | 54 | C- | |
Geology 12 | 2022/08 | 80 | B | 4 |
Physical Education 12 | 2014/06 | 82 | B | 4 |
Social Studies 11 | 2014/06 | 69 | C+ | 3,4 |
When the school reports two more eligible courses have been completed by the student above, after their program start date, the algorithm can continue. It readjusts to prioritize graduation over higher mark selections.
Course Name | Session Date | Final % | Final Letter Grade | Grad Req |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anatomy and Physiology 12 | 2023/01 | 78 | B | 4 |
Art Metal and Jewelry 12 | 2023/01 | 85 | B | 4 |
English 12 | 2014/06 | 52 | C- | 1 |
Foundations of Mathematics 11 | 2014/06 | 54 | C- | 2 |
Geology 12 | 2022/08 | 80 | B | 4 |
Physical Education 12 | 2014/06 | 82 | B | |
Social Studies 11 | 2014/06 | 69 | C+ |
TRAX to GRAD Modernization Project