Q. What is the difference between essential, applied and academic courses?
A. Essential courses are designed to assist students who require additional academic support in Math, Science or English. They prepare students for workplace level courses in grades 11 and 12.
Applied courses focus on essential concepts and emphasize “practical applications”. They prepare students for college or workplace level courses in grades 11 and 12.
Academic courses put a greater emphasis on theory and cover additional material. They prepare students for university or college level courses in grades 11 and 12.
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Q. Can a student switch from academic courses in grade 9 to applied courses in grade 10 or from applied courses in grade 9 to academic courses in grade 10?
A. It is possible to switch from an academic course in grade 9 to the applied course in grade 10 in each of the subject areas. It is possible to switch from an applied course in grade 9 to the academic course in grade 10 in each subject area except Math, provided the student has performed exceptionally well at the applied level. It is NOT possible to switch from applied grade 9 Math to academic grade 10 Math. The grade 9 academic Math course must be completed first.
Q. Do all compulsory courses have to be taken at the same level (for example, all academic or all applied)?
A. No. A mix of levels may be taken. Students may have more academic strength in one subject area compared to another.
Q. Once the semester has started, if a student discovers that the course level chosen is not appropriate (too easy or too difficult), can the student change to the more appropriate level?
A. Consultation between student, parent, Guidance Counsellor and teacher will determine if the change is appropriate, however, many factors affect whether or not it is actually possible. These factors include: at what point in the semester in the change is being requested, class sizes and timetabling issues (does it fit into the students current timetable?). Therefore, such changes are not always possible so it is extremely important to carefully consider the level chosen for each subject at course selection time.
Q. If a student has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) in Elementary School will this continue in High School?
A. This will be determined on an individual basis in meetings with each feeder school in the spring.