PUGWASH DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION 2014-15
HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION CERTIFICATE




1. Senior High students require:
18 credits to obtain a high school completion certificate.
No more than seven of the eighteen credits can be grade ten level courses.
At least five credits must be grade twelve level courses.
Compulsory credits:
Three English (one at each grade level)
Two Math
Two Science, (one from SCI 10, Chemistry, Physics or Biology, and one other
approved
Science course)
Canadian History 11, plus one Global Studies (Global History or Global Geography)
One Fine Arts (Music, Art,)
One Physical Education credit
Two other credits from Technology, Mathematics, or Science.
CREDIT
Each course offered at PDHS is recognized as one credit except Career Development 11 and
Workplace Safety 11 which are ½ credit courses. No student shall receive credit towards a high
school completion certificate for two courses in the same subject at the same grade level with the
exception of Grade 12 Advanced Math, Pre-calculus 12 and Calculus 12, all of which will count
as credits.
CREDIT TYPES - Each course is categorized as one of the following credit types:
academic: These courses are designed for students who expect to enter college, university, or other postsecondary institutions.
advanced: These courses are designed to meet the needs of students who have demonstrated an
exceptional degree of academic ability or achievement.
foundation: These courses are designed for students who wish to obtain a graduation diploma with a
view to proceeding to employment or some selected area of post-secondary study.
open: Although none of these courses are designed to meet the specific entrance requirements of
university, individual courses may meet entrance requirements of some institutions. Many of these
courses satisfy community college and some private trade schools entrance requirements.
graduation/essential: These courses are designed to meet the needs of students in obtaining their
High School diploma. They are usually not considered as meeting University entrance
requirements.
Students should note opportunities for credits are possible through "Challenge for Credit",
"Independent Study" or, Virtual High School” options.
The Nova Scotia Public Schools Program allows provision for challenge for credit and independent study
credits. Any student wishing to pursue these options should contact the Guidance office for further
information.
OPTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM (O2)
O2 is a program designed for students entering Senior High. Options and Opportunities (O2)
offers students a more hands-on learning experience. It's designed to help them make successful
transitions from high school to work, a career path, or a post-secondary program. Students
interested in O2 will have to fill out an application and be interviewed.
CO-OP PROGRAM
Non-O2 students may in grade 12 enroll in a Co-Op Course as one of their course selections.
They must complete an application which is available at the Guidance Office. The Co-Op
placement requires the student to complete a 25 hour in-school component and 100 hours of work
placement. The student is responsible for finding their co-op placement.
PUGWASH DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
O2 students work with their O2 teacher for their Co-Op placements.
Some GRADE 12 students may complete their graduation requirements by the end of
Semester 1. They may choose to return for Semester 2, taking 4 courses or may choose to
work/travel before graduating in June.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO SELECT THE COURSES
NEEDED TO GRADUATE AND GO ON IN A CHOSEN FIELD OF STUDY. IF YOU
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT COURSES OR IF YOU REQUIRE A DESCRIPTION
OF A COURSE PLEASE SEE YOUR HOMEROOM TEACHER OR THE GUIDANCE
COUNSELLOR.
NOVA SCOTIA VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL
The following courses may be available on the internet:
1st Semester
Art 10
Adv. Bio 11
Chemistry 11
Adv. Chem 11
Entrepreneurship 12 Adv. Global Geography 12
Film & Video 12
Biology 11
Geology 12
African Can. Studies 11
Global Geography 12 Fitness Leadership 11
Advanced Math 12 Global Politics 12
Pre Calculus 12
Math 12
Oceans 11
Workplace Health & Safety 11
Physics 12
Sociology 12
Tourism 11
Adv. English 12
2nd Semester
Art 11
Business Tech 11
Chemistry 12
Adv. Physics 11
Accounting 12
Adv. Art 11
Multimedia 12
Can. His 11
Film & Video 12 Canadian Families 12
Pre Calculus 12 Law 12
Physics 11
Global Politics 12
Calculus 12
Sociology 12
Tourism 11
Adv. Chem 12
Adv. Math 12
Entrepreneurship 12
In order to take one of these courses through the virtual high school, a student must be highly
motivated, computer & internet literate, able to work independently and able to devote 4 to 5
hours a week of their own time to the course. Online classes will take place during school time
but assignments will have to be done outside of regular school hours. Students may be allowed to
replace a regular course with a virtual one. Interested students should see the Guidance Counselor
or Principal.
Complete the following application if you plan to take an NSVS course.
I AM APPLYING TO TAKE: ______________ IN SEMESTER __1__DURING BLOCK
_______
I AM APPLYING TO TAKE: ______________ IN SEMESTER __2__DURING BLOCK
_______
NAME:
_________________________________________
______________
STUDENT
NUMBER
STUDENT
NSPES
EMAIL
ADDRESS:
________________________________________________
Parent Name: ___________________________________
Address:
__________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________________________________
Parent e-mail address:__________________________________________
PUGWASH DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
Course Selection 2014 - 2015
Student Name: ___________________
Parent Signature:____________________
Block
A
B
C
Semester 1
Grade 11
Grade 10
Grade 12
Science
10 Chemistry
11 English
12
Physical Education
10 Foods & Hospitality
12 Global Geography
12
Math
10 Biology
11 Global History
12
Math Essentials
10 Math Essentials
10 English Communications
12
Sociology
12 Sociology
12
O2
10
History
Learning Strategies
Career Development/
Work Safety
11 Pre-Calculus
12
10 Multi-Media
12 Multi-Media
12
10 Learning Strategies
11 Learning Strategies
12
Home Trades Technology
D
Visual Arts
10 Math
11 Exercise Science
12
Music
10 Math at Work
11 Math for the Workplace
12
Block
Semester 2
Grade 11
Grade 10
English
10
Physical Active Living
English
Communications
12
11 Canadian History
11 Production Technology
12
Math
10 Geomatics
12 Geomatics
12
Math at Work
10 Visual Arts
11 Visual Arts
12
Math Essentials
11 Math Essentials
11
Physics
Science
C
Grade 12
11 Biology
A
B
English
African Canadian
Studies
10 English
10
11 Physics
12
11 Math
12
11 Calculus - Virtual High
12
Phys. Ed. Leadership
D
12
12
O2
10 Pre-Calculus
11 Chemistry
12
French
10 French
11 French
12
Agrifoods
11 Agrifoods
Communications
Technology
11
10 Learning Strategies
11 Learning Strategies
Learning Strategies
11
Communications
Technology
12
12