AP 305: Independent Students
Organization & Culture
Background
The Superintendent recognizes the rights of a student determined to be an independent student as defined by the Education Act.
Definitions
a) Independent Student: shall refer to a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, or sixteen (16) years of age or older and living independently.
Procedures
1. The Principal shall review and approve a student’s declaration or request for independence in consideration of the following:
1.1. Whether the student or the student’s parent has made a statement in writing, indicating that the student is living independently (Education Act s. 6(1)(a)); specifically,
1.1.1. The student shall make a declaration in a manner requested by the student’s school (i.e., form, email);
1.2. The student’s living arrangements (Education Act s. 6(1)(b)); specifically,
1.2.1. To be considered “independent”, prior to the age of eighteen (18), a student shall not be residing in any parent’s residence;
1.3. Whether the student is financially independent or contributes financially to the student’s maintenance (Education Act s. 6(1)(c)); specifically,
1.3.1. Independent students shall be responsible for fees and costs typically associated with their education; and
1.3.2. Independent students may qualify for a Waiver of Fees (as per Administrative Procedure 522 s. 12)
1.4. Whether the student is responsible for the making of significant decisions regarding matters such as health care (Education Act s. 6(1)(d));
2. Independent Students shall be recognized as such within the Division’s student information system.
3. An Independent Student is entitled to exercise all the rights and powers that the student’s parent would be entitled to exercise or receive (Education Act. S 6(2)); notably,
3.1. Independent Students shall dictate all matters typically associated with parental rights, including the granting of permission, the identification of emergency contacts, and any other matters.
4. An Independent Student is entitled to receive all the benefits, and is subject to all the obligations that the student’s parent would be entitled to receive or be subjected (Education Act s. 6(2)).
5. The Independent Student’s parent shall not exercise those rights, receive those benefits or be subject to any obligations (Education Act s. 6(2)).
6. In the event circumstances change and the student no longer meets the criteria for independent status, the student and parent or guardian shall inform the Principal of the change, in writing;
6.1. The Principal or designate shall then reflect this change of status within the student information system.
