A Grade 8 Parent’s Information Session on “Pathway Planning for High School”

Understanding Course Codes ALL COURSES AT SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE CODED WITH 6 DIGITS. The first three digits represent the abbreviated title of the SUBJECT. For example, ENG = English or MFM= Foundations of Math The last three digits represent the grade and program For example, 1D0 = Grade 9 Academic or 2P0 = Grade 10 Applied

Understanding the 5th DIGIT in a Course Code GRADES 9 & 10 GRADES 11 & 12 POST SECONDARY ENG 1D0 ENG 2D0 ENG 3U0 ENG 4U0 University or College D = Academic Program U = University Program ENG 1P0 ENG 2P0 ENG 3C0 ENG 4C0 College P = Applied Program C = College Program AVI 1O0 AVI 2O0 AVI 3M0 AVI 4M0 University or College O = Open M = University/College (Mixed)

Grade 9 Compulsory Courses @ SLSS 1. English ENG 1D/1P 2. Math (Principles) MPM 1D (Foundations) MFM 1P 3. Science SNC 1D/1P 4. Geography CGC 1D/1P 5. Learning Strategies GLS 1O 6. Physical Education (Female) PPL 1OF (Male) PPL 1OM French* FSF 1D/1P * ESL students and/or students with identified learning challenges are exempt from French.

Grade 9 Elective Courses @ SLSS 8. A Grade 9 Elective Course will be selected from ONE of the following: The Arts: Drama ADA 1O Instrumental Music (Beginner Band - No previous experience) AMU 1O (Experienced Band - Previous experience)* AMI 1O Visual Arts AVI 1O Business Studies: Intro. to Info. Tech. in Business BTT 1O Social Studies & Humanities: Exploring Family Studies HIF 10 Technological Education: Exploring Technologies TIJ 1O Grade 9 Elective Courses @ SLSS All Grade 9 students must choose one elective course. Access the SLSS website, under Student Services, for details on: course descriptions Prerequisites* deadlines for selecting courses http://stephenlewis.peelschools.org

The SKY is the LIMIT when it comes to CHOOSING ELECTIVES!

Explore Gr 9 & 10 ELECTIVE POSSIBILITIES Not Requiring Prerequisites* THE ARTS BUSINESS SOCIAL STUDIES & HUMANITIES TECHNOLOGY Drama Gr. 9 & 10 Intro to Info Tech in Business Gr. 9 Visual Arts Gr. 9 & 10 Exploring Technologies Gr. 9 Exploring Family Studies Gr. 9 Computer Technology Gr. 10 Music Beginner Band Gr. 9 Guitar Gr. 10 Technological Design Gr.10 Food & Nutrition Gr. 10 Intro to Business Gr. 10 Transportation Technology Gr. 10 * All Grade 9 Students must select ONE Grade 9 Elective from the one of four (4) areas of study listed above. However, in Grade 10 students can choose an elective in any of the 4 areas of study listed above without completing the Grade 9 prerequisite.

English as Second Language (ESL) Students An ESL Student’s English Language Learning Pathway The Peel Board’s Welcome the World assessment: evaluates and identifies English language learners communication strengths in reading, writing and speaking. places the student into one of the following steps: A,B,C,D, or E. An ESL student must complete: the identified placement step and each sequential step before he or she can transfer into a regular English course. Depending upon his/her strength in the final step (ESL E), a student will be placed into either: a Grade 10 Applied (P-coded) course or a Grade 10 Academic (D- coded) course. ESL students do not have to study French at high school. SUPPORT/PLACEMENT Step 1 = ESL A Step 2 = ESL B Step 3 = ESL C Step 4 = ESL D Step 5 = ESL E Step 6 = Grade 10 English Grade 10 ENGLISH ESL E ESL D ESL C ESL B ESL A

PATHWAY PLANS TO UNIVERSITY ARE NOT ALWAYS LINEAR! … sometimes the pathway will point the student to the traditional direct route to university. … other times the pathway will require the student to take multiple routes directing him/her to the same desired destination - university. Collaborative (University & College) Gr 11 University Coded (U) University Gr 12 University Coded (U) Gr 10 Academic Coded (D) College Gr 11-12 University (U) & College (C) Coded Gr 9 Academic Coded (D) DIRECT PATHWAY TO UNVERSITY Gr 9-10 Academic (D) & Applied (P) Coded

Transferring from an Applied to Academic ENGLISH Program Scenario #1: Grade 9 Applied ENGLISH student with High Average or Teacher Recommendation seeks to enrol in Academic Program Scenario #2: Grade 9 Applied ENGLISH student with Low Average still wants to enrol in Academic Program ENG 1P0 (< 80%) ENG 2P0 (Gr 10, Semester 1) ENG 2D0 (Gr 10, Semester 2) “This student will need to complete two (2) semesters of Grade 10 English ( Applied & Academic) to prepare for the Grade 11 University U-coded course that requires extensive reading, analytical writing and individual oral presentations.” ENG 1P0 (> 80%) ENG 2D0 “The transition to Grade 10 Academic will require the student to apply his/her language strengths in English reading, writing and speaking to maintain the “A” average he/she achieved in Grade 9 Applied.”

Transitioning from an Applied to Academic Math Program Scenario #1: Grade 9 Applied Math Student seeks to study math at University Scenario #2: Grade 9 Applied Math Student seeks to transfer to the Academic Program before Grade 12 MFM 1P0 MFM 2P0 MCF 3M0 Gr. 11, Semester 1 MCT 4C0 Gr. 11, Semester 2 MHF 4U0 MFM 1P0 MPM 1H1 ( A 2 week Summer School Course) MPM 2D0 MCR 3U0 MHF 4U0 “MFM 1H0 is a two week transition course in math. This transition does not fully cover all the Grade 9 content. A student whose Grade 9 math mark was not high should seriously consider Scenario #1.” “A student who successfully completes all these math courses will be fully prepared to enrol in Advanced Functions (MHF 4U0) in his/her 4th year at SLSS.”

Academic Versus Applied Programming Academic Courses Applied Courses are theoretical and abstract based student should be working at a Level 3 or 70% of above student should have strong self- regulation and independent skills to complete outside the classroom larger classes are practical and hands-on student should be working at a Level 2 or 60% or better smaller classes

Help Open Doors to Your Teen’s Future! “The 21st century student has access to many pathway destinations… let’s work as a team to help your teen choose the right door to open!” SLSS’s Student Services strongly recommends: students select courses that ensure their success parents work along-side their sons and daughters to become better informed as to the many pathway options available at high school and post secondary. Visit www.myblueprint.ca/peel to learn more about future options for your son or daughter.