Academic Upgrading

NorQuest College is a recognized leader in academic upgrading. We have provided upgrading and foundational training in Edmonton for nearly 40 years, and have prepared thousands of students to progress to further education or pursue more rewarding livelihoods. Whether it's improving high school marks to gain acceptance to the post-secondary program of your choice at NorQuest or another institution, supporting your return to academics to pursue a new career, or improving your literacy and foundational skills for work and life, NorQuest can get you where you need to go in our friendly, mature, and student-oriented environment.

NorQuest is an accredited high school as well as a comprehensive community institution, offering Alberta Education high school credit courses and equivalency courses. Successful completion will allow you to move forward to pursue your goals.

NorQuest's highly qualified and experienced staff will support you in achieving your specific goals by designing an individual learning plan to meet your particular needs as quickly as possible, ensuring that you understand your learning path, and providing student services and supports along the way if you require them.

Academic UpgradingFull-time, Part-time, Online, Varies, Full or part-time

NorQuest College operates as an accredited high school and offers courses that follow the Alberta Education curriculum. These courses prepare you to continue on to study at NorQuest or other post-secondary institutions in Alberta and across Canada.

You can choose to upgrade only the courses you need for post-secondary entrance or you can earn a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED).

Foundations for LearningOnline

NorQuest College has partnered with the Community Adult Learning Program (CALP) to offer high school and college preparatory programming, as well as English language training, in communities around Alberta. Foundations for Learning includes a range of 12-week online courses to rural learners at a reduced tuition rate. Each course is approximately 45 hours of instructor-led activities presented in an online real-time or online anytime delivery format. In addition, 30 hours of in-person tutorial support are available to you for free in your community at the local CALP provider.

Upgrading for ESL YouthFull-time

Effective academic year 2019/2020, the Youth in Transition program is now called Upgrading for ESL Youth.

This full-time program is designed to increase academic and personal communication skills for English as a second language (ESL) youth, ages 17–25. By focusing on language skills as well as upgrading academic skills, you will be better prepared to enrol in further post-secondary programs. The small class sizes and the ability to work with a group of your peers in a supportive, academic environment ensures that you will receive the maximum amount of individualized support and success.

Anatomy and Physiology IFull-time, Distance, Open Studies, Online
Study the organization of the human body and the structures and functions of the body systems that provide support and movement, coordination, and regulation. Learn how body systems work together to maintain homeostasis. Terminology used by health professionals will be introduced. In the Practical Nurse program, a final mark of C- is required to progress to PATH 1000.
Anatomy and Physiology IIFull-time, Distance, Open Studies, Online
Study the organization of the human body and the structures and functions of the body systems that provide transport and protection; absorption, diffusion, and excretion; and reproduction. Learn how body systems work together to maintain homeostasis. Terminology used by health professionals and theory and principles related to microbiology will be introduced. In the Practical Nurse program, a final mark of C- is required to progress to PATH 1000.
ESL Intermediate Listening and Speaking FoundationsOnline
Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format will help English language learners improve their listening and speaking skills. In this class, the students will gain confidence and competency in listening and speaking through the use of high-interest content. Intermediate-level grammar vocabulary and pronunciation strategies will be taught.
ESL Intermediate Reading and Writing FoundationsOnline
Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format will help English language learners improve their reading and writing skills. In this class, the students will gain confidence and competency in reading and writing through the use of high-interest content. Intermediate-level grammar points and vocabulary will be taught.
Essential Mathematics FoundationsOnline
Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to study mathematics concepts related to whole numbers. Topics include whole number addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and place value. Successful completion of this course allows students to progress to Pre-Algebra.
GED Preparation FoundationsOnline
Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to learn strategies to prepare for writing the GED exam. Students focus on developing and improving their writing, reading, science, social studies, and math skills. Students also practise various GED assessment tests to help them feel more comfortable in a timed testing environment.
High School Math Prep FoundationsOnline
Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to study the basic algebra skills required for high school mathematics courses. Topics include number systems, rational numbers, algebraic expressions and equations, problem solving, exponent laws, geometry and measurement. Successful completion of this course allows students to progress to Math 10C.
Pre-Algebra FoundationsOnline
Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to develop the mathematics skills they need for algebra-based courses. Topics include operations with whole numbers (including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and place value) as well as more advanced topics (including integers, signed fractions and decimals, ratios, proportions, and measurement). This course prepares students for further math studies in Apprenticeship , GED, and High School Math Preparation.
Prep for Practical Nurse Math FoundationsOnline
Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format assists students to prepare for entry into health-related diploma programs. Students focus on developing the math skills they need to be successful in the PN program and the health-care workplace.  Successful completion of the course gives students the mathematics prerequisite needed for entry into the Practical Nurse Diploma program at NorQuest College.
Pre-Trades Math and Science Preparation FoundationsOnline
Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to focus on developing the math and science skills they need to pass the apprenticeship exam. Students will also practise simulated trade exams to help them feel more comfortable in a timed testing environment.
Social Studies 30-1
Examine theories of politics and economics in democracy, socialism, capitalism, and fascism. Study European history since 1919 and the influence of Europe on the rest of the world. Research current affairs. Prepare to write the provincial diploma examination.
Social Studies 30-2
Write essays providing specific examples that support generalizations and explain issues. Use news magazines to access information about current affairs. Prepare to write the provincial diploma examination.