The University Transition Program

Infobox Education in Canada
name= University Transition Program
city= Vancouver
province= British Columbia
schoolboard= School District 39 Vancouver
schooltype= Early college entrance program
grades= 11-12
mascot=
language= English
area= Vancouver, British Columbia

The University Transition Program, often called the Transition Program or simply Trans, is an early college entrance program that is based in the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Each year, the program accepts only 20 new students, aged 13 to 15, out of about 200 applicants, so rigorous testing must be done to select and accept candidates. Over the course of two years, students aim to complete the required high school courses, along with some university level coursework. When they graduate from the program, the students usually get accepted into UBC early. The program was first established in 1993 by the Vancouver School Board and the University of British Columbia. Students of the program have access to most UBC facilities as well as possess University ID Cards.

Courses

In the first year of the program, students take Biology 12, English 10 & 11, Math 10 & 11, Physics 11, Chemistry 11, Humanities, Planning 10 and Civics 11.

In year two, the students take AP Calculus 12, Chemistry 12, English 12, History 12, Literature 12, Math 12, Physics 12, and Civics 11.

Transition students currently have four courses taught by UBC professors, which are Physics, English, Civics, and Calculus/Math by Dr. Chris Waltham, Dr. J. Brown, Dr. E. Nellis, and Dr. Michael Ward, respectively.

Students in both years are required to complete 30 hours of community service, and complete an 'e-Portfolio' for his or her Individual Educational Planning. An extra course known as "Self and Society" accounts for the Planning 10 credit, and is taught by the coordinator.

Occasionally during school hours all students would be called in for a Town Hall meeting, which discusses current events, future events, and recent happenings.

Extracurricular Activities

The Transition Program is currently a strong competitor in Reach for the Top as well as Model United Nations. Transition students have participated in local science fairs, through which some students have entered the nationals. Involvement with other extra-curricular activities is highly encouraged by teachers and staff.

Location

The Transition Program is located in the heart of UBC, on 240D 1924 West Mall. The building that the Transition Program resides in is the Auditorium Annex, located on West Mall above the Math Graduates office, near the Pacific Institute of Mathematical Sciences building. This location is troublesome for Transition students as the math graduates who work in the offices directly below Transition often complain about the noise level; as a result, Transition students are required to be quiet to avoid complaints to the Dean of UBC.

Interestingly, the teachers of the program have offered a solution to the noise problem by having the Transition students knit slippers, reducing noise caused by heavy footwear.

Global Citizenship Program

The Global Citizenship Program was first started in the summer of 2007. It involved exchange students from George Abbot School, in Guildford, England. They were hosted by students of the Transition Program, and select students from Vancouver high schools. Students who were not hosting were also invited to the model UN conference sessions, but they did not participate in the events designed to familiarize the British with Vancouver culture. In the summer of 2008, a return group from the Transition group was organized. As before, students not in the Transition Program were allowed to enter. It was known as the UK-France exchange trip. The group was chaperoned by the Transition program coordinator, Daria Danylchuck, one of the teachers, Dave Coopersmith, and his wife, Valerie Coopersmith. It was to spend two weeks in England, before going to France. The French part of the trip was known as Mr. Coopersmith’s Canadian World War Battlefields Tour, after the teacher who helped organize it, and was formed by Expedia. After three days in Paris, the group went to the north of France and Belgium, to visit some of the battlefield sites, memorials, and cemeteries of World War I and II. Some of the most notable names visited were Vimy Ridge, Passchendale, in Belgium, and the five beaches stormed by Allied troops on D-Day.

Criticism

Some students and parents worry about their social life during the program. Because of the heavy load of work in the program, students will not nearly have enough time to socialize and bond with one another and outside individuals. This poses a serious problem, as social skills are required for university, job situations, and beyond.

Students of the program previously were not able to get the Dogwood Diploma, but as of the2006-2007 school year they are now eligible to get them upon graduation, thus able to officially graduate from high school.

Achievements

The Transition Program is the winner of the 2008 Grades 8 and 9 MathChallengers as well as the BC's Brightest Minds competition.

Reach for the Top

Transition has won a Reach for the Top Junior Championship in 2003.

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Daria Danylchuck is the program coordinator.

*David Coopersmith teaches Biology, Chemistry, History, and Physical Education.
*John Martin teaches Mathematics and Physics.
*Jamie Zagoudakis teaches English, Humanities, and Literature.