ACT/SAT-Weekly Prep
2020-02-05 06:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
Core test skills classes allow students to prepare for the ACT and/or SAT exam(s) while also building essential academic skills. Students develop their abilities as active readers, learn fundamental grammar,and increase their understanding of essay structure. On-going classes prepare students for the ACT and/or SAT by teaching test structure and test-taking strategy. At the same time, students learn skills that translate into success at school in reading and writing. Students can attend each session or pick and choose the sessions they need.Content is unique for each session and is never repeated.
Dates include:
February 5th: Reading/Grammar
February 12th: Reading/Grammar
February 19th: Math
February 26th: Reading/Grammar

ACT/SAT Weekly Core Test Skills
2020-02-05 18:00 - 20:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
Core test skills classes at Options Solutions allow students to prepare for the ACT and/or SAT exam(s) while also building essential academic skills. Students develop their abilities as active readers, learn fundamental grammar, and increase their understanding of math fundamentals. Ongoing classes prepare students for the ACT and/or SAT by teaching test structure and test-taking strategy. At the same time, students learn skills that translate into success at school in reading, writing and math.
Why is test prep at Options different?

Test prep at Options is unique because it combines test preparation with teaching fundamental academic skills. With many years of experience, Options teachers ensure that students understand the higher-level reading, writing and math skills that will prepare them for the ACT and/or SAT, but will also help them succeed in high school and beyond. Students receive a strong grounding in how the test works and strategies for attaining a high score, combined with an opportunity to increase their overall academic performance. Students can attend each session or pick and choose the sessions they need. Content is unique for each session and is never repeated.

Course Planning 101
2020-02-10 17:30 - 19:30 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
This two-hour workshop is designed to help grade 10 and 11
students and their parents prepare for 2020-2021 course
planning. Options Solutions president Melinda Giampietro will
walk students through the process of course selection.
An overview of the trends in post-secondary education.
BC Ministry requirements for graduation, including shifts in the 2019-20 curriculum and assessments.
The requirements for various academic majors (Engineering, Science, Kinesiology, Business, Arts, etc).
Usable admission courses versus non-usable admission courses.
How requirements vary by province.
How to keep as many doors open as possible and what to do if you don’t know what you want to study.
Should I take AP, IB or honours courses? Should I do French Immersion?
The myths of course planning (Do I need French 12 or Calculus 12?).
Setting up a foundation for academic success at university, not just “getting in”.
What marks should I shoot for to attend the institution where I want to go?
How is course selection different if I am interested in attending an institution in the US or the UK?

**Students should bring a list of available courses from their school and a copy of their most recent report cards.

ACT/SAT Prep Programs - Mock Exam Sittings
2020-03-08 10:00 - 14:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
Test prep at Options is unique because it combines test preparation with teaching fundamental academic skills. With many years of experience, Options instructors ensure that students understand the higher-level reading, writing and math skills that will prepare them for the ACT and SAT, but will also help them succeed in high school and beyond. Options doesn’t just teach “test-taking tricks” like other test prep organizations. Instead, students receive a strong grounding in how the test works and strategies for attaining a high score, combined with an opportunity to increase their overall academic performance.
This option includes a 4-hour exam, exam marking (including customized essay marking), and a 3-hour debrief. Each student is given a cover sheet to help them understand their successes and their areas needing
improvement. In order to get an accurate estimate of a student’s abilities, we use only officially released ACT and SAT exams. This is the best “bang for your buck” prep wise, and the most crucial element of prep. If the exam
dates do not work for you, please contact the office to pick up a copy of the exam.
Debrief (ACT only) – Mar 12, 5-8 pm

ACT/SAT - Boot Camp - ACT Specific
2020-03-16 10:00 - 13:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
Winter Break & Spring Break ACT-Specific Boot Camps
These sessions, which are scheduled over school breaks, focus on
helping students master the ACT exam through ongoing prep. Topics
will cover every portion of the test and will include test-taking strategies
and time management tips.
10 am to 1 pm daily
Mar 16: Reading/Grammar
Mar 17: Reading/Grammar
Mar 18: Reading/Grammar
Mar 19: Math
Mar 20: Science

Graduation Literacy Assessment (GLA) Prep: Spring Break Study Series
2020-03-17 14:00 - 17:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
This in-depth program is a condensed series of practice
sessions offered for three consecutive days during
spring break.

March 17th: Part A
March 18th: Part B
March 19th: Part C

Essay Essentials Bootcamp
2020-03-17 14:00 - 17:00
This three-day boot camp is designed to give current grade 10, 11,
and 12 students a solid understanding of English grammar,
writing conventions, and essay basics, so they can approach
essay writing with the knowledge and skills necessary for
success. Students will learn the essentials to writing expert
argumentative essays, the most common essay genre they will
write in high school. Materials will be provided.

This course will cover:

Usage of evidence
MLA citations
Targeted editing
Active reading
Essay planning
Thesis construction

The session will be interactive and dynamic. Students will leave with a clearer
understanding of essay writing basics and how to apply those skills.
*Students are asked to bring a laptop if they prefer to type their essays.

ACT/SAT - Boot Camp - Core Skills
2020-03-23 10:00 - 13:00 | South Granville Office, 3195 Granville Street, Suite 203, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3K2, Canada
Spring Break Core Skills Boot Camp @ South Granville Office (203-3195 Granville Street)
This boot camp is an intensive session that focus on helping students master the ACT and/or SAT exam. Topics will cover every portion of the test and will include test-taking strategies, time management tips, and crossover skills for the ACT/SAT exam.
Dates include:
10 am to 1 pm daily
Mar 23: Math
Mar 24: Reading/Grammar
Mar 25: Reading/Grammar
Mar 26: Reading/Grammar
Mar 27: Math

ACT/SAT-Weekend Prep
2020-03-28 10:00 - 17:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
These weekend prep sessions are designed to deliver a concentration of exam prep. Each Saturday and Sunday is divided into two sessions from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm. The material used in weekend prep is different from any material used in previous prep sessions.Each Super Weekend is situated before an official ACT or SAT test date and is meant to be a focused weekend of study.
Dates include:
Mar 28
10 am to 1 pm – Math
2 pm to 5 pm – Science

Mar 29
10 am to 1 pm – Essay/Reading
2 pm to 5 pm – English/Grammar

GLA Mock Exam
2020-03-29 10:00 - 13:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
Students complete a three-hour practice exam, followed by
a two-hour debrief of the marked multiple choice and
essay questions.
Mar 29th – Mock Exam
Apr 2nd – Debrief

Graduation Literacy Assessment (GLA) Prep: 3 Part Study Series
2020-03-30 18:00 - 20:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
3 Part Study Sessions:
These in-depth study sessions cover each section of the
exam. Most students should attend all three, while more
advanced English students can target their weak areas. In
each session, students will have opportunities to do handson
practice and receive incisive feedback from the
instructor.

□ Part A focuses on textual analysis and active reading,
multiple-choice strategy, and the creation of a graphic
organizer. (March 30th)
□ Part B tackles active reading, essay planning, and
writing a multi-paragraph essay. (April 4th)
□ Part C introduces students to two essay approaches and then guides their writing. (April 6th)

Thriving in an Online Environment
2020-04-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This two-hour workshop is designed to give students an introduction to how they can thrive in their new online environment, so they are better able to approach this learning opportunity with the knowledge and skills necessary for success. Students will learn essential strategies to help them make the best use of their executive functioning skills as their classes move online. Materials will be provided.
This workshop will cover:

Setting up a study space
Planning work/study time
Using agendas/calendars
Digital note-taking
Digital organization
Online resources
Stress management
Online studying strategies

Graduation Literacy Assessment Prep: 3-Part Study Series
2020-04-04 18:00 - 20:00 | All Offices
These in-depth study sessions cover each section of the
exam. Most students should attend all three, while more
advanced English students can target their weak areas. In
each session, students will have opportunities to do hands on
practice and receive incisive feedback from the
instructor.
Part A: focuses on textual analysis and active reading,
multiple-choice strategy, and the creation of a graphic
organizer.
Part B: tackles active reading, essay planning, and
writing a multi-paragraph essay.
Part C: introduces students to two essay approaches
and then guides their writing.

Essay Essentials
2020-04-06 18:00 - 20:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
This three-day boot camp is designed to give current grade 9, 10,
11, and 12 students a solid understanding of English grammar,
writing conventions, and essay basics, so they can approach
essay writing with the knowledge and skills necessary for
success. Students will learn the essentials to writing expert
argumentative essays, the most common essay genre they will
write in high school. This session will be a great way to hone
students’ writing skills while classes transition to an online
model. Materials will be provided.
The course will cover:

Active reading
Essay planning
Thesis construction
Usage of evidence
MLA citations
Targeted Editing

*This will be a virtual session

English 101 Workshop
2020-04-22 18:00 - 20:00, 2020-07-08 11:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-15 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Format, Online
These weekly two-hour workshops are designed to give students in grades 9-11 ongoing English and writing support, so they don’t lose their momentum due to online learning. Students will learn essential skills to improve their writing and build on these fundamentals each week to become more confident and better equipped to deal with any writing task they may encounter throughout high school and ensure they don’t backslide. Materials will be provided.
This course will cover:

Active reading and annotations
Planning and outlining
Essay organization
Analytical essay writing
Synthesis essay writing
Research essay writing
Writing creatively
Editing

Each student will leave with a better understanding of different essay writing genres and expectations. Students are encouraged to join all days of each session.

Navigating the New Normal: Q & A with Options President Melinda Giampietro
2020-04-22 19:00 - 20:00
FREE Online Webinar: Wednesday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm
Options Solutions has always been committed to building a positive community and providing families with the most up-to-date information about post-secondary admission. We feel the need now, more than ever, to fulfill this mission. With so much unknown, it is hard for families to make decisions about the future. For our grade 11 students, there is a certain precariousness about the normal process of applying to post-secondary institutions: third term activities are canceled, grades are uncertain, and summer jobs/programs/volunteering are all up in the air. At Options, we excel at motivating others, promoting actionable steps, and mining the good. Join our founder, Melinda Giampietro, for an open discussion about the state of post-secondary admission and information about how to help your teen navigate the next few months. With her usual optimism and humour, Melinda will also share practical tips for handling online school and ways to creatively return to extra-curricular activities. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
While this discussion is targeted towards grade 11 parents, all parents are welcome to join our FREE GoToWebinar.
Please register at info@optionssolutionsed.com and provide your name, student’s name, and email address. The day before the event, we will reach out by email with a webinar link.

Kickstart to University Application Writing Workshop
2020-05-02 13:00 - 16:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
This three-hour session introduces Grade 11 students to the
writing components for Canadian applications.
The session will include a presentation that outlines the university application essay genre and provides brainstorming, research, and writing
tips. An interactive simulation will provide students with an understanding of how admissions decisions are made and better prepare them for their own writing tasks. Students will also be given time to brainstorm ideas and engage in practice writing exercises while Options Solutions writing coaches provide one-on-one feedback and guidance. Beginning the application process early will give students the opportunity to make the most productive use of their summer and enter grade 12 with more clarity and direction.
*Please bring a laptop to this session.

Intro to University Level Writing
2020-05-05 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Grade 12 students heading to post-secondary programs in the social sciences, humanities, arts, sciences, and business will be expected to have the skills necessary to write at the university level next year. However, the quarter-system and other alternative school schedules have made it difficult for students to develop and hone these skills.
This course prepares students bound for post-secondary for the challenges of writing for different disciplines at the university level. It discusses strategies for successful research, critical thinking, and writing while giving students a chance to practice these skills and receive individualized feedback. Materials will be provided.
What do students have to say?
“I liked that the instructor provided good examples for us to fully understand what was expected of us and that there was the perfect balance of freedom to pick a topic but enough structure to help actually get started.”
**The session will be interactive and dynamic. Students are encouraged to attendall sessions as each day will build on the next.

Navigating the New Normal (Grade 12's)
2020-05-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Options Solutions has loved being a part of your grade 12 year. We recognize what is traditionally a time for celebration is now a time filled with mixed emotions and uncertainty.With so much unknown, it is hard for families to make decisions about the future. For our grade 12 students, there is a certain precariousness about the normal process of selecting a post-secondary institution, choosing a residence, and exploring courses for the 20-21 academic year. There is even more stress when we consider that summer jobs/programs/volunteering may all be up in the air.

At Options, we excel at motivating others, promoting actionable steps, and mining the good. Join our founder, Melinda Giampietro, for an open discussion about the state of post-secondary admission and information about how to help your teen navigate the next few months. We will explore all the possibilities for fall 2020. With her usual optimism and humour, Melinda will also share practical tips to navigate this non-traditional end to the grade 12 year.There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end. While this discussion is targeted towards grade 12 Options families, please feel free to pass this link on to all grade 12 families you feel may benefit.
Please register here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/500635538384540685

Comments from our Grade 11 presentation:
“Melinda put on a terrific session – very informative with good action items, and being in a bubble, its nice to know what others are doing out with their grade 11 kids. Thank you for hosting it.”
“Thank you Melinda for being there for us. Listening to you speak last night was incredibly helpful and reassuring. You armed us with very practical and useful strategies and tips for not just coping, but on adapting and coming out stronger through a crisis. After we listened to you, we took our kids through a summary of what you talked about- and discussed what we were doing right, and what we could do better.”

ACT/SAT Prep Programs - Mock Exam Sittings
2020-05-24 10:00 - 14:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
Test prep at Options is unique because it combines test preparation with teaching fundamental academic skills. With many years of experience, Options instructors ensure that students understand the higher-level reading, writing and math skills that will prepare them for the ACT and SAT, but will also help them succeed in high school and beyond. Options doesn’t just teach “test-taking tricks” like other test prep organizations. Instead, students receive a strong grounding in how the test works and strategies for attaining a high score, combined with an opportunity to increase their overall academic performance.
This option includes a 4-hour exam, exam marking (including customized essay marking), and a 3-hour debrief. Each student is given a cover sheet to help them understand their successes and their areas needing
improvement. In order to get an accurate estimate of a student’s abilities, we use only officially released ACT and SAT exams. This is the best “bang for your buck” prep wise, and the most crucial element of prep. If the exam
dates do not work for you, please contact the office to pick up a copy of the exam.
Debrief (ACT only) – May 28th, 5-8 pm

ACT/SAT-Weekend Prep
2020-06-06 10:00 - 17:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
These weekend prep sessions are designed to deliver a concentration of exam prep. Each Saturday and Sunday is divided into two sessions from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm. The material used in weekend prep is different from any material used in previous prep sessions.Each Super Weekend is situated before an official ACT or SAT test date and is meant to be a focused weekend of study.
Dates include:
Jun 6
10 am to 1 pm – Math
2 pm to 5 pm – Science

Jun 7
10 am to 1 pm – Essay/Reading
2 pm to 5 pm – English/Grammar

US Admissions Bootcamp
2020-06-23 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-06-25 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-06-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This series of sessions will help students understand and tackle the US admissions
process. The goal of this boot camp is to relieve the stress students feel about the
application process and to kick start the process in June, continuing with group work
sessions throughout the summer. Students will leave the June boot camp with a solid
start to the Common Application and other applications. Students are encouraged to
attend the full series, as each session will be unique and valuable.
Get a jumpstart on your US applications!
Topics covered include:
Comprehensive overview and simulation of the US admissions process
Generating individualized timelines and
accounts
The Common Application
Activities list and data entry
Essay writing
University of California Personal Statements
Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Please bring a laptop to each session and a list of US universities you plan to apply to.

Intro to University Level Writing
2020-07-07 11:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This course prepares university-bound students for the challenges of writing for different disciplines at the post-secondary level. The course will discuss strategies for successful research and writing in the university’s core areas of study: arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, and business. It will also feature a review of grammar essentials and provide opportunities for essay writing practice.
Materials will be provided, but please bring a laptop to each session.
The session will be interactive and dynamic. Students will leave with a clearer understanding of essay writing at the university level and how to apply those skills.
This Course will Cover:
Approaches to research and citation methods
Essay planning and practice
Academic writing styles
Essential grammar

Law School 101
2020-07-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Format, Online
The path to law school requires careful planning, and identifying the “right” school involves consideration of a student’s interests and career aspirations. This two-hour workshop is geared towards students planning to apply to law school. It will cover the following topics:

Career considerations
Becoming a lawyer – the process
Law school options – what different law schools offer
Exploration of courses of study and “fit”
LSAT goals, oversight, and preparation considerations
Law school admission and application assistance

*Options Solutions’ law school advisor Kerry Sheppard will be running this session.

Video Interview Workshop
2020-07-15 10:00 - 13:00
This three-hour session prepares students for the video interview components of university applications.
The session will include a presentation that outlines the main components of video interview requirements, as well as a practical guide for successfully completing those videos. During the session, students will learn how to answer typical interview questions and have the opportunity to tackle some sample questions as a group. They will then practice in pairs and give each other feedback, as well as record their responses for analysis. Programs that require the video interview include commerce at UBC, the University of Toronto, and York University, as well as engineering at the University of Toronto and Waterloo.
The guide covers topics such as:

body language and appearance
technical set-up
coping strategies for nerves
tips on answering prompts

*Students are encouraged to bring recording devices (e.g. smartphone) with them t0 the session
