1. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Course Selection Planning For Grade What you need to know to get you where you want to go!
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Choose Now! Your completed form is due back by……(fill in your school deadline)
Students who submit late forms may not be able to have the courses of their choice.

2. Course Selections Require Planning and Teacher Support
Choose Wisely! Know your strengths, limitations and interests.
Seek Advice! From teachers, guidance, and parents.

3. Remember that Full Disclosure applies to you!
The Ontario Student Transcript provides a record of a student’s overall achievement in high school and is required by post-secondary institutions to assess admission to their programs
In grades 9 & 10, only successfully completed courses appear on your transcript
In grades 11 & 12, a list of ALL courses taken or attempted, with the percentage grade, will appear on your transcript

4. Full Time Student Status
Students are required to carry a full-time course load.
This means Grade 9-11 students must carry eight courses (four in each semester with no spares) (amend to reflect your school)
Grade 12 students must carry a minimum of six courses (three in each semester)

5. Who Am I? Academic strengths/limitations Part-time work Volunteer work
Interests/hobbies
Your successes
Cooperative education experiences
School activities/clubs/teams

6. Where am I going?
Post-secondary destination? Work, College, University, Apprenticeship, Training, etc.
Exploration of ALL of the possibilities that exist after high school – use of guidance resources and technology to search for interesting programs/work/activities.
Awareness of admission requirements for possible destinations.
Awareness of labour market trends.

7. How do I get there?
Educational planning – choosing the appropriate courses for your destination.
Consultation with liaison personnel from the institutions or work places you are interested in.
Consultation with guidance.
Consultation with parents/guardians.
Hard work and perseverance!

8. Resources that can help...
Ontario College Guide
INFO - guide to Ontario Universities
Individual college and university calendars
Apprenticeship pamphlets and documents
Internet resources
Guidance services at school

9. Reminder – O.S.S. Diploma Requirements
30 credits
18 compulsory credits
12 optional credits
40 hours of community involvement
Provincial grade 10 test of reading and writing which you will write next fall

10. Compulsory credits completed in Grade 9
English
Math
French
Science
Geography
Physical Education

11. Compulsory Credits 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
1 credit in French as a second language
3 credits in mathematics (at least 1 in grade 11 or 12)
2 credits in science
1 credit in Canadian history
1 credit in Canadian geography
1 credit in the arts (music, art, drama, or dance)
1 credit in health and physical education
1/2 credit in civics & 1/2 credit in career studies (grade 10)
Plus…..

12. Compulsory Credits cont….
Plus:
Group 1: 1 additional credit in English, or a third language, or a social science, or Canadian and world studies
Group 2: 1 additional credit in health and physical education, or business studies, or the arts (music, art, drama)
Group 3: 1 additional credit in science (grade 11 or 12) or technological education (grades 9-12)

13. Compulsory credits you may have completed…
Group 1 – Social Science: if you took Individual and Family Living
Group 2 – Business Studies: if you took Information Technology in Business
Group 2 – A 2nd arts credit if you took two arts credits in grade 9
Group 3 – Technological Studies: if you took Integrated Technologies

14. Tracking your Diploma Requirements
Use your credit counselling summary (found on the back of your course request form)
Be sure to include courses from each of the three groups in your selections

15. Course Types in Gr. 11/12 C – college destination
E – workplace destination
M – university/college
U – university destination
O – open
Transfer courses – to bridge the gap between 2 course types; partial credit granted; offered through Continuing Education department of our board usually in summer school

16. The Destinations
Students in Ontario have many options for post secondary training.
You can choose from 28 colleges, 19 universities, hundreds of private career colleges and over 140 apprenticeship opportunities.

17. Workplace, Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades Destination
TDSB offers the OYAP program – students earn high school credits and hours towards their apprenticeship in a trade.
These high demand, highly skilled, highly practical careers are now referred to as “Gold Collar Careers”since many of the trades have average salaries well above $50,000 per year.
Students need to pay more attention to this destination as a powerful means of obtaining practical experience and skills.
For more information, contact your Community Based Education teacher or career centre at GHCI

18. College Destination
Community college programs provide a valuable combination of academic and practical/technical skills training for a specific career
There are almost 600 programs to choose from at Ontario’s community colleges including Business Administration, Biomedical Technology, Computer Animation, Engineering Technology, Paramedic, and Social Worker

19. University/College
Program links between colleges and universities are increasing dramatically.
Many colleges and universities are offering joint programs that will provide students with both the theoretical and practical skills required for their career and earn them a degree and a diploma in four years.
Applied degree programs are now granted by many colleges and universities. Lots of opportunities for transferability between colleges and universities exist.

20. University Destination
University programs provide theoretical academic training
In general, there are 5 main types of programs at most universities:
Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences
Life/Health Sciences
Physical/Engineering Sciences
Business/Commerce
Professional Programs

21. Prerequisite Planning
Courses in Grade 11 & 12 may have prerequisites
Flowcharts are available in the course calendar outlining prerequisites for each discipline
Colleges, universities and other post-secondary institutions also have prerequisites for their programs

22. Workplace Destination
Remember we are all going to work but we enter the workforce at different times in our lives!
There are many viable entry-level job opportunities for students who have completed their OSSD and have workplace experiences. Students who are fast-tracking into the workforce/community directly after high school should:
work with guidance, community-based education, subject teachers, employment centres to create a career portfolio (resume, cover letters, letters of reference, successes, etc.) to present to prospective employers, and,
be aware that cooperative education is an important component of workplace preparation.

23. College Admission Guidelines
High school diploma + possibly additional requirements such as interview, English entrance test, portfolio, etc.
“C” &/or “U/C” type courses can be used for admission;
College Technology programs require academic Gr. 10 math
Health/Science programs may require Gr. 12 Math.
Consult specific college programs for entrance requirements.

24. University Admissions
High school diploma required.
Minimum overall average of 60% in 6 Gr. 12 “U” or “U/C” courses (most have much higher admission averages).
Universities have published their program prerequisites (web sites, handbooks and Info magazine).

25. Get Support from Home Have conversations about future goals.
Get parents/guardians familiar with OSS diploma requirements.
Let parent/guardians take an active part in your Annual Education Planning process.
Become familiar with the vast array of possibilities after high school.
Get involved in community activities.

26. Final words of advice...
Remember that you can take longer than 4 years to complete your high school diploma if necessary.
Current decisions can be changed - as you learn more about yourself you may want to change your destination through transfer courses
Take courses for which you have the academic preparation and make realistic decisions.
Work hard and be optimistic about your future!