Lincoln Heights
High School Information
Grade 8-9
Transition Process
1
for students NOT planning to
attend Bluevale in September:
- IF the student is attending a WRDSB Magnet
Program (IB/IA) OR a “Direct Entry” program
(such as ESL at WCI), Miss Murray will guide
you through the course selection process.
- IF the student is transferring to a school which
is NOT part of the WRDSB, the student and
parent/guardian are directed to go to the high
school personally to make arrangements.
DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
0SSD
Ontario Secondary School Diploma
30 CREDITS
18 COMPULSORY
12 ELECTIVES
Plus
:
* 40 hours of Community
Involvement &
* Successful Completion of Literacy Requirement
(grade 10 Literacy Test)
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
(required to graduate from grade 12):
4 credits in ENGLISH
3 credits in MATHEMATICS
2 credits in SCIENCE
1 credit in GEOGRAPHY
1 credit in HISTORY
1 credit FRENCH
1 credit ARTS
1 credit PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1/2 credit in CIVICS
1/2 credit in CAREER STUDIES
...that makes a total of 15 out of the 18 required
credits. 3 further credits in specific areas are
also required.
3 more Compulsory Credits:
1 credit from each group
1 •
•
•
•
•
2 • Health & Phys. Ed.
English
• Arts
Third Language
• Business
Social Science
*
•
Cooperative
Education
Canadian and World Studies
• French as a Second Language
Guidance and Career
_______________
Education
3
• Science, Gr. 11 or 12
• Cooperative Education*
• French as a Second Language • Technological Education, Gr.
9-12
___________________
• Cooperative Education*
* Note: a maximum of two Cooperative Education courses may be taken
12 ELECTIVES
• DRAMATIC ARTS
• MUSIC - INSTRUMENTAL
• MUSIC - VOCAL
• VISUAL ARTS
• PHYSICAL EDUCATION
• BUSINESS
• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES
• INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY
LIVING
• And other options…more Math,
Science, Languages….
Course Type & Destination
the following terminology is used for the specified grade levels:
Grade 9 and 10
• Academic
• Applied
• Essential/Fast
Forward
• Open
Grade 11 and 12
• University
• University/College
• College
• Workplace
• Open
Academic Level Courses
 Offered in Core areas: English, Math, Science, History,
Geography, French
 Students will learn the essential concepts of a subject
and explore related materials
 Emphasis will be on theory and abstract thinking as a
basis for future learning
 Lead to senior courses (gr. 11 & 12) preparing for
university and college
 Guideline benchmark: 70% and over (in gr. 8)
 Students should be independent learners with learning
skills in the good to excellent range
Applied Level Courses
 Offered in Core areas: English, Math, Science, History,
Geography, French (gr. 9 only for Applied French)
 Emphasis will be on the practical and hands-on applications
of the concepts
 The course focuses on the essential concepts of a subject
 Lead to senior courses preparing for college, apprenticeship,
skilled trades, and the workplace
 Guideline benchmark: 50% - 70% (in gr. 8)
 Students should already be or starting to become
independent learners
Essential Level Courses
• In WRDSB, offered through the magnet program Fast Forward
• Fast Forward offered at SJAM or KCI (*you will already know if
this program applies to you/your child)
• Emphasis will be in the practical and hands-on applications
that will help students to improve their skills for functioning
in everyday life and in the workplace.
• Students who are more successful in an environment with
additional teacher direction and varied instruction find
success in these courses
• Hands-on learning, smaller class sizes
• Lead to senior courses preparing students for the workplace
Open Level Courses
• Set of expectations that is suitable for all
students at a given grade level
• Provides students with a broad educational
base
• Available in subjects like: Physical Education,
Technology, Music, Drama, etc.
Making gr. 9 Course Choices (A)
Grade 8s will select a total of 8 courses for gr. 9.
You will select either ACADEMIC OR APPLIED for
the following 5 ‘core’ subjects:
(it can be a combination of both levels)
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• French
• Geography
•
**students in pre AP and Choose 2 Lead will select ‘Academic’ for all 5 courses
Making Course Choices (B)
Grade 8s will also select 3 ELECTIVE courses for
grade 9 from the following 10 options:
Elective Optional “OPEN” Courses:
• The Arts: Drama, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Visual Arts
• Business Studies: Introduction to Business, Information and
Communication Technology in Business
• Health and Physical Education: Healthy Active Living (male or
female)
• Social Sciences: Food and Nutrition, Individual and Family Living
• Technological Education: Integrated Technologies
• **Students in Choose 2 Lead MUST select “Intro. to Bus” as 1 of
their electives for grade 9.
MYWAY course selection process:
Grade 8 teachers make recommendations as
to the level of course they feel is best suited to
each student for each of the 5 grade 9 core
subjects.
Students share these recommendations with
their families and make a decision as to which
level they will request for: English, French,
Geography, Math, and Science. (**this
selection does not have to agree with the
MYWAY.WRDSB.CA
•
•
•
Grade 8s log in to the MYWAY student
portal and follow the instructions on the
hand-out they were given in order to make
their “course requests.”
They will select either ‘ACADEMIC’ or
‘APPLIED’ for the 5 Core subjects, PLUS 3
ELECTIVES from the 10 options.
They will print the request form at school
and will take it home to be
signed/returned.
SAMPLE GR 9 STUDENT TIMETABLE AT A
SEMESTERED SCHOOL:
SEMESTER 1
SEPT. TO JANUARY
ENGLISH
SCIENCE
FRENCH
ELECTIVE (e.g. Physical
Education)
•
•
•
•
•
•
SEMESTER 2
FEBRUARY TO JUNE
MATHEMATICS
GEOGRAPHY
ELECTIVE (e.g. Art)
ELECTIVE (e.g.
Integrated Technology)
COMMUNITY SERVICE
In order to graduate from secondary school ALL students must complete
40 hours of community service.
STUDENTS CAN BEGIN THIS REQUIREMENT THE SUMMER BETWEEN
GRADE 8 AND GRADE 9.
THEY MUST FINISH IT BY THE END OF GRADE 12 IF THEY WISH TO
GRADUATE.
“Community Service” tracking forms wil be made available in June for students who
wish to start accumulating hours before September.
Examples of volunteering hours:
-
babysitting
- lawn care
-
counsellor-in-training
- after school programs
-
day camps
- seniors’ homes
- community centres
- volunteering at a club/activity (dance, bball program)
ONTARIO LITERACY TEST
• Usually taken in grade 10
• Tests reading and writing skills up to the end of grade 9
• There is no limit to the number of times the test can be retaken
• Students unsuccessful on the literacy test, despite extra
remediation, may be eligible for the Ontario Secondary School
Literacy Course
• Successful completion of the Literacy Course is the equivalent of
passing the test
• Students cannot receive a diploma unless they pass the literacy
test or course, as well as completing all credits and the 40 hours
of community service
SPECIAL EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOL
• Lincoln Heights’ Special Education teachers and
classroom teachers will meet with high school
Special Education teachers to share information,
strategies and IEPs
• Accommodations in the IEP are maintained
• Grade level modifications are managed by the
program the student chooses – Academic, Applied
or Fast Forward/Essential
SPECIAL PROGRAMS AT BLUEVALE
• Only available for students whose home school is
Bluevale
• “CHOOSE TO LEAD” (max 30+ students from all feeder
schools) who are interested in developing their
leadership skills (upon acceptance)
• “PRE AP” – for students who are interested in studying
English, Math, or French at an advanced level (upon
acceptance)
• All students will have submitted an application by Jan
7, 2015 and will now know if they have been accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
 What
happens when a student or parent
chooses a course type other than what is
recommended by the teacher?
The ultimate choice is with the parent and
student. Parents are urged to discuss
concerns with teachers at Lincoln Heights.
(teachers may have made a recommendation for a
course at the “essential” level although this level is
not currently being offered. This would imply that the
student should choose the course at the ‘Applied’
level)
Frequently Asked Questions
 Will
there be an opportunity to switch
courses during grade 9, e.g., Academic to
Applied?
Not likely, due to timetable constraints
 Is
it possible to change course types from
grade 9 to 10?
Yes, in all core courses except Math from
applied to academic. Bridge courses at summer
school are a possibility in math.(i.e., taking gr.
9 Academic Math in order to register in gr. 10
Academic Math.)
Important Dates

FEBRUARY 26 – March 6: Students will complete
online course selection at school OR at home
and will print them at school.

MARCH 10: Course Selection Forms signed by
parents and returned to Lincoln Heights.

MAY – JUNE: All grade 8 students will visit the
high school that they are attending for Grade 9.
26
Important to Remember:
-
-
You cannot ‘select’ which high school you
wish to attend. This is pre-determined by
where you live, UNLESS you have applied
to a MAGNET or special program at WCI,
ECI, or CHCI.
*If you are unsure as to which school is
your home school, go to www.wrdsb.ca
and use the “school finder” tool.
Questions?
If you or your child are still unsure about any part of the
transition process, please do not hesitate to call the school.
Miss Murray, Mrs. Deans, or any of your child’s teachers
will more than happy to assist you with your questions.
We look forward to helping your child make a smooth
transition to high school.