Joanne Brown Guidance Head, Maple High School “Home of Scholars, Leaders, Athletes and Artists”

Transition Activities: Introduction to a Year of Choices & Decisions – Early October Take Our Gr 8’s to High School – November 4, 2015 Regional Program Application Deadlines – October/November Grade 8 Parent Info Night – December 10, 2015 Course Selection with Career Cruising – January/February

Transition Activities, cont’d: ESL Assessments and IPRC meetings – January/February Student Ambassadors Visit Grade 8’s – mid April Student Success meetings – May Final Transition Activity – May/June

Why come to Maple HS? “Home of Scholars, Leaders, Athletes and Artists” Academic excellence Leadership opportunities Athletic pursuits Artistic endeavours Specialist High Skills Major programs (SHSM) Experiential learning Superior Broad-based Technology programs

TYPEENVIRONMENTLEARNER Locally Developed Guided approach to learning using practical examples and concrete objects. Needs additional support to build skills up to grade level. Applied Step by step approach using practical examples in a teacher directed environment. Enjoys learning by doing and benefits from a structured, teacher directed setting. Academic (including Advanced Placement) Theoretical and independent approach to learning with a focus on abstract thinking and application skills. Enjoys learning independently and going beyond the related learning; self motivated. Open An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students. Available to all students

Advanced Placement (AP) What? completion of examinations beyond the regular Grade 12 course content exams are set by the College Entrance Board in New Jersey, U.S.A. courses are designed to provide students with background and knowledge equivalent to a first-year university course allow students the opportunity for enriched, intensive study in one or more subjects of interest and strength – Grade 9 and 10 is “pre” Advanced Placement courses are recognized by many Canadian and International universities as advanced standing for first-year study in specific courses Where? Maple High School Eligibility? Students should be strong in the subject area they wish to take AP level courses in and should have strong independent work skills and time management skills Application/Registration Process? Students must submit the completed GLEAM application by January 29, 2016 and select the AP courses on their course selection

ARTS Programs What? comprehensive arts programming in dance, drama, music and visual arts students earning a minimum of eight credits will be eligible to receive a YRDSB “Certificate of Specialization in the Arts” to be presented at graduation Where? West Area ARTS Program - Westmount CI, Bathurst & New Westminster Eligibility? Admission for all Secondary Arts Programs for Grade 9 occurs through an audition (dance, drama, music) and/or portfolio presentation (visual arts) each January. Application/Registration Process? Information evening on October 14 at Vaughan City Playhouse next to Westmount CI - need to RSVP for info session Applications for the program of choice are due December 5, 2015 Application forms are available on Westmount CI website at

Bill Crothers SS Sports Programs (BCSS) What? – two available programs based on involvement in sports: Sport For Life Student Athlete High Performance Athlete Profile A balanced school year calendar will be followed – school begins August 1 Where? Bill Crothers SS, Unionville (407 & Kennedy Road) Eligibility? Students must meet the criteria of either the Sport For Life Student Athlete Profile or the High Performance Athlete Profile through an application and interview. Application/Registration Process? Information evenings – October 7, 13 and 15 at BCSS Applications due November 6, 2015 Application available October 17 th on BCSS website at

French Immersion What? Students in the French Immersion program take one third of their course requirements (10 credits) in French Upon successful completion of the program, students are granted a Certificate in French Immersion Studies. Where? Vaughan Secondary School, Dufferin & Clark Streets Eligibility? May enter the secondary FI program only from the elementary FI program Application/Registration Process? Students who do not wish to continue in the FI program and wish to return to their local community high school are asked to notify their FI elementary school in writing.

Gifted Program What? Gifted programming is available in Grades 9 and 10 only, to students with an IPRC identification Where? Maple High School Eligibility? Student must have a Gifted identification through an IPRC and must have been accessing Gifted programming during elementary school Application/Registration Process? Students who do not wish to continue in the Gifted program and wish to return to their local community high school, or attend one of the Regional programs, must go through an IPRC to change their placement. Please contact the Special Education Resource Teacher at the elementary school.

International Baccalaureate (IB) What? an alternative program where students complete their OSSD and work toward an IB diploma or certificate(s) recognized internationally as a demanding pre-university course of study designed for students aged 16 to 19 (Grades 11 and 12) who are committed to completing courses and external examinations in six different subject areas – English, French, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics), Humanities (History or Economics), and Arts (Music, Drama or Visual Arts); as well as an extended essay (EE), 150 Creativity, Action and Service volunteer hours, and a Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course to prepare for the diploma program in grades 11 and 12, students will begin in the pre-IB program in grades 9 and 10. Where? Bayview SS, Major Mackenzie & Bayview

Eligibility? Profile of an IB Student - Interested in internationalism University-bound Well-rounded A leader A high achiever A volunteer and a giver Someone who wants to take control of his or her education Application/Registration Process? IB Information and Application meeting – October 29, 2015 Pre-IB Assessment Test (for entry into Grade 9 in September 2016) – Saturday, November 21, 2015 – assessment of English, French and Math skills at the Grade 8 level - all multiple choice questions. Information available on the Bayview SS website at

Transfer Process An official transfer request must be completed if a student wishes to attend a school that is NOT their local community high school. This does not include any other YRDSB Regional program. Does not apply if the student and parents are physically moving to the other school’s boundary area. Transfer request must be submitted to the local community high school at the time that the registration and course selections forms are due (late January).

Transfer Process, cont’d Transfer forms are signed by the “sending” principal and taken to the board’s Transfer meeting. Depending on YRDSB parameters (some schools are “closed” to transfers), “receiving” principals and superintendants sign the form if the transfer is accepted. The “receiving” school will contact the student to confirm the transfer and confirm the course selections. The student will be removed from the rolls of the “sending” school.

Who to contact with questions: Your son/daughter’s Grade 8 teacher Maple High School Head of Guidance – Joanne Brown