Welcome to secondary school! This move to Grade 9 begins an exciting new chapter for you. Enjoy it, appreciate the experience, and seize the opportunities in front of you!
For questions about getting ready for Grade 9, please reach out to your Grade 8 Teacher or your high school's Guidance Counsellors or Student Success Teacher.
You can learn more about all of the 黄色直播's secondary schools on their .
If your student is not currently enrolled at one of our local elementary schools, and you are looking to register them with a 黄色直播 secondary school, contact the high school associated with your home location to register for the coming school year.
Please visit our registration page to identify which school your child can attend.
If your student is not currently enrolled at one of our local elementary schools, and you are looking to sign them up for secondary school, contact the high school associated with your home location to register for the coming school year. Please visit Registering With the 黄色直播 to identify which school your child can attend.
Terms and Definitions |
Semestered and Non-Semestered
At a semestered school, the school year is divided into 2 semesters. A student takes 4 courses in semester one, then another 4 courses in semester two. At a non-semestered school, students take the same 8 courses throughout the year. Timetable A timetable is a schedule of a student's courses and lunch break, and outlines the time, room number, and teacher for each course. Prerequisite Course This refers to a specific course that must be successfully completed before taking another course. Course Code This 5-character code indicates the subject, grade level, and stream or destination of a secondary school course Compulsory Course This is a specific course students must take, and it fulfils part of the diploma requirements. Destination Courses Compulsory Grade 11 and 12 courses are based on destination. They can be taken for workplace (E), university (U), university/college (M), or college (C) destinations. Credit A credit is granted upon successful completion of a 110-hour course with a minimum grade of 50%. Optional Course Students will select 12 optional courses during their time in high school that are of specific interest to them, which will count toward their 30-credit diploma requirement. Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) The literacy test is written in Grade 10. Students who are unsuccessful on the OSSLT may complete the provincial literacy requirement by successfully completing the Ontario Literacy Course (OLC 4O). A student must pass the provincial literacy requirement to earn an OSSD. EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics The math assessment is written in Grade 9. Successful completion of the math test is not a requirement to earn an OSSD. Community Involvement Hours Students must complete 40 community involvement hours, at any time in high school, as part of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Students will earn an OSSD by earning a minimum of 30 credits, including 18 compulsory and 12 optional credits, as well as fulfilling the literacy and community involvement requirements. Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) Students may be granted an OSSC by earning a minimum of 14 credits, including 7 compulsory credits. |
Figuring Out a Course Code |
Every course in secondary school has a unique COURSE CODE. All courses have the first five characters as mandated by the Ministry of Education. Example: ENG1P
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Pathways |
There are many pathways to success and all students can be successful. At the 黄色直播 (黄色直播), our students can choose from a variety of pathways鈥痶o suit their interests, strengths,鈥痑nd鈥痝oals.鈥
Learn how you鈥痗an start building your鈥痯athway today with our Individual Pathways Plan (IPP) in鈥.鈥&苍产蝉辫; What is a pathway?鈥 A pathway is a range of courses and鈥痯rograms that help you meet your needs and prepare for your initial post-secondary destination, including:鈥
Create your pathway using鈥痬yBlueprint鈥 To create your IPP,鈥痩og into鈥痷sing your 黄色直播 account to get started.鈥疶his is the same e-mail and password you use to log onto school computers.鈥&苍产蝉辫; If you have any questions about creating your鈥痯athway, contact your Guidance Counsellor or Student Success Teacher.鈥 What is鈥myBlueprint?鈥 is an education planner to prepare students for their schooling in grades 7-12, select courses, and find more information on post-secondary pathways. They can use this tool to complete their Individual Pathways Plan, discover their learning styles and interests, and explore opportunities in apprenticeships, programs, and occupations. Individual Pathways Plan鈥(IPP)鈥 An鈥疘ndividual Pathways Plan (IPP)鈥痺ill help you make choices about your education, career, and life options. It also helps you鈥痜ind鈥痮pportunities and learn how to set and achieve goals.鈥 Your IPP will include:鈥
40 Hours Community Involvement To support your pathway, learn about our鈥痳equired鈥40 hours community involvement program鈥痺here you鈥痺ill鈥痚xperience鈥痭ew opportunities鈥痑nd learning鈥痮utside of school. |
De-streaming |
To provide鈥痜air鈥痮pportunities and positive outcomes for students, the 黄色直播鈥痟as begun to eliminate鈥痶he streaming of students鈥痠nto鈥痵eparate Applied and Academic secondary school programs.鈥疓rade 9 math was the first course to be de-streamed. It will be followed by the Grade 9 Science course. De-streaming will continue in all compulsory Grade 9 courses that were originally streamed.
The 黄色直播 has made this decision as a鈥痳esponse to local and provincial advocacy and considerations, as well as direction from the Ministry of Education.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
The Benefits of De-streaming Education This de-streaming now allows for the individualized journey each student takes as they move forward with their secondary education and their post-secondary plans. Students now have the opportunity to make more informed decisions and change their path later in their secondary education, to allow for new plans and course changes.
If you have any questions about our de-streaming process,鈥痵end us an email to [email protected] or鈥痗ontact your Guidance Counsellor.鈥&苍产蝉辫; |
Skills for Success |
How Parents Can Help Students
Below are three important skills necessary for student success. For each skill, recommendations are outlined, followed by warning signs which may lead to difficulty, and finally, recommended strategies for improvement. Attendance Recommendations
Warning Signs
Strategy
Homework and Submission of Assignments Recommendations
Warning Signs
Strategy
Organization and Time Management Recommendations
Warning Signs
Strategy
Mental Health and Well-Being Recommendations
Warning Signs
Strategy
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What do you need to graduate? |
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 18 Compulsory Credits
Plus one credit from each of the following groups:
Or French as a Second Language, Or a Native language, Or a First Nations, M茅tis, and Inuit Studies, Or a Classical or International Language, Or Social Sciences and the Humanities, Or Canadian and World Studies, Or Guidance and Career Education, Or Cooperative education**
Or the Arts, Or Business Studies, Or French as a Second Language, Or Cooperative Education**
Or Technological Education, Or French as a Second Language, Or Computer Studies, Or Cooperative Education**
In addition to the compulsory credits, students must complete:
*A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the fourth must be a credit earned from a Grade 12 compulsory English course. ** A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education can count as compulsory credits.
Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) Students may be granted, on request, an Ontario Secondary School Certificate. 7 Compulsory Credits
Plus 7 optional credits |
Getting Involved |
Your high school experience is not limited to academics! Playing sports or joining a club is a great way to get involved in your school, meet new friends, and to help with your overall school success. The variety of sports, clubs and organizations will vary from school to school, but below are some examples of what may be available at your new school.
Sports Teams:
Types of Clubs and Organizations:
Please contact your school guidance department to see what sports, teams, groups, or clubs are available at your school. |
Looking Ahead |
Once you start high school, you will discover many opportunities and programs along the way. Ontario high schools have a variety of job skills programs to help meet the needs, interests, and strengths of all students, engaging them in learning and preparing them for graduation, life beyond high school, and the jobs of the future. Take a look at what's ahead!
Community Involvement Hours All students must complete 40 hours of community involvement as part of their OSSD requirement. Most students enjoy doing more than the required amount. Community Kitchen: The Community Kitchen is a specialized co-operative education program in the hospitality industry intended to provide career preparation for students interested in various sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry. Students work in a commercial kitchen with Red Seal chefs to make daily meals as well as rescue and distribute foods to local food banks through partnerships among Meals on Wheels and Plentiful Harvest, and the Unemployed Help Centre. Cooperative Education Cooperative education is a learning partnership that provides students with valuable work experience while earning high school credits. The program involves both a classroom component and a work placement component. Co-op is a great way to try out a career and gain experience in a field that interests you. Cooperative education programs are available in all secondary schools. Dual Credit Program Dual credit programs allow eligible students in high school to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards:
High school students taking dual credit courses benefit from the supervision and support of their college instructor and the 黄色直播 dual credit teacher. Students also have access to a variety of college supports and services. The Ministry of Education approves all dual credit programs. E-Learning E-learning courses in a variety of subjects are available in grades 11 and 12 if you need courses that are not available in your home school. It is important to consider your learning style when choosing e-learning. e-STEAM e-STEAM (Entrepreneurship in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts) is a specialized program designed to prepare students for an ever-changing and highly competitive world, by providing an enhanced learning experience that builds global competencies and provides experiential exploration of the medical sciences, engineering and computer science fields. It is an open boundary program offered at Tecumseh Vista Academy, for students throughout the 黄色直播 entering high school. Students are required to complete an application to be considered for the program. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program The 黄色直播 has 2 schools, Leamington District Secondary School (LDSS) & Riverside Secondary School (RSS), authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) Diploma Program for Grade 11 and 12 students. An I.B. Diploma is recognized and valued by universities worldwide. In I.B., students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research, and undertake a project that often involves community service. My Achievement Pathway to Success Program My Achievement Pathway to Success (MAPS) Program prepares students with complex learning styles for the world of work and volunteerism. The program includes various non-credit 鈥渒nowledge-courses鈥 that serve as personalized transition opportunities to ensure student success in future credit courses. Students are supported by a team of special education specialists in classrooms with a reduced number of students. Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program OYAP helps prepare students for apprenticeship by combining high school courses with co-op placements to help students gain the knowledge, skills, and work experience necessary to begin an apprenticeship. Students are registered as apprentices and can begin to complete some of the necessary competencies and hours for their chosen trade. You may apply to an OYAP program after successfully completing Grade 10. Enhanced OYAP is also available in the follow programs: Precision Metal Trades, Auto Service, Cook, and Hairstyling. Specialist High Skills Major Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs are designed to give students a "leg-up" in pursuing post-secondary opportunities. SHSM programs allow you to focus on a particular future career through a "bundle" of eight to ten Grade 11 & 12 courses, work experience, and sector certifications. SHSM programs are available in a variety of employment sectors in select secondary schools. Take Our Kids to Work Grade 9 students have the opportunity to explore a "day in the work-life" of their parents/guardians. Walkerville Centre for the Creative Arts Walkerville Centre for the Creative Arts (WCCA) is a secondary school enriched arts program for the most passionate, dedicated, and promising student artists in Windsor Essex County. WCCA provides access and opportunities in nine distinct art disciplines through extremely experienced and gifted educators. WCCA is a regional, pre-professional arts training center that offers secondary students鈥 intensive instruction in Media Arts, Dance (jazz, modern, and ballet), Music (instrumental, strings, guitar, piano, and concert band), Drama (musical theatre, directing, improvisation, acting, and production), Visual Arts (painting, drawing, print-making and sculpting), and Vocal Music (classical, jazz, and pop) all while maintaining simultaneous academic excellence. The students collaborate and work through the creative process in order to discover solutions, solve problems, and create new answers and results. |
Student Voice |
In our school board, we value the opinions and experiences of all students. Each student can speak to their own opportunities and time spent on their secondary education journey. See what some of our current students have to say about their high school experience!
鈥淚f you鈥檙e thinking that high school is one of the most intimidating places on earth, where you鈥檒l get detention for being one second late to class, I can reassure you it鈥檚 nothing like that! From teachers to seniors to classmates, everyone is not as scary as you think they are. Don鈥檛 be scared to ask teachers for help, or a due date extension when you are having a bad week. Make sure to join clubs you鈥檙e interested in and don鈥檛 hesitate to ask senior students about a class they took that you鈥檙e currently taking. Finally, since you鈥檒l have different people in all your classes, go talk to your classmates and make new friends in every class. With these three tips in mind, I can guarantee that you鈥檒l love high school!鈥 Anna W, Grade 12 鈥淏eing nervous about leaving 8th grade and entering high school is normal for everyone. I felt it, and you will too, but there鈥檚 nothing to fear. In my experience, I accepted that everyone was trying to meet new people in new surroundings, which made it less intimidating and easier to get out of my comfort zone and socialize. I tried out for sports that I enjoyed and met like-minded people who became my teammates and friends. In terms of courses and material, if I was confused about specific topics or work, I made sure to ask questions so I wouldn鈥檛 fall behind. Eventually, I got better at time management and was able to keep up with the workload!鈥 Mariam H, Grade 11 鈥淭ransitioning from grade 8 to 9 can be a pretty nerve-wracking experience. Trust me, it is for everyone! I personally loved grade 9 orientation, although I鈥檇 be lying if I said I wasn鈥檛 nervous. I got to meet a whole bunch of friends and future classmates. There was music and cool events that helped me loosen up when I was nervous. Don鈥檛 be scared to reach out to staff and teachers; I promise they don鈥檛 bite!鈥 Diana G, Grade 12 |
Tips and Information |
Be enthusiastic about your move to high school
To make a successful transition to high school:
School Fees Each school will charge a student activity fee, which covers many students鈥 activities planned throughout the school year. Some courses may include a fee to cover supplies. Locks and Lockers You will be assigned a locker that is identified by a number. Keep your lock combination secret to protect your belongings. High School Resources Available to You
Schools provide a variety of school athletic teams and clubs to join.
The Black, African & Caribbean (BAC) Tutors provide academic support to grade 7-12 students in a wide array of subject areas. Students that join are entitled to 20 hours of tutoring support.
The E.S.L. Program provides English Language Learners with support in the development of English skills and literacy. E.S.L. support is not available at all high schools.
The Graduation Coach works from a holistic approach and framework to provide intensive and culturally responsive support and advocacy to marginalized students and their families. The Graduation Coach performs their role with the goal of developing strategies to empower students and see students through high school graduation, while developing intentional transition strategies to support their desired post-secondary programs/pathways. The goal is to see an increase in graduation rates, attendance, and advancement of marginalized students in their chosen pathways.
The Child and Youth Workers (CYW) in each school support students and staff by developing plans to help with skills building and school success.
The Create Your Future Advisors (CYFA) serve as members of the Student Success Team. They help racialized and marginalized students' progress through school and overcome challenges they face in the education system through mentoring, coaching, problem-solving, and skills development. They have a specific emphasis on equity and respect for our diverse identities and strengths.
The First Nations, M茅tis & Inuit (FNMI) Student Support Workers
Student Services provide supports with academic, career, and personal development of all students.
Library Services provide students with print, computer, and electronic resources as support for academic work.
Learning Support Teachers (LST) in each school can help with the academic planning for students with special needs. Classroom teachers work with learning support teachers to provide accommodations and support for students.
The Mental Health and Addictions Nurse provides specialized, professional support to students with mental health or addictions concerns.
The Psychological Services personnel have training in psychology as it applies to education settings. The staff consists of registered psychologists, registered psychological associates, and psychoeducational consultants.
School Social Workers assist children, families, and school personnel in enhancing students鈥 well-being to maximize their educational opportunities and learning potential.
Student Success Teachers (SST) in each school advocates for students, tracks their academic progress, initiates programs changes, and supports student social and emotional health. They aim to improve the learning experience for students and helps with the transition from elementary school into high school. |
We value where you are headed! |
As students progress toward their post-secondary destination, their pathways allow for a number of different outcomes. See below for what awaits after secondary school! Apprenticeship Apprenticeship is a hands-on training program if you want to work in a skilled trade and enjoy learning by doing. Apprenticeship training allows you to learn the skills while working with qualified trades people. Some training takes place in the classroom, but the majority of the training occurs in the actual workplace. Many of these trades pay well because of the skills required of the worker. If you are taking apprenticeship training, you are called an apprentice. College College is post-secondary education that you can attend after graduating from high school. You generally study for two to three years and concentrate on learning about a subject area that is of interest to you. When you graduate from college you will have a diploma or certificate which will prepare you for a career in your area of study. To attend college, you need to apply and then be accepted. Colleges use admission requirements and grades to select students. Many colleges and universities have partnership programs that allow you to transfer between schools and receive credit for completed course work. University University is post-secondary education that you can attend after graduating from high school. You generally study for four years and concentrate on learning about a subject area that is of interest to you. When you graduate from university, you will have a Bachelor's degree which will help prepare you for a career in your area of study. You may choose to continue your university studies to earn a graduate degree in a particular area such as law or medicine, a Master's degree, or a PhD (Doctorate). You may also choose to attend college to pursue a more specialized education. Workplace You may choose to go to work directly after high school. You will receive on-the-job training and may decide to remain in the workforce. You may also choose to return to school at a later date for further education and training. High schools offer programs to prepare you for the world of work. Specific courses provide you with the opportunity to learn the essential skills necessary for the workplace. |
Period | Course Information | Notes |
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Period 1 |
FSF1P-03 Rm: 127 French M. L. Senghor |
Subject |
Period 2 |
CGC1P-01 Rm: 211 Geog. Of Canada Ms. J. Baret |
Room number |
Lunch | ||
Period 3 |
MPM1D-02 Rm: 308 Math Ms. K. Johnson |
Teacher's name |
Period 4 |
AVI1O-01 Rm: 131 Visual Art Mr. N. Morisseau |
Course code |
Period | Course Information | Notes |
---|---|---|
Period 1 |
FSF1P-03 Rm: 127 French M. L. Senghor |
Period length will vary |
Period 2 |
CGC1P-01 Rm: 211 Geog. Of Canada Ms. J. Baret |
Section number |
Period 3 |
ENG1P-04 Rm: 122 English Ms. J. Han |
|
Period 4 |
MFM1P-02 Rm: 213 Math Ms. K. Johnson |
|
Lunch | ||
Period 5 |
AVI1O-01 Rm: 101 Visual Art Mr. N. Morisseau |
|
Period 6 |
SNC1L-01 Rm: 256 Science Ms. J. Goodall |
|
Period 7 |
PPL1O-03 Rm: GYM Heal Act Liv Ms. S. Williams |
|
Period 8 |
BTT1O-02 Rm: 221 Info. Tech Mr. J. Dorsey |