School Programs

Specialized High School programs in Ontario

female student with laptop — *Halton Region Special Curriculum*

School boards in Ontario provide a rich assortment of special programs for students.

Some programs are Ministry of Education approved, and are available across all school boards in the province. Others are unique to their individual school board.

School Boards covered in this article include the Halton District School Board, the Halton Catholic District School Board, the Peel District School Board, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, the Conseil scolaire Viamonde, and the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.

Here is a summary of some of the course offerings available both provincially and in Halton and Peel regions. First, some of the provincially sponsored offerings:

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

The Advanced Placement Program (AP) is a program designed to give high school students a first year college/university course experience. AP courses cover the same curriculum as non-AP grade 12 courses, but with additional content that provides extra academic challenges for students.

Dual Credits (DC)

The Dual Credit program is intended to assist high school students in completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and making a successful transition to college.

Students participate in college or university courses and apprenticeship programs to earn dual credits that count towards their OSSD and their post-secondary diploma, degree or apprenticeship certification.

Dual credit students get a taste of college life, learning and a potential career pathway.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Classes to help people learn English and upgrade their academic and English language skills.

Program includes English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development(ELD) support for:

students born outside Canada from a non-English speaking country
students born in Canada who speak a second language or dialect
recently arrived students who need to upgrade or develop their academic and language skills

French Language Instruction

French language instruction is provided at three levels.

1.) Core French

All students in grades 4 to 8 study French as a Second Language for 200 minutes per week. Students in Core French develop a basic usable command of French.

In high school, students need one core French language credit to earn their diploma.

2.) Extended French

The Extended French program is another way for students to pursue learning opportunities in French. This program starts in grade 7 and provides another French Immersion opportunity for students.

Students spend half of their school day studying language arts, social studies and science in French. In high school, students take four credits in Extended French and three credits in other subjects taught in French. Upon completion, students in EF receive a Certificate of Extended French Studies at graduation.

3.) French Immersion

French Immersion provides students with an opportunity to learn in the French language.

From grades 1 to 8, FI students spend 50 per cent of their daily instruction learning in French and the other half learning in English. Students work towards achieving French proficiency while continuing to develop English language skills.

From grades 9 to 12, students are required to complete 10 credits in French, including the sequence of four courses in French Immersion and a minimum of six courses in other subjects taught in French.

Upon completion, students in French Immersion receive a Certificate of French Immersion Studies at graduation.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a worldwide, nonprofit education program founded to give all students the opportunity to receive an enhanced education with a global outlook.

The IB organization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Select schools in Canada are accredited to offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

There are four IB educational programs, all of which are intended to develop students’ intellectual, emotional, personal and social skills.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a Ministry approved province-wide program which offers full-time secondary school students in grades 11 and 12 the opportunity to train as skilled apprentices while still enrolled in high school.

OYAP allows students to complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) while gaining apprenticeship training at the same time. Students will acquire a Certificate of Qualification with journeyperson status in a skilled trade.

An apprenticeship is a hands-on program for people who want to work in a skilled trade and who enjoy learning by doing. More than 156 trade specialties exist, including automotive, construction, manufacturing, and service industries.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows grade 11 and 12 students to focus their learning on a specific sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school.

SHSM also assists in their transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace.

Regional Learning Choices Program (RLCP)

In addition to the programs that are available province-wide, many regions and school boards in the province offer their own special courses.

For example, the Regional Learning Choices Program (RLCP) is an umbrella of additional courses available through the Peel District School Board. Here you will find an additional layer of specialized instruction that gives students even more opportunity to develop and explore skills in their particular area of interest.

The Peel board provides secondary students from across Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon with 11 different secondary RLCPs, including:

Regional Arts Program & Regional Arts Schools

The specialized arts program is a four-year arts program for students who are committed to exploring and deepening their understanding, skills, and experiences in the arts.

The program offers a package of specialized arts credits (two per year) that count towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (O.S.S.D.). Students will receive a certificate upon completion.

Focus can be music, voice, drama, and visual arts. This program is available at designated Regional Arts Schools, including Cawthra Park and Iona in Mississauga, and Mayfield Secondary in Caledon, and St. Roch and St. Thomas Aquinas in Brampton.

Graphic & Design Management (GDM)

The Graphic & Design Management (GDM) program is a highly specialized curriculum that focuses on the many areas related to design such as graphic, fashion, architecture, video game design and animation, interior design, urban design, industrial design, engineering, and packaging design.

Currently GDM is only offered at a single high school in Peel Region, TL Kennedy Secondary School in Mississauga.

Students gain experience in all aspects of the design industry with guest speakers and field trips relevant to their post-secondary pathway.

International and Executive Leadership

The International and Executive Leadership program is designed to develop active and engaged citizens in the global community. This program teaches students to be the leaders of the 21st century by teaching responsibility and developing their personal, civic, community and global leadership skills.

Students participate in experiential learning opportunities, including the planning and administration of local and community events.

International Business and Technology Program (IBT)

The International, Business and Technology Program gives students In grades nine and ten a foundation in international studies, business and technology courses.

Strings Program

The Strings program is part of the Regional Learning Choices Program (RLCP), and is available at two secondary schools in Peel Region – Central Peel Secondary School in Brampton, and Port Credit Secondary School in Mississauga.

It provides students, from beginner to highly advanced, with the opportunity to study a string instrument. Violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruction is offered.

The various RLCP programs are open to all eligible students in the Regional Municipality of Peel, except for foreign students who are here on a visa. Those here on work or study permits may apply. The entry point for all RLCP programs is grade 9.

Halton Pathways Program

Halton Region has their own special program umbrella called Pathways. Pathways offers many of the provincially available programs mentioned above, plus an additional group of regional courses, including:

I-STEM Program

I-STEM is a regional program for high school students in grades 9-12 in Halton. Students in this four-year program develop skills related to engineering design and design thinking, entrepreneurial thinking skills and global competencies.

Students enrolled in the I-STEM Program learn to be prepared for technological change and disruption, globalization and shifting demographics.

High Schools offering the I-STEM program include Aldershot High School in Burlington, Elsie MacGill Secondary School in Milton, and TA Blakelock High School in Oakville.

Conclusion

Ontario provides a rich assortment of specialized programs that can enhance the educational experience of elementary and high school students. Among the courses and programs offered in high schools in Ontario are advanced academics, the arts, and career-oriented special skills job placement opportunities.