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”