ACElinks Academic Upgrading Program

Overview and Entry Requirements

The ACElinks program is an off-campus location for the Algonquin College Academic Upgrading Program offered at the main office of the John Howard Society of Ottawa at 401 Bell St. South (corner of Carling Ave., two blocks west of Bronson Ave.). ACElinks employs Algonquin College teachers and uses the same texts and tests as the program offered at the Algonquin College main campus. However, ACElinks is a smaller location with greater flexibility to accommodate clients who are dealing with multiple personal and learning issues.

ACE Certificate

Many students in the ACElinks program are working towards their ACE Certificate which is a high school equivalency diploma used for entrance into Community College (i.e. Algonquin College), apprenticeships or employment. It is similar to a G.E.D. For job applications that ask for a high school diploma or equivalent, the ACE Certificate is the equivalent.

Program Options

Courses are offered in English, Math, Computer Skills and Success Strategies through the ACElinks Academic Upgrading Program. Two additional courses, Biology and Chemistry, are offered through the Evening Program at the Algonquin College Main Campus site for Academic Upgrading or through the online ACE Distance program. There is also a Prep for Health Sciences program (PHS) that is useful for meeting the prerequisites for healthcare programs at the College.
The particular combination of courses that students take depends on their goals. The options are:

A. ACE Certificate (Grade 12 equivalency diploma) – consists of six course

Five mandatory courses:

  • 2 English
  • Math – Fundamental Math and Intermediate Math
  • Computer Skills

One additional course in either Math, Biology, Chemistry or Success Strategies*

*Note: Success Strategies covers career exploration, study skills, team work and a variety of other topics designed to assist students in making a successful transition to post-secondary studies

B. Grade 12 English Equivalency – consists of three courses

  • 2 English
  • Computer Skills

C. Grade 12 Math Equivalency – consists of three or four math courses (depending on the prerequisites required for the student’s post-secondary program)

D. Customized Program

Students are free to take courses to meet their personal goals.

Completion Time

Enrollment is ongoing throughout the year. Depending on whether a student takes 1, 2 or 3 courses at a time, completion can take anywhere from 7 months to 1.5 years (or longer if something interrupts the student’s studies). There are deadlines for completing modules and courses but students may work more quickly, if they wish.

Entrance Requirements

In order to enter the ACElinks program, students need to write an English entrance assessment, called the Accuplacer, showing that their skills are at least at a grade 9 level. The assessment can be done in person at the John Howard Society and can be booked through Angela, when the student is ready.
If a student’s Accuplacer scores do not meet the cut-off, he/she can work in the Skills Plus education program (also offered at the John Howard Society office) to upgrade his/her English skills in preparation for rewriting the assessment for ACElinks. Alternatively, the student can be referred to the Academic Upgrading program at the Algonquin College main campus where earlier levels of the Communications courses are available.

Schedule

Classes are available in-class and remotely (over Zoom) at times shown below. We ask students to aim to attend at least half of their classes in-person. Teachers are also available through email and phone calls for assistance.

 

Contact Information for Registration in ACElinks
Angela McCanny – Facilitator/Transition Coach
613 789-7418 ext. 230 or 613 413-1388
amccanny@jhsottawa.ca