1. What you can appeal

• A final course mark, or the evaluation of a final examination or culminating task.
• A penalty applied under the Academic Integrity and Anti-Plagiarism Policy.
• A decision on a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition or Mature Student Assessment application, or on a prerequisite waiver.
• A decision about the student's status in a session following disengagement.
• A disciplinary decision under the Code of Conduct and Safe Schools Policy or the Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy.
• A decision refusing or limiting an accommodation under the Accommodation and Human Rights Policy.

Individual formative tasks and day to day quizzes are normally addressed with the teacher rather than through a formal appeal, unless they materially affect the final mark.

2. Step 1: raise it with the assigned teacher

Most matters are resolved here. Send a message to your assigned teacher through the student portal, setting out what you are questioning and why, with reference to the task instructions or the rubric.

• Raise it within five school days of receiving the mark or the decision.
• The teacher responds within three school days.
• The teacher reviews the work, gives further feedback, and where the review shows the mark or decision should change, changes it and records the reason.

3. Step 2: written appeal to the Principal

If the matter is not resolved, the student, or the parent or guardian of a student under 18, submits it in writing to the Principal through the portal or by email, within five school days of the teacher's response.

The appeal should state:

• The decision or mark being appealed.
• The steps already taken with the teacher, and what the teacher said.
• The outcome sought, and why, supported by evidence such as the task instructions, the rubric, medical documentation or portal submission records.

The Principal acknowledges the appeal within two school days.

4. How the review is carried out

The Principal conducts an objective review, which may involve any of the following.

• Reviewing the student's submitted work against the rubric and the curriculum expectations.
• Examining the portal records and timestamps.
• Consulting the teacher, and where appropriate seeking a second professional opinion from another Ontario Certified Teacher who holds the subject qualification.
• Meeting the student and, for a student under 18, the parent or guardian, online or at the Vaughan campus.

5. The outcome

The Principal responds in writing, with reasons, normally within ten school days of receiving the appeal. The Principal may uphold the original decision, change the mark or the decision, or allow the student to complete or resubmit work on stated conditions.

6. Non academic disputes

A dispute about fees or refunds is dealt with under the Financial and Refund Policy, and a technical problem with the platform should go to the school office. Both may be brought to the Principal if they are not resolved.

An allegation of harassment, bullying or discrimination goes straight to the Principal and is not raised with the teacher first.

7. Records

Every stage is documented and the outcome is filed in the student's Ontario Student Record. A student is never disadvantaged for raising a concern in good faith.