PREPARING FOR GRADE NINE Welcome to Nelson High School!

Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements 1 course = 1 credit 18 compulsory credits 18 compulsory credits 12 optional credits 12 optional credits 40 hours of community involvement 40 hours of community involvement pass the Grade 10 literacy test pass the Grade 10 literacy test

Compulsory Credits (Total 18) 4 English credits (1 credit per grade) 3 Math credits (at least 1 credit in grade 11 or 12) 3 Math credits (at least 1 credit in grade 11 or 12) 2 Science credits 2 Science credits 1 French credit 1 French credit 1 Canadian Geography credit 1 Canadian Geography credit 1 Canadian History credit 1 Canadian History credit 1 Arts credit 1 Arts credit 1 Healthy Active Living credit (Phys Ed) 1 Healthy Active Living credit (Phys Ed) ½ Civics and ½ Careers credit (taken in Grade 10) ½ Civics and ½ Careers credit (taken in Grade 10)

Compulsory Credits Cont’d PLUS: 1 additional credit in English, or French as a second language, 3 rd Language, Social Sciences and the Humanities or Canadian and World Studies or Guidance and Career Education or Co-operative Education. (Group 1) 1 additional credit in English, or French as a second language, 3 rd Language, Social Sciences and the Humanities or Canadian and World Studies or Guidance and Career Education or Co-operative Education. (Group 1) 1 additional credit in Healthy Active Living, the Arts, Business Studies, French as a second language, or Co-operative Education (Group 2) 1 additional credit in Healthy Active Living, the Arts, Business Studies, French as a second language, or Co-operative Education (Group 2) 1 additional credit in Science (Gr. 11 or 12), Technological Studies (Gr. 9-12), French as a second language, or Co-operative Education (Group 3) 1 additional credit in Science (Gr. 11 or 12), Technological Studies (Gr. 9-12), French as a second language, or Co-operative Education (Group 3)

Optional Credits (Total 12) In addition to18 compulsory credits, students must earn 12 optional credits Optional credits are courses of your choice Optional credits are courses of your choice They allow students to build an educational program based on their individual interests They allow students to build an educational program based on their individual interests They help students meet university, college or apprenticeship requirements They help students meet university, college or apprenticeship requirements

Sample Student Timetable (4 years) Grade 9 English Math Science Geog. French PE Bus. or Tech An Art Grade 10 English Math Science History Civics.5 Career.5 Optional Grade 11 English Math Optional Optional Grade 12 English Optional

Grade 9 Course Selection Compulsory EnglishEnglish MathematicsMathematics ScienceScience FrenchFrench GeographyGeography Healthy Active LivingHealthy Active Living Business or Technology*Business or Technology*Optional Visual ArtsVisual Arts Dramatic ArtsDramatic Arts Instrumental MusicInstrumental Music Vocal MusicVocal Music Select only one of the above

The Difference Between Academic and Applied AppliedAcademic Applied courses cover the essential Academic courses cover the essential concepts of a subjectconcepts of a subject (greater depth) Knowledge and skills are developedKnowledge and skills are developed through both theory and practicalthrough both theory and practical applicationapplication Emphasis will be on practicalEmphasis will be on theory application Concept development based more Concept development based more on familiar, real life situationson abstract thinking Faster pacing than Applied, so more material covered

Strengths of the Learner Academic and Applied AppliedAcademic Capable ReaderReads and comprehends well Reads for a specific purposeEnjoys and values reading Completes tasks in directedCompletes tasks independently environment Enjoys learning by doing and byEnjoys learning by doing and by some theoretical workextensive theoretical work Recognizes the need for, and completes, daily homework Benefits from more structureBenefits from more independence

Academic and Applied Course Selection Courses are not taken as a package dealCourses are not taken as a package deal Individual courses can be taken at the level most appropriate for the success of the learnerIndividual courses can be taken at the level most appropriate for the success of the learner The most successful students are engaged, confident and enjoying the learning processThe most successful students are engaged, confident and enjoying the learning process

Post Secondary Pathways ApprenticeshipApprenticeship CollegeCollege UniversityUniversity WorkplaceWorkplace The Halton District School Board recognizes all Post Secondary pathways as valid and equal options for graduates.

Math “ Keeping the Doors Open” Myth Those College/University programs that have math prerequisites most often require great success in these courses (i.e. 75 – 80+%)!Those College/University programs that have math prerequisites most often require great success in these courses (i.e. 75 – 80+%)! Many College/University programs have no math prerequisite. (You can still go to Coll./Univ. without math!)Many College/University programs have no math prerequisite. (You can still go to Coll./Univ. without math!) Struggling in a math course at an inappropriate level (e.g., with 50-60% or less) may hamper post-secondary plans and cause mathematical and emotional stressStruggling in a math course at an inappropriate level (e.g., with 50-60% or less) may hamper post-secondary plans and cause mathematical and emotional stress Students with 14 or fewer credits (i.e. 2 failures) by the end of Grade 10 are 50% less likely to graduate from high school - Alan King Report, 2002Students with 14 or fewer credits (i.e. 2 failures) by the end of Grade 10 are 50% less likely to graduate from high school - Alan King Report, 2002 Keeping doors open means choosing pathways that lead to success, not the "highest" pathway.Keeping doors open means choosing pathways that lead to success, not the "highest" pathway.

Math and English Pathways The level of grade 9 Math and English should be chosen based on a student’s likelihood of being successful at that levelThe level of grade 9 Math and English should be chosen based on a student’s likelihood of being successful at that level The elementary school teacher’s recommendation is a strong indicator of the potential for success at a given levelThe elementary school teacher’s recommendation is a strong indicator of the potential for success at a given level Based on their success, students can move between levels (may involve summer school)Based on their success, students can move between levels (may involve summer school) College and University are not mutually exclusive - transfer agreements exist in both directionsCollege and University are not mutually exclusive - transfer agreements exist in both directions

NELSON HIGH SCHOOL “Over 50 Years of Excellence”