Academic Policy

BCCAT welcomes applications for admissions from individuals committed to learning English as a Second Language. BCCAT offers English classes from beginner level to advanced. Admission level will be determined through a standardized written and oral placement test completed as part of the admissions process. At the completion of each level students will be tested to determine whether they have successfully achieved the requirements of the program. Applicants must be aged 18 or older for admission to BCCAT.

BCCAT encourages application from students with an enthusiasm for learning and a desire gain fluency in English. Applicants must complete a registration form and meet all other admission requirements. 

BCCAT follows the principle of the right to freedom of inquiry by its faculty and students however it is expected that teachers and students will use good judgment and avoid controversial matter that is unrelated to the teaching material as defined through BCCAT’s mission statement. 

Students have the freedom to learn and the right to appropriate conditions for learning in the classroom and on BCCAT premises. It is expected that students will exercise this freedom with responsibility. Academic freedom requires the teacher to encourage open discussion of course content and to ensure students’ rights to freedom of reasoned exception to the course content. At the same time students are responsible for maintaining adequate academic standards of the course(s) they are enrolled in. BCCAT evaluates students solely on an academic basis, not on opinions unrelated to academic standards.

Students are expected to be present at a minimum of 80 percent of attendance for each semester. 

If a student must be absent from school, the student must inform the school and report the reason for the absence. If a student is absent for three consecutive days and does not notify the school, the school will attempt to contact the student by telephone, email, and/or by mail. On the student’s return he/she will be required to meet with the school’s administrative staff concerning the absences. 

Excused absences shall be granted on a case by case basis. Reasons can include, but are not limited to:illness of the student; death of a family member; religious holiday of the student’s own faith; medical or dental appointments. Unexcused absences may result in termination. Occasionally, students may experience extended personal, medical or other problems which make it difficult to attend class. BCCAT allows a student under such circumstances to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) from the program. An LOA must be requested in writing by the student and must be approved by the School Director.

In order to be eligible for progression to the next level of study in a course subject, a student must earn a grade of C or higher in the subject. Failure to meet this standard will result in the student having to retake the class. 

If students are admitted to existing classes and missed more than 25% of the course work, they may retake the class on the following semester.

A  90-100 Excellent

B  80-89 Good

C  70-79 Pass

D  60-69 Fail

F  59-below Fail

I  Incomplete

W  Withdrawal