1. CHOOSING COURSES FOR 2015/2016 GRADE 11 AND GRADE 12 Brooks Secondary School

2. COURSE SELECTION PROCESS Attend Course Selection Information session during FLEX block (March 4, 2015). Explore careers and post-secondary requirements. www.educationplanner.ca www.careercruising.com Select courses (required, electives, and alternates) and discuss selections with your parents/guardians. Have parent/guardian sign the Course Selection Sheet and return to the counsellors during minute meetings with the school counsellors. (Grade 10s during B block and Grade 11s during A block next week).

3. WHY IS COURSE SELECTION SO IMPORTANT?  The decisions and choices you make determine which courses run next year.  When selecting courses you are indicating a commitment to include the course(s) in your educational plan for next year.  Not all courses in the Course Selection Handbook will be offered. Insufficient enrolment will result in courses being cancelled.  Your alternate choices are important if this happens to a course of your choice.

4. WHAT YOU NEED TO GRADUATE A minimum of 20 courses in Grade 10-12:  12 courses from required courses  at least 7 courses from elective courses  Graduation Transitions  4 courses must be at the Grade 12 level

6. TIMETABLES GRADE 11  Language Arts 11  Social Studies 11  Math 11  Science 11  Elective GRADE 12  Language Arts 12  Elective

7. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH COURSES TO CHOOSE?  Think about your future plans.  Do some research.  Explore your options.  Stay flexible.

8. WHAT DO I NEED TO THINK ABOUT?  the elective courses and programs that you would like to take at the high school level  some courses/programs require a separate application (ex. Community Service 11/12 or the CMA program)  the programs available at various post-secondary institutions that you might be interested in  it’s okay not to know exactly what career you want to have  it is important, though, to think about the possibilities and start planning for them  most post-secondary programs have high school prerequisites

9. WHAT DO I NEED TO THINK ABOUT? CONT...  research math requirements for various programs and post- secondary institutions  Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 11/12  Foundations of Mathematics 11/12  Pre-calculus 11/12  research English requirements for various programs and post- secondary institutions  English 11/12  Communications 11/12

10. WHAT DO I NEED TO THINK ABOUT? CONT...  If you’re going into Grade 11, decide on a Science 11 course:  Biology 11  Chemistry 11  Earth Science 11  Physics 11  Science and Technology 11

12. SHATTERING MYTHS: MYTH: Only certain types of people go to post-secondary education.  People from all socio-economic and academic backgrounds go to post-secondary. For example, government programs do not expect any contribution from families who earn less than $50, 000 and provide the maximum amount of aid. "Shattering Myths." Perspectives: Getting an Inside Look At Post-Secondary. Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.

13. DOES MORE EDUCATION MEAN MORE CAREER EARNINGS? More education means greater earnings over a year’s time. Over the length of one’s working life, these differences become enormous.

14. SHATTERING MYTHS MYTH: Everyone should choose a job/career that pays a lot of money. Annual earnings is just one measure. Need to think about other measures: -interests and personality -working conditions -employment prospects -qualifications "SHATTERING MYTHS." PERSPECTIVES: GETTING AN INSIDE LOOK AT POST-SECONDARY. CANADA MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION.

15. SHATTERING MYTHS: MYTH: If I make all of these decisions about my future now, I will be locked into something I’m not sure about.  “The average student across North America will change their major three times.”  Education and career readiness is “a process you navigate and not a correct answer you find” (BCCAT). "Shattering Myths." Perspectives: Getting an Inside Look At Post-Secondary. Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.

16. SHATTERING MYTHS: MYTH: Certain schools and programs are better than others.  Each post-secondary institution is different (“different” does not equal “better”).  Investigate each school to find a match that will work for your values and goals. "Shattering Myths." Perspectives: Getting an Inside Look At Post-Secondary. Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.

17. VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY Bachelor of Science (Nursing) ► high school diploma ► a C+ in Chemistry 11 ► a C+ in Pre-Calculus 11 or Foundations Math 12 ► a C+ in Biology 12 ► a C+ in English 12 Criminology Diploma ► high school diploma ► a C+ in English 12 ► a C in Foundations Math 11 *Information valid in April 2014

18. UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA SOCIAL SCIENCES English 11 Pre-Calculus 11 or Foundations Math 11 approved Science 11 Social Studies 11 English 12 three approved academic Grade 12 courses ENGINEERING English 11 Pre-calculus 11 Chemistry 11 Physics 11 Social Studies 11 English 12 Physics 12 Pre-calculus 12 (73% or higher) approved academic 12 course *Information valid in April 2014

19. JOBS Bank Teller ► high school diploma ► certificate/diploma in related field Suggested Courses: ► math/finances ► business ► accounting Veterinary Assistant ► high school diploma ► diploma in related field Suggested Courses: ► senior math ► senior biology ► senior chemistry

20. COURSE HANDBOOK The Course Handbook and more information about the course selection process are available on the Brooks website: www.sd47.bc.ca/school/brooks/

21. SCHOOL COUNSELLORS Mr. Marciniak (A – L) Tony.Marciniak@sd47.bc.ca Mrs. Burt (M – Z) Allison.Burt@sd47.bc.ca Mr. Brach (International Students) Gerry.Brach@sd47.bc.ca Mr. Palm (Career Coordinator) James.Palm@sd47.bc.ca