Definition of a Credit
A credit is earned upon successful
completion of a course for which a minimum of 110 hours has been
scheduled. A credit is granted to a student by the principal of a
secondary school on behalf of the Minister of Education and Training.
Types of Courses: Grades 9 and 10
Academic,
applied, and open courses are offered in Grades 9 and 10. Locally
developed compulsory credit (LDCC) and alternative courses are also
offered for students receiving Special Education support.
Academic
courses develop students= knowledge and skills through the study of
theory and abstract problems. These courses focus on the essential
concepts of a subject and explore related concepts as well.
Applied
courses focus on essential concepts of a subject, and develop students’
knowledge and skills through practical applications and concrete
examples. Familiar situations are used to illustrate ideas, and students
are given more opportunities to experience hands-on applications of the
concepts and theories they study.
Students must choose between
Academic and Applied courses in the core subjects: English, French,
mathematics, science, geography and history. In addition, English,
mathematics, and science are offered as Locally Developed Compulsory
Credit courses.
Open courses are designed to prepare students for
further study in a subject, and to enrich their education generally.
Open courses comprise a set of expectations that are appropriate for all
students.
Locally Developed Compulsory Credit (LDCC) courses are
Ministry designed courses for students who require additional support in
mathematics, science and English. The suitability of one or all of
these courses is determined at the Grade 8 and 9 annual review held for
students with an IEP, and for other students in consultation with
teachers and parents/guardians at registration and course selection
time. Students may also take a learning strategies course to support
their learning.
Alternative (Non-Credit) Courses
Alternative
programming is available for students who need employability and
life-skills development in preparation for their transition into
community living and the workplace. These non-credit (K) courses are
provided for a small number of exceptional students who are unable to
meet the requirements of credit courses.
Types of Courses: Grade 11 and 12
Courses
in grades 11 and 12 are designed to prepare students for a
post-secondary destination. There are 5 types of courses offered:
University: Designed
to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the
entrance requirements for university programs and applied degree
programs at all community colleges.
University / College: Includes content that is relevant for both university and college.
College: Designed
to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the
entrance requirements for most college programs or for admission to
apprenticeship and other training programs.
Workplace: Designed to
equip students with the knowledge and skills they need for direct entry
into the workplace or for admission to apprenticeship programs and
other training programs offered in the community.
Open: Focus
on general skills and knowledge related to both theory and practical
application. there is one set of expectations for all students.
Note:
Course Outlines and Ontario Curriculum Policy Documents are available
upon request at the school and at
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary
Course Changes and Withdrawals
Students
wishing to change a course must consult with a guidance counsellor.
Course changes are possible if made within the first two weeks of a
semester but are dependent upon available space in the appropriate
classes. Students must follow their established timetable in its
entirety until any changes have been officially approved.
A grade
12 student carrying a full course load may be able to
withdraw from a course. Withdrawal after 5 school days following the
issue of the mid-term report card from any grade 11 or 12 course will be
noted on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST) and indicated by a “W”:
The percentage grade that is reported will be the grade at the time of
withdrawal.
Explanation of Course Coding System
The common course code consists of the following components, designated by the Ministry of Education and Training:
- Six code characters
- A course title
For Example: MPM1D1, ENG4C1, CHV2O5
MPM | 1 | D | 1 |
ENG | 4 | C | 1 |
CHV | 2 | O | 5 |
Course Descriptor | Grade of the Course | Course Type (Gr. 9-10) | Credit Value |
Mathematics (MPM) | 1 – Grade 9 | D – Academic | 1 = 1 Credit |
English (ENG) | 2 – Grade 10 | P – Applied | 5 = 1/2 Credit |
| 3 – Grade 11 | O – Open | 2 = 2 Credits (Eg. Co-op) |
| 4 – Grade 12 | L – Locally Developed Compulsory | |
| | K – Life Skills (Non-Credit) | |
International Baccalaureate S – Standard Level IB H – Higher Level IB | Course Type (Gr. 11-12) O – Open U – University Stream C – College Stream M – University/ College Stream E – Workplace |