Welcome to Stouffville District Secondary SchoolGeneral Information

and Course Selection Process

ForGrade 8 Students & Parents/Guardians

Welcome to StouffvilleWelcome from Principal Arlene Smith

The importance of course selection The process of course selection

The Importance of Course Selection

Consider your course selections carefully with student, parent and grade 8 teachers

Secondary school classes have “hard caps”

It is important to realize that students may not be able to change courses mid-year

Pathway Planning

how you learn best diploma requirements to graduate prerequisites for courses how to plan for experiential learning

opportunities admission requirements for post-

secondary opportunities preparing for school-work

Important to know:

Planning Tool www.my.blueprint.ca Available on line Activation code: Spartans Allows parents and students to create

trial course selections and timetables for grades 9-12

Shows links to post-secondary destinations to match course selections

In grades 9 & 10, students will choose courses from four types:

Applied Academic

Open

Essential/Locally developed

Types of Courses – Gr. 9 & 10

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 (L) – courses for students who have not yet attained the prerequisite skills to be successful in Grade 9 Applied courses in English, Mathematics and Science.

Grade 9 Academic

Grade 9 Applied

Grade 9 Essential

Grade 10Academic

Grade 10 Applied

Grade 10 Essential

Grade 11 Workplace

+ Co-op / OYAP

Grade 11Workplace

Grade 11 College

Grade 11University

Grade 12 University

+Co-op / OYAP

Grade 12 College

+Co-op /OYAP

Grade 12 Workplace

+Co-op / OYAP

Grade 12 Workplace

+ Co-op / OYAP

ApprenticeshipWorkplace

Some CollegeApprenticeship

Workplace

CollegeApprenticeship

Workplace

UniversityCollege

Apprenticeship

Destinations Grade 9 to Post-Secondary

Essentials Pathways: clearing up some myths Students who choose

Essentials/Locally Developed have options both in secondary school and post-secondary

Essentials courses count as compulsory graduation requirements

Students have a genuine pathway to graduate with an OSSD

Diploma Requirements (O.S.S.D.) for the 4 year program

18 Compulsory Credits + 12 Optional Credits

= 30 Total Credits (110 hours each) + Successful Completion of Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test + 40 Hours of Community Involvement

18 Compulsory Credits4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)1 credit in French as a second language3 credits in mathematics2 credits in science1 credit in Canadian history1 credit in Canadian geography1 credit in the arts (music, visual arts, drama)1 credit in health and physical education.5 credit in civics & .5 credit in career studies

(grade 10) Plus…..

Compulsory Credits (cont’d.)Plus:1 additional credit in English, or French, native

language or international language, or a social science, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education (includes learning strategies) or cooperative education*

1 additional credit in health and physical education, or business studies, or the arts (music, visual arts or drama) or cooperative education*

1 additional credit in science (grades 11 or 12), or technological education (grades 9-12) or co-operative education*

* A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits

12 Optional CreditsOptional 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.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

administered in March of the Grade 10 year

a test based on curriculum expectations in reading and writing across subject areas

Community Involvement a diploma requirement complete 40 hours before graduation Can not begin before the start of Grade 9 in

September Must be approved by a Guidance Counsellor

Course SelectionIn 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 of their courses at onelevel or a combination.

1. English - Applied, Academic, Essential/LDCC

2. Mathematics “3. Science “4. Geography – Applied, Academic5. French - Applied or Academic

6. Health & Physical Education - Open

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:

1. Art – Drama, Music or Visual Art2. Integrated Studies – Business or

Technology3. Repertoire – offered after the regular

school day, an expectation for all students taking music

4. Vocal Music

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

Option Card Completion Read course calendar carefully Check with your teachers and parents to

decide on your course levels Circle course codes clearly on option card Number alternates clearly in small box Student, parents & teacher sign option card Hand in to Grade 8 teacher on time

Dates to remember…

Option cards due –

Wednesday, January 30th at Stouffville DSS

Hand into your Grade 8 teacher before this date

Guidance Services Website For links to more information on high school

programming, the YRDSB course calendar, post-secondary options and career exploration visit

www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.services

Check out the excellent section entitled “About High School”