Aurora Polytechnic Admissions for NWT Homeschoolers: What You Need

Aurora College, which is transitioning toward a polytechnic university, is the primary post-secondary institution for NWT residents. For homeschooled students whose education does not fit neatly into a transcript from a recognized high school, applying to Aurora College requires understanding which admissions pathway applies and what documentation supports it.

The short version: Aurora College has multiple admissions routes, but the documentation you need depends on the route and program you are applying for.

The NWT Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma Pathway

The most straightforward route for homeschooled students is completing the NWT Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma pathway and applying as a diploma-holding graduate. For students following the legacy pathway, this means 100 credits across the required distribution — including Language Arts (15 cr), Mathematics (10 cr), Science (10 cr), Social Studies (10 cr), Northern Studies (5 cr), and CALM (3 cr), with the remaining credits allocated according to that pathway — and 25 documented hours of community service. Students entering Grade 10 under the newer NWT Graduation Program follow its 80-credit requirements.

For homeschooled students, the diploma is awarded based on the applicable credit requirements, but the process for earning and documenting those credits runs through your DEA and principal, not a school-issued report card. Your principal records credits that have been earned and validated through the home schooling program. When you complete all requirements, the DEA can issue an official transcript confirming the diploma.

Aurora College considers the NWT Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma for programs that list it as an admission credential. Your official transcript from the DEA is the credential document, but check the current requirements for the specific program because additional requirements may apply.

The documentation work that matters here is the ongoing credits tracking throughout high school. Every credit needs to be recorded as it is completed. A well-maintained homeschool portfolio with a running transcript page, updated each year, means your DEA can produce an accurate official transcript quickly when you need it for application. Reconstructing four years of credits from memory in Grade 12 is messy and sometimes results in missing credits that were genuinely completed but not documented.

Mature Student Entry

Students who do not hold a high school diploma may be eligible for a mature-student or other non-traditional admission pathway, depending on the program's requirements.

For homeschooled students who did not complete a formal diploma, this may be an option for programs that offer it. Confirm eligibility and requirements with Aurora College admissions.

The process and any assessments or supporting statements vary by program. Aurora College admissions can explain what readiness evidence is required.

If your homeschool documentation covers your learning history — even informally — bringing it to an admissions conversation may help give staff context. A binder showing self-directed learning, land-based skills, community involvement, and subject study is more useful than arriving without supporting records.

Portfolio-Based Admissions for Specific Programs

Some Aurora College programs may consider portfolio or experiential evidence as part of their program-specific admission process. Requirements vary by program and intake year, so the current program guide on the Aurora College website is your most accurate source.

Where a program asks for portfolio or experiential evidence, a homeschool portfolio built around the relevant skills and knowledge areas may be useful application material. Organize documentation around what that program requests.

This is one area where the way you have built and maintained your homeschool documentation makes a concrete difference to your post-secondary options. A portfolio that describes experiential learning in clear, professional language — with dates, contexts, and outcomes described — is an admissions asset. One that is a pile of undated worksheets is not.

Academic Upgrading as a Bridge

Aurora College's academic-upgrading offerings may allow students to complete senior-level courses or address missing prerequisites. Availability, delivery, and campus or distance options vary by program and intake. These courses are useful for:

• Homeschooled students who completed most diploma requirements but are missing specific Grade 12 math or sciences needed for a technical program
• Students who want external credential validation before applying to competitive programs
• Students who did not complete a diploma and want a more direct pathway to certificate or degree admission than mature student entry

For homeschoolers in remote communities, confirm whether the relevant upgrading course is available by distance before planning around it.

What to Prepare Before Applying

Regardless of which pathway you use, gathering your documentation before contacting Aurora College admissions saves time:

For diploma pathway: Your official NWT transcript from your DEA showing completed credits. If this is not yet produced, ask your DEA office how to request it. Allow processing time.

For mature student entry: Your identification, a brief written statement about your educational background and goals, and any supporting documents that demonstrate relevant learning or work experience.

For portfolio programs: A curated selection of work demonstrating skills relevant to the program, organized chronologically or by skill area, with clear labeling of what each item shows.

For all pathways: If you have done any formal coursework outside your home schooling — distance learning, community programs, workplace training — gather certificates or completion records for those as well.

Aurora College's admissions office can advise on which pathway fits your specific situation. Ask which records and assessments the program requires for your educational background.

The NWT Portfolio & Assessment Templates include a credits tracking log and a transcript template designed to help organize the academic record NWT post-secondary institutions, including Aurora College, may request from homeschooled applicants.

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