Welcome to Secondary
School
General Information
and
Course Selection Process
For
Grade 8 Students & Parents/Guardians
Information ???
The information contained in this presentation is available
from the following:
•
York Region District School Board Regional Course Directory
2008-2009. Available on line at www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
•
Our school’s course calendar
•
York Region District School Board web site –
www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
•
York Region District School Board Guidance Services Website www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.services
•
Ministry of Education web site www.edu.gov.on.ca for policy and curriculum documents
Ontario Secondary School
Diploma (OSSD) Requirements
18 Compulsory Credits
+
12 Optional Credits
=
30 Total Credits (110 hours each)
+
Successful Completion of the Ontario Secondary
School Literacy Test
+
40 Hours of Community Involvement
18 Compulsory Credits
4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
1 credit in French as a second language
3 credits in mathematics (at least 1 in Gr. 11 or 12)
2 credits in science
1 credit in Canadian history
1 credit in Canadian geography
1 credit in the arts (music, visual arts, drama,
dance)
1 credit in health and physical education
.5 credit in civics & .5 credit in career studies
(grade 10)
Plus…..
Compulsory Credits
(continued)
Plus:
Group 1: 1 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 (including Learning
Strategies), or Cooperative Education*
Group 2: 1 additional credit in health and physical
education, or business studies, or the arts (music, art,
drama), or Cooperative Education*
Group 3: 1 additional credit in science (grade 11 or 12)
or technological education (grades 9-12), or
Cooperative Education*
* A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education can
count as compulsory credits.
12 Optional Credits
Optional credits allow
students to build an
educational program
over the four years that
suits their individual
interests and meets
university, college,
apprenticeship or work
requirements.
The Grade 10 Literacy
Test
• a test based on language and communication
expectations of curricula up to and including
grade 9
• if a student does not meet the standard in the
first attempt, schools will provide remedial
support; the test will be re-administered
and/or
• the student can successfully complete the Grade
12 Literacy Course
Community Involvement
• a diploma requirement to complete 40 hours
of service
• encourages civic responsibility, promotes
community values and reinforces importance
of volunteerism
• a good way to explore career interests
The Annual Education
Plan (AEP)
• Students in high school will continue to prepare
an annual education plan
• Students will set and track their goals in the
areas of academic achievement, career and
education exploration, extracurricular and
community involvement activities
Some Supports in Earning
an OSSD
• Transfer Courses
• Crossover Courses
• Substitutions of Compulsory Credits
• ESL/ESD Programs
• Supports for Special Education and
Students at risk
Secondary School
Certificates
The Ontario Secondary School Certificate:
• for students who leave school before
earning the O.S.S.D.
• must earn at least 14 credits
The Certificate of Accomplishment:
• for students who leave school before
earning either the O.S.S.D. or the O.S.S.C.
System-Wide Programs in
YRDSB
• Aboriginal Education (AE)
• Active Sport Profile and Intensive Sport
•
•
•
•
Profile (ASP & ISP)
Arts Programs (Arts Huron and ArtsWest)
Arts York (AY)
Enriched Programs – Advanced Placement
(AP), Gifted Programs (GP)
Exploring Opportunities Program (EOP)
System-Wide Programs in
YRDSB (Continued)
• French Immersion (FI)
• High Performance Athlete (HPA)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• International Cooperative Education
(ICE) Program to Ecuador
• Personal Support Worker (PSW) Health
Care Studies
• Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Making the Choice…??
• Parents and students will select courses in
collaboration with elementary school teachers,
guidance counselors and administrators
 It is important that students do some honest self
assessment, matching their ability with their interests
and aptitudes
 Remember that initial decisions made in grade 8 are
not “final” decisions. There are many pathways to
the destination your child dreams of!
Types of Courses –
Gr. 9 & 10
In grades 9 & 10, students will choose
courses from four types:
Applied
Academic
Open
Essential/Locally Developed
Gr. 9 & 10 –
Definitions of Types
• Grade 9 & 10 courses- focus is on establishing solid
knowledge and foundation skills
• Applied (P) - a real-life hands on approach with
some theory
• Academic (D) - theoretical in approach, utilizes
abstract thinking
• Open (O) – an opportunity to explore an area of
interest for all students
• Essential or Locally Developed (M) – courses
intended for students whose educational needs are
not met by the provincial courses in English,
Mathematics and Science
Course Selection
(continued)
All other selections for Grade 9 will be from the Open
type courses. The electives to choose from vary from
school to school. The following courses are
available at our school for Grade 9:
Course Selection
In order to meet graduation diploma requirements, it is
strongly recommended that students take the following 6
subjects in grade 9.
A student may choose all academic courses or all applied or
a combination of the two.
1. English - Applied, Academic or Essential
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mathematics
“
Science
“
Geography/History
Applied or Academic
French
“
Health & Physical Education - Open
Pathway Planning
Important to know:
how you learn best
diploma requirements to graduate
prerequisites for courses
how to plan for experiential learning
opportunities
• admission requirements for postsecondary opportunities
• preparing for school-work
•
•
•
•
Organization of
Grade 11 & 12
For grades 11 and 12, students will choose courses
based on their intended pathway after high school.
There are different destination or pathway type
courses as well as the open type courses and
transfer courses for students to choose from in
these grades.
1. Workplace/
Apprenticeship
Courses
2. College
3. University/College
4. University
Open
+
&
Transfer Courses
Planning for Experiential
Learning Experiences
Grade 9
Grade 10
Compulsory
Credits
CO-OP
Grade 11
Grade 12
Optional
Credits
CO-OP
Compulsory Credits
18 specific courses are mandated by the Ministry of
Education to be elifible for the Ontario Secondary
School Diploma (OSSD).
CO-OP
Education
What is a Specialist High
Skills Major (SHSM)?
A Unique Way to Learn!
•
Choose a focus for your learning in one of the
following areas:
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Health and Wellness
•
SHSM is for everyone regardless of whether
you are going to an apprenticeship, college,
university, or directly to the workplace after
high school
SHSM’s Move You Ahead
•
You will receive specialized training and earn
industry recognized certifications that will help
launch your career after high school
•
You get experiential learning opportunities in a
variety of workplaces and post secondary
institutions allowing you to “reach ahead”
•
You earn a specially recognized diploma
accompanied by an SHSM transcript record
Employers love it and are looking for
graduates with it!
Exploring Opportunities
Programs (EOP)

This program can serve as entry to a Specialist High Skills Major
diploma

You work on an individualized timetable with one or two teachers
in a small group environment

You take a package of 4 courses and attend the program at a regional
location usually for one semester

You return to your home school, the workplace and/or apprenticeship
at the completion of the program

You get specialized industry training the certificates to prove it along
with valuable workplace experience
The Pathways
linked to Grade 11/12 Programming
• Students in Ontario have many options
for post secondary training
• They can choose from 28 colleges, 19
universities, hundreds of private career
colleges and over 140
• apprenticeship opportunities
Apprenticeship
& Skilled Trades Pathway
• YRDSB has the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
(OYAP)! Students earn high school credits and
competencies towards their apprenticeship
• These high demand, highly skilled, highly practical
careers are now referred to as “Gold Collar Careers”.
Many trades people can earn $75,000 within 3-5 years
of high school graduation
• Various incentives and resources are available to OYAP
students
For more information contact your Community
Based Education/Co-op Department and visit
www.OYAP.com
OYAP Requirements
16 years of age, 16 credits
 enrolled in Co-op
 full time student
 competencies in Math, English,
Science
 competencies in the related trade skills
 a positive attitude and good work ethic
Benefits of OYAP

offers students a school-work destination with
good job prospects

allows students to start their post-secondary
training program while they earn their high
school diploma

develops student connections with employers
for post-secondary employment as apprentices
 the destination of choice for experiential learners
College Pathway
• Community college programs provide a valuable
combination of academic and practical/technical
skills training for a specific career
• There are almost 600 programs to choose from
at Ontario’s community colleges including
Business Administration, Biomedical Technology,
Computer Animation, Engineering Technology,
Paramedic, and Social Worker
• Seneca College tells us that York University is
their biggest feeder school as University Grads
discover that they require practical job skills in
addition to theory
University  College
• Program links between colleges and universities
are increasing dramatically by offering joint
programs that will provide students with both the
theoretical and practical skills required for their
career and earn them a degree and a diploma in
four years
• Multiple opportunities for transferability between
colleges and universities exist
• Applied degree programs are now granted by
many colleges and universities
University Pathway
• University programs provide theoretical
academic training
• In general, there are 4 main types of programs
at most universities:
Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences
Life/Health Sciences
Physical/Engineering Sciences
Business/Commerce
The Workplace Pathway
We are all going to work but we enter the workforce
at different times in our lives!
• There are many viable entry-level job opportunities for
students who have completed their OSSD and have
workplace experiences
• Students who are fast tracking into the
workforce/community directly after high school should:
work with guidance, community-based education,
subject teachers, employment centres to create a
personal portfolio (resume, cover letters, letters of
reference, successes, etc.) to present to prospective
employers and be aware of the value of cooperative
education for this preparation
Remember….
 Pathways are changeable and
flexible
 As interests, skills and aptitudes
develop and mature, there will be many
opportunities to re-chart our journey
Programs for Students At Risk
Of Not Meeting Diploma
Requirements
Program options and strategies may include:
• remedial courses/programs (i.e. Learning Strategies)
• program which combines Gr. 9 credit courses and
remedial skills programs
• grouping of students in separate classes and for
specialized programs
• three essential skills courses in each of English, math
and science in Grades 9 and 10 which meet
compulsory credit requirements
• individual support and guidance
Continued...
• other essential skills courses to meet optional
credit requirements
• enhanced opportunities for work experience and
cooperative education programs
• substitution of up to 3 compulsory credit courses
• Certificates
• development of an I.E.P. and possible referral to
an I.P.R.C
Identified Students and
Those Receiving Special Education
Programs and Services
Students who require special education support
and services will receive this support
according to the needs outlined in their I.E.P.
Some may be:
• modified curriculum expectations
• alternative learning expectations
• accommodations to the learning environment;
monitoring/in-class resourcing
• methods to review student’s progress
• student transition plan to postsecondary
education, work and/or community living
ESL/ELD Support
Programs
• ESL courses are provided to help students
develop proficiency in English
• ELD courses are intended to provide students
with an accelerated literacy program
• these are credit courses which are developed
from the curriculum policy document
Guidance Services
Website
• For links to more information on high school
programming, the YRDSB course directory, postsecondary options and career exploration visit
www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.services
Check out the excellent section entitled
“About High School”
The End...
Thank you for
attending
this presentation.
Questions can be
directed to staff.