1. Welcome to John Fraser S.S.
Pathways to Success in High School
2018
Ms. Leigh McComb
Head of Guidance and Co-op

2. JFSS Schedule Two semesters in the school year
September – January
February – June
Students take 4 courses each semester
Balanced timetable in grade 9 = 3 compulsory subjects + 1 elective in each semester
Day 1 / Day 2 Schedule
Day 1 (odd days, e.g. Oct. 23rd)
Day 2 (even days, e.g. Oct. 24th)

3. A High School Diploma OSSD: 1 course = 1 credit 30 credits to graduate
18 compulsory
12 optional
Develop valuable skills based on interests
Learn about self
Community involvement (40 hours)
Literacy requirement
Grade 10
eqao.com
1 course = 1 credit
Being active in your learning also means understanding what lies ahead, understanding how the high school system works
A high school diploma called Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
To earn one, you need to complete successfully 30 credits
18 of these are “compulsory” (those you must take)
12 are “optional” (in subjects you wish to explore)
You must also complete 40 hours of community involvement (volunteer) hours and a literacy requirement
By passing one course, you earn one credit

4. Earning Credits Pass a course = earn a credit Below 50%?
50% or higher
Below 50%?
Summer school (2 weeks or 4 weeks, depending on final grade)
Repeat in day school
Repeat in night school (grade 12 students only)
Complete alternative credit (optional courses)
Other options available through Guidance – see your counsellor!
Different ways to earn credits
Co-operative education, heritage language, piano
Heritage Language: more information available at:
Technically, you need 50% to earn a credit
If you are earning in the 50’s (level 1), however, consider carefully what changes you need to make -- good indication that you are ill prepared to continue studying that course type for that subject
Compulsory core courses must be completed successfully in order to graduate
There are a variety of ways to make up credits, including summer school, repeating the course the next semester or year in day school
Optional courses may not need to be repeated, but students may “make-up” for the missing credit by taking a different course or taking a different course type or grade level
There may be other alternatives to make up unsuccessful core courses. Students can consult with their Guidance Counsellor
(schools may wish to customize message according to their own programs and guidelines for making up credits)

5. Compulsory Courses for Graduation
4 English (1 in each grade)
3 Math
2 Science
1 Canadian Geography
1 Canadian History
1 Art
1 Phys. Education
1 French
0.5 Careers
0.5 Civics
Group 1: ENG, FRE, LAN, SSH, CWS, GUI, Co-Op
Group 2: PHYS., ART, BUS, FRE, Co-Op
Group 3: SCI, FRE, TECH, COMP, Co-Op

6. Handout is available in Guidance – please stop by during your tour to help yourself! 

7. How does it all come together?
Most of the compulsory courses are taken in grades 9 and 10
Grade 9: English, Math, Science, Geography, French, Phys. Ed, and 2 optional courses
Grade 10: English, Math, Science, History, Careers/Civics, and 3 optional courses
Establishes a solid foundation for general knowledge/understanding and further develops essential learning skills

8. Continued… More personalized course choices in grades 11 and 12
Encourages exploration of interests that are specific to individual students
Grade 9, 10, 11 = 8 courses / year
Grade 12 = 6+ courses in final year

9. Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12 1
English 2
Math
???? 3
Science 4
Can. Geography
Can. History 5
French
Civics & Careers 6
Phys. Ed. 7 8
PLF4M0
COP4XC
CIE3M0
SCH3U0
AWT2O0
HIF1O0
BBI2O0
ADA1O0
FSF2D0
Arts
Music
Visual Art
Media Art
Drama
Dance
Group 1
5th English or
2nd French
or Language or
Soc. Science or
Can/World Studies or Guidance or Co-op
Group 2
2nd P.E. or
2nd Arts or
Business or
2nd French or Co-op
Group 3
Science (11-12)
or Technology (9-12)
or Computers (10-12)
or 2nd French
or Co-op

10. Core Course Types Grades 11 and 12 Grades 9 & 10 Workplace preparation
College preparation
College/University preparation (“Mixed”)
University preparation
Grades 9 & 10
Locally Developed (“Essentials”)
Applied
Academic
These are the course types for core courses in grades 9 and 10
In grades 11 and 12, the course types are different. The combination of courses you choose may include a mixture of course types, depending on the requirements of your post-secondary destination: apprenticeship, college, university, or the workplace. For instance, many university programs do not require math. [myth buster]
The arrows show you the most common route students take from one course type in grade 10 to the next, in grade 11

11. Academic / University Courses
Lead most directly toward degree programs (at both college and university)
Faster pace, expectation of homework
More independent learning
Emphasize theory -- include some practical, real-life applications
Courses will require more learning from texts and listening and reading
Classes tend to be larger and students are expected to be more independent n their learning and this leads to more learning through student working at home with homework and review

12. Applied / College Courses
Lead most directly toward diploma programs
More teacher-guided learning and collaboration with peers
More time in class, less homework
Some theory but emphasize practical, real-life applications and examples
Classes are smaller
Teachers break down learning into manageable steps and guide students through each step to completion, providing organizers to help along the way
More time is spent in class to complete learning activities
Homework helps to consolidate themes and concepts introduced in class through practical, real-life examples

13. Locally Developed / Workplace Courses
Lead to use in workplace or everyday life
Additional time to develop skills from earlier grades
More individual attention for learning
Hands-on, real-life problems & examples from everyday life
Very small classes allow more individualized instruction and teacher guidance for each student
Learning activities are designed to help students become stronger in subjects they have tended to find very challenging or skills they have been struggling to develop
Courses all help develop literacy, numeracy,
problem-solving, decision-making, communication skills

14. Guideline: Which French?
1 grade 9 French credit is required for graduation
Three levels of study:
FSF1O0: less than 600 hours of instruction
FSF1D0 or FSF1P0: 600 or more hours of instruction
Exceptions: some students with special education needs and students in ESL program

15. Which Course Type Fits Your Child Best?
To Choose for Success (75%) -- consider:
Teacher Recommendations in grade 8
Work habits
Time management, homework, assignments
Learning preferences
“Book-learning” versus “hands-on”
Achievement so far
Independence
How much time & teacher direction do you prefer?
Teachers recommend on reports and interviews
Look at learning skills
Look at grades. If you are achieving at level 3 (70% or higher), it is a good indication that you are in the right course type for you.
Look at teacher comments
Teacher direction:
--Do you work best when the teacher provides you with organizers to structure your work?
-- Do you work best when larger assignments are broken down into manageable chunks for you?
-- Do you find it easy to research topics on your own, without teacher input

16. Choosing for Success
**It is possible to change course types!** There is a lot of flexibility in both the high school and post-secondary systems
Choosing the course type that best suits your child’s current skill level and comfort with the subject will keep the doors of opportunity open

17. This is a lot of information. We’re here to help…
At John Fraser SS, the Guidance team provides:
Educational, Personal, Interpersonal, and Career support
Comprehensive Career Studies program for all students in grade 10
1:1 appointments
Transition programs for students in all grades
Information sessions for parents/guardians
Many “Lunch and Learn” Workshops throughout the school year

18. Peer Mentors
Peer Mentors are specially chosen and trained senior student leaders. They run large-group activities and workshops for ALL students to help them succeed and to make our school a welcoming place for everyone.
Peer Mentors can also meet individually with students to:
Talk about the transition to high school
Ask questions about life at JFSS
Find out how or where to get help for a variety of issues
Learn how to set goals, make decisions, problem solve, resolve conflict, etc.

19. Questions? Please see me in the Guidance Office this evening
This presentation is posted on our school’s website – visit us at 