Succeed
    Shad Virtual Program
    Online Program

    Shad Virtual Program

    by Shad Canada

    Shad Virtual combines hands-on STEAM learning, entrepreneurship and collaborative design challenges in a live digital community supported by Athabasca University.

    Last verified: 8 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Shad Virtual Program at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Grades 10-11; English proficiency

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-17

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $3,975; $6,750

    Duration

    4 weeks; 20 program days

    Format

    Online

    Application deadline

    8 November 2026

    Save deadline
    ScienceTechnologyEngineeringArtMathematicsEntrepreneurship
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday, 11 am-5 pm ET
    Mentor model: Minimum 1:7 mentor-to-student ratio
    Main deliverable / output: Design and Entrepreneurship Team Project
    Latest verified cycle: 2027
    Credential opportunities: Athabasca University credentials
    Program kit: Approximately 35 items mailed home

    Shad Virtual Program summary

    Shad Virtual combines STEAM exploration with entrepreneurship, leadership and community building. Athabasca University supports its interactive digital learning experience.

    Expect expert-led workshops, collaborative challenges and a team design project rather than passive video lessons. It suits curious students who enjoy working with others and testing ideas against real-world problems.

    What is Shad Virtual Program?

    Shad Virtual Program is Shad Canada's digital pathway for hands-on STEAM learning, entrepreneurship and leadership development. Supported by Athabasca University, it brings students together for live sessions, collaborative projects and community activities.

    Learning connects science, technology, arts and business with real-world challenges. Students meet expert speakers, use a mailed activity kit and work together on a facilitated design-entrepreneurship project.

    Why Succeed highlights Shad Virtual Program

    • The collaborative design-entrepreneurship project gives broad STEAM exploration a practical focus.

    • A mailed kit of approximately 35 items supports hands-on learning beyond the screen.

    • Program Director and near-peer coaching, with a minimum 1:7 mentor-to-student ratio, provides a concrete support model.

    • Athabasca University's involvement adds established distance-learning expertise.

    Who is Shad Virtual Program for?

    Best for

    Curious students who want to explore several STEAM interests through teamwork, practical activities and entrepreneurship.

    Not ideal if

    You need self-paced learning or a narrowly focused subject course, because Shad emphasizes live participation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

    Is Shad Virtual Program worth it?

    Shad Virtual is a strong option if you want supported exploration rather than a single-subject course. Its expert sessions, hands-on kit and team project give you several ways to test interests and practice collaboration.

    The main trade-off is the substantial live daytime commitment and program fee. Compare it with a focused course if depth in one discipline matters most, and assess your family's funding eligibility before committing.

    Sean, founder of Succeed

    Sean

    Founder, Succeed

    Talk it through with Sean

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,975; $6,750; includes Approximately 35-item program kit delivered home., Lectures by post-secondary professors., Seminars led by researchers, business leaders and entrepreneurs., Hands-on workshops with industry experts, including Texas Instruments., Program Director and near-peer mentoring and coaching., Minimum 1:7 mentor-to-student ratio., Indigenous Knowledge Learning Opportunities., Leadership and community-building initiatives., Design & Entrepreneurship Team Project., Virtual enrichment field trips..

    Dates and time commitment

    4 weeks; 20 program days; Monday-Friday, 11 am-5 pm ET.

    Provider details

    Review the Shad Canada provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main practical output is a collaborative Design & Entrepreneurship Team Project.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    The Program Director and near-peer tutors provide mentoring and coaching, with a minimum 1:7 mentor-to-student ratio. Professors, researchers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and industry experts contribute to learning activities.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Shad Virtual Program need?

    Effort level

    High during the program; substantial application preparation.

    Best started

    Four to six weeks before your chosen early or final application deadline.

    Main challenge

    Writing specific, authentic reflections while coordinating a reference.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose two meaningful experiences that show initiative, leadership or personal growth.

    • Draft each of the four reflections within the 100-250-word limit.

    • Ask your reference early and collect your most recent report card.

    • Confirm your computer, internet connection and platform access before the program begins.

    Useful if

    You can protect the daytime schedule and enjoy contributing to group work.

    What do students do on Shad Virtual Program?

    You join a live digital community for expert-led learning, hands-on activities and collaborative problem-solving. The central team project connects design and entrepreneurship with a real-world challenge.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Log into your assigned program accounts and participate in live sessions.

    2. 2

      Explore STEAM ideas through lectures, seminars and practical workshops.

    3. 3

      Use the mailed kit for hands-on activities.

    4. 4

      Collaborate with your design-entrepreneurship project team.

    5. 5

      Contribute to community-building activities, committees and group events.

    6. 6

      Take movement and nutrition breaks between activities.

    Shad Virtual Program dates and deadlines

    Application deadline

    8 November 2026

    Final consideration; 11:59 pm ET.

    Upcoming
    Save deadline

    Shad Virtual 2026

    6-31 July 2026

    Reference cohort for the participant completion guidance.

    Past

    Shad Virtual 2027

    5-30 July 2027

    Monday-Friday, 11 am-5 pm ET; 20 program days.

    Upcoming

    Applications open

    September 2026

    The opening month is published without a specific day.

    Past

    Early admission results

    First week of December 2026

    Financial assistance decisions accompany admission decisions.

    Date not confirmed

    Final admission results

    First week of February 2027

    Financial assistance decisions accompany admission decisions.

    Date not confirmed

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Currently completing Grade 10 or 11.

    • Quebec equivalent: Secondaire IV or V.

    • Proficient in spoken and written English.

    • Domestic and international applicants may apply.

    • No school nomination is required.

    • No minimum academic average cutoff applies.

    How much does Shad Virtual Program cost?

    Domestic program fee

    $3,975 — CAD; 2027 Virtual program.

    Funding or discounts

    • International program fee: $6,750 — CAD; applies without Canadian citizenship, permanent residence or official refugee status.
    • Application fee: Free
    • Deposit: $750 — CAD; paid after an offer toward the program fee.
    • Remaining balance: Two installments
    • Scholarships: Full and partial — Domestic applicants apply within the Shad application; eligibility varies.
    • Bursaries and assistance: Needs-based support — Domestic applicants can request confidential support; bursaries do not require repayment.

    What's included

    Approximately 35-item program kit delivered home., Lectures by post-secondary professors., Seminars led by researchers, business leaders and entrepreneurs., Hands-on workshops with industry experts, including Texas Instruments., Program Director and near-peer mentoring and coaching., Minimum 1:7 mentor-to-student ratio., Indigenous Knowledge Learning Opportunities., Leadership and community-building initiatives., Design & Entrepreneurship Team Project., Virtual enrichment field trips.

    How to apply to Shad Virtual Program

    1. 1

      Create an account or sign into the official Shad 2027 application portal.

    2. 2

      Select the Virtual program among the formats you want to apply for.

    3. 3

      Complete your personal profile and describe two meaningful experiences.

    4. 4

      Answer four reflection questions in 100-250 words each.

    5. 5

      Upload your most recent report card.

    6. 6

      Provide your reference's name and email so they can submit the confidential form.

    7. 7

      Request financial support if eligible and complete any additional scholarship essay.

    8. 8

      Proofread, save your work and submit the completed application.

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    Learning format

    The 2027 program runs live Monday-Friday, 11 am-5 pm ET, across four weeks and 20 program days. Interactive workshops, expert sessions, collaborative projects and movement breaks use Google, Miro, SchoolSpace and Zoom, with evenings reserved for your own activities.

    Athabasca University supports the digital learning experience.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Program Director and near-peer tutors provide mentoring and coaching.

    • The Virtual program has a minimum 1:7 mentor-to-student ratio.

    • Professors, researchers, business leaders and entrepreneurs contribute expert sessions.

    • A facilitated group project supports collaborative design and entrepreneurship.

    • Participants can request support and accommodations before the program begins.

    Time-zone considerations

    • The 2027 live schedule is Monday-Friday, 11 am-5 pm ET.
    • Convert the Eastern Time window to your local time before committing.
    • Evenings are reserved for your own activities.
    • Participants outside Canada must confirm access to all core platforms.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer or laptop; smartphones, tablets, iPads and Chromebooks are inadequate.

    • Have a functioning microphone, webcam and speakers or headphones.

    • Use stable Ethernet or WiFi; at least 5 Mbps download speed is strongly recommended.

    • Confirm access to Google, Miro, SchoolSpace and Zoom using assigned accounts.

    • Choose a quiet workspace where possible and mute device notifications.

    Assessment style

    The 2026 completion model emphasizes active participation, team-project engagement and small-group attendance.

    • Participants are expected to contribute actively to small-group sessions.
    • Design-entrepreneurship teamwork is a central participation expectation.
    • The 2026 certificate criteria require at least 80% small-group attendance.
    • Participants facing attendance challenges should contact a team member early.

    Portfolio and outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main practical output is a collaborative Design & Entrepreneurship Team Project.

    • Virtual participants can pursue Athabasca University credentials.

    • Successful completion connects participants with the Shad alumni community.

    • The 2026 completion criteria include earning a Shad certificate.

    Shad Virtual Program FAQs

    It combines hands-on STEAM learning, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship. Activities include workshops, expert speakers and a collaborative Design & Entrepreneurship Team Project.

    The 2027 schedule is Monday through Friday, 11 am to 5 pm ET, for four weeks. Evenings are reserved for your own activities.

    The Program Director and near-peer tutors provide mentoring and coaching, with a minimum 1:7 mentor-to-student ratio. Professors, researchers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and industry experts contribute to learning activities.

    International applicants can apply. Participants outside Canada must confirm that Google Tools for Education, Miro, SchoolSpace and Zoom are accessible in their country.

    A computer or laptop, microphone, webcam and speakers or headphones are required. Smartphones, tablets, iPads and Chromebooks are inadequate; stable Ethernet or WiFi is required, with at least 5 Mbps download speed strongly recommended.

    Domestic applicants can seek scholarships and fee assistance through the application. Bursaries do not need to be repaid, while international applicants are ineligible for Shad financial assistance and scholarships.

    Virtual participants have the opportunity to complete Athabasca University credentials. Shad may also count toward specified provincial high school credits, Ontario SHSM experiences or IB CAS requirements, depending on your pathway.

    Contact Shad Canada early at info@shad.ca to discuss participation accommodations. Application accommodations can also be requested, including materials in an alternate format.

    Alternatives to Shad Virtual Program

    Compare these online options if you want a broader academic choice or a more focused STEAM subject.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Shad 2027 Application
    • Application Summary - Shad Canada
    • Support - Shad Canada
    • Scholarships - Shad Canada
    • Participate
    • Programs
    • Apply
    • Shad_2027_Trifold_Digital
    • Shad's virtual program experience
    • Virtual

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 8 Oct 2026)

    • Virtual track details checked

    • Application deadlines checked

    • Eligibility and language reviewed

    • Domestic and international fees checked

    • Funding restrictions reviewed

    • Live schedule and technology reviewed

    • Historical completion criteria distinguished

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.