Welcome to
Westdale Secondary School
Special Programs
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French Immersion
Music Strings
International Baccalaureate
Specialist High Skills Major
• Arts and Culture
• Construction
International Baccalaureate (IB)
• IB is a world-renowned pre-university course
of study offered during the last 2 years of
secondary school
• Prepares highly motivated students for
university, both nationally and
internationally
• See Westdale website for more information
Specialist High Skills Major
• Westdale programs: Arts and Culture
Construction
• Industry recognized designation on diploma
• Bundle of 8 – 10 senior credits
• Sector recognized certification training
• Co-op placements
• Reach ahead experiences at post-secondary
• For all four post secondary destinations
OSSD Requirements
• 30 credits
• 18 Compulsory
• 12 Optional
• 40 hours Community Involvement
• Ontario Secondary School
Literacy Requirement
(OSSLT or OSSLC)
Compulsory Course
Requirements
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4 English (1 at each grade level)
3 Mathematics (1 at senior level)
2 Science
1 French
1 Canadian History
1 Canadian Geography
1 Arts (Visual, Media, Music, Drama)
1 Health and Physical Education
.5 Civics
.5 Career Studies
Compulsory Course
Requirements
• Group 1: One additional credit in English, or French as a
second language,** or a Native language, or a classical or
an international language, or social sciences and the
humanities, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance
and career education, or cooperative education***
• Group 2: One additional credit in health and physical
education, or the arts, or business studies, or French as a
second language,** or cooperative education***
• Group 3: One additional credit in science (Grade 11
or 12), or technological education (Grades 9 – 12), or
French as a second language,** or computer studies, or
cooperative education***
Compulsory Course
Requirements
• **In groups 1, 2, & 3, a maximum of 2 credits
in French as a second language can count as
compulsory credits, one from group 1 & one
from either group 2 or group 3.
• ***A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative
education can count as compulsory credits.
• †The 12 optional credits may include up to
4 credits earned through approved dual
credit courses.
Substitutions for Compulsory
Courses
• Principals may replace up to three courses
with courses from the remainder of those
that meet the compulsory credit
requirements
• Substitutions can be made to promote and
enhance student learning or to meet special
needs
Community Involvement
•Promotes community values and reinforces
importance of volunteerism
•A good way to explore career interests
•Minimum of 40 hours completed before
Graduation, students can start during the
summer following grade 8!
•Guidelines and forms
on website
Ontario Secondary School
Literacy Test
• Administered in March of the Grade 10 year
• Based on expectations for language and
communication up to and including Grade 9
• Accommodations, and deferrals may be
appropriate for some students
• Literacy lunches and after school prep classes
available at Westdale
• Grade 12 Literacy course is available for students
who have been eligible to write OSSLT at least
once and have been unsuccessful
Compulsory Credits in Grade 9
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English
Mathematics
Science
Geography
Health and Physical
Education
• French
Course Types
Grade 9 and 10
Enriched Academic Academic
Applied
Locally
Developed
Open
Course Types: Grades 9 & 10
Applied (P)
• Focus on practical applications using familiar, real-life
situations to illustrate ideas; more opportunities for
hands on applications
• e.g.. Demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of
natural and human systems in Canada’s rural and urban
landscapes.
Academic (D)
• Knowledge and skills developed through theory and
practical applications but EMPHASIS on theory and
abstract thinking as basis for future learning and
problem solving
• e.g.. Analyze the way in which natural systems interact with
human systems and make predictions about the outcomes of
these interactions.
Course Types: Grades 9 & 10
Locally Developed (L)
• emphasize literacy, numeracy and the
acquisition of learning skills.
• special program for students who were not
ready to take Grade 9 Applied or Academic
courses because they are working on modified
or highly accommodated programs at the Grade
8 level and for students who have been placed
in high school.
Course Types: Grades 9 & 10
Enriched Academic (DE)
• Students who are talented in English, Science,
Mathematics.
• Self-motivated and interested in a challenge
• Course content is presented at a much faster
rate than Academic, to allow time for
enrichment activities beyond the scope of the
curriculum.
Course Types
• Enriched Academic courses
• Suited for students identifed with a “gifted”
exceptionality and students pursuing the IB
program.
• Students taking both FI and IB should take
enriched English but may wish to take Math
and Science in French Immersion. FI/IB
students should earn at least 4 FI credits in
grade 9.
Course Types
• Open level courses – An opportunity to
explore an area of interest for all students in
one level
• For example:
• ADA1O1 or PPL1O1
Understanding Course Codes
• ENG1D1, ENG1D1E, ENG1P1, ENG1L1
• Subject Grade Level
Credit Value
• ENG
1
D
1
1=9
D=academic
DE =enriched
P=applied
L=locally dev
O=open
Understanding Course Codes
• ”I” on the end of a course means it is a
French Immersion course.
for example: MPM1D1I
Mixing Course Types
• Students can combine course types
• A student in English stream with strong language skills,
but relatively weaker mathematical skills may choose:
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ENG1D1
MFM1P1
SNC1P1
FSF1D1
CGC1D1
PPL1O1F/M
ADA1O1
TIJ1O1
French Immersion
Grade 9 Program
• Immersion certificate requires a minimum
of 10 French Immersion credits, with three
courses at the senior level. There are four
required Francais courses which are only
offered at the academic/university level:
FIF1D1I, FIF2D1I, FIF3U1I, FIF4U1I
+
• Students must earn 6 additional French
Immersion credits.
French Immersion Courses
GRADE 9
GRADE 10
FIF1D1I
MPM1D1I
SNC1D1I
CGC1D1I
ADA1O1I
AVI2O1I
FIF2D1I
MPM2D1I
SNC2D1I
CHC2D1I
AVI2O1I
CHV/GLCI
GRADE 11
GRADE 12
FIF3U1I
FIF4U1I
BDI3C1I
EAC4U1I
HSP3U1I/3C1 COOP
COOP
GPP3O1I
PPL3O1I
Note some FI courses are only offered at the
academic/university level. If the student needs the
applied level they should take that course in English.
Mixing Course Types
• French Immersion students do not have to take all subjects
in French. Sample choices of a student with strong
language skills, but relatively weaker mathematical skills:
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ENG1D1
MFM1P1
SNC1P1
FIF1D1I
CGC1D1I
PPL1O1F/M
ADA1O1I
AVI2O1I
Choosing Course Types
•Grade 8 teacher recommendation on
option sheet
•Grade 8 marks, report card comments
•Work habits
•Self assessment – match ability with
interests and aptitudes
Choosing Compulsory Courses
Switching Course Types
• Changes from Applied to Academic between
Grade 9 and 10 are possible with a teacher
recommendation.
• Transfer course through summer school is
required to go from grade 9 Applied Math to
grade 10 Academic Math
Elective Credits in Grade 9
Choose two courses from:
Dramatic Arts – offered in English and F.I.
Exploring Family Studies
Exploring Technologies
Information & Communication Technology in Business
Introductory Latin ( will need gr 9 to take gr 10)*
Music ( will need gr 9 to take gr 10)*
Music Strings ( will need gr 9 to take gr 10)*
Music Strings for beginners
Visual Arts - offered in English and F.I.
Elective Credits
• Band or Orchestra program
• Runs before school/ lunch
• Students earn 9 credits
AMU1O1 plus AMR1O1 - Band
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AMS1O1 (Strings) plus AMO1O1 - Orchestra
Choosing Elective Courses
High School Format
• 2 Semesters: September to January and
February to June
• 4 courses each semester (first 4 in Semester 1
and remaining 4 in semester 2)
• Examinations and/or culminating activities at
the end of each semester
• 4 classes per day
• Each class is 75 minutes long
A Sampling of Sports at Westdale
Fall Sports
_____Winter Sports
Spring Sports
Cross country
Boys Basketball
Junior Football
Boys Volleyball
Girls Volleyball
Rowing
Senior Football
Rowing
Boys Baseball
Field Hockey
Indoor Soccer
Girls Slo Pitch
Girls Basketball
Alpine Skiing
Soccer
Girls Touch Football
Badminton
Rugby
Athletic Council
Hockey
Tennis
Indoor Track
Golf
Waterpolo
Track & Field
Cricket
Ultimate Frisbee
Boys Touch Football
Midget Basketball
A Sampling of Activities and Clubs
at Westdale
Announcement crew
Math Club
Chess Club
Model U.N.
Community Garden
Orchestra
Debating Team
Public Speaking
Diversity Show
Reach for the top
Environmental Club
Recycling Club
Grad Council
Robotics Club
Dance Team
Senior Jazz Band
History Club
Skilled trades competition
Improv Club
Stage Crew
Jazz Quartet
Students Bridging Borders
Knitting Club
Tea Club
Latin Club
Theatre Westdale
LeRaconteur (Yearbook)
Triune (Student Council)
Tips for Grade 9 Students
• A successful grade 9 year is the most
important goal!
• Statistics show students who do not have a
successful grade 9 year are at risk of leaving
high school without a diploma!
Keys to Success – Start Now!
• Lay the groundwork now in Grade 8
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Establish regular, nightly homework routines
Meet assignment deadlines
Attend on a daily basis and be on time
Come to school with a positive attitude and
be ready to learn!