1. Grade 12

2. When a student graduates from a Catholic school, we don’t only ask, “What did you learn?” but “Who did you become?” Sister Clare Fitzgerald The Journey Continues: Planning for a Successful Grade 12

3. Focus on The Future It is your future. It is your choice. It is your responsibility.

4. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

5. Ontario Secondary School Certificate OSSC A minimum of 14 credits Compulsory (total of 7) 2 English 1 Canadian geography or Canadian history 1 mathematics science 1 health and phys. ed. 1 arts or technology Optional (total of 7) 7 credits selected by the student from available courses including Religion.

6. Certificate of Accomplishment C of A  Students who leave school without fulfilling the requirements of the OSSD or the OSSC may be granted a Certificate of Accomplishment. The C of A may be useful in recognizing achievement for students who plan to take certain vocational programs or other kinds of further training or who plan to find employment after leaving school. If credits were earned, the C of A will be accompanied by the student’s Ontario Student Transcript and a copy of the IEP if there is an IEP.

7. Individual Pathway Plan Ensure that you meet the final graduation requirements: compulsory credits (18) Religion credit every school year credit count (total of 30) Ontario Secondary School literacy requirement (passed test or OLC 4O course) Community service hours (4O)

8. Apprenticeship  Apprenticeship is a practical method of learning, providing hands on training in over 150 occupations  Apprentices are paid while gaining work experience. Their wages increase while they develop skills.  Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and classroom theory lasting 2-5 years.  OYAP allows students to begin their apprenticeship in high school through coop.  You may want to be an apprentice if you enjoy hands on learning and have good mechanical and spatial abilities.  You enjoy applying your skills to real life problems.

10. Techniques Programs at Colleges These programs are 1 year or less in length and prepare students to enter an apprenticeship or the workplace. Fanshawe Electrical Welding Construction

11. Techniques Programs at Colleges Conestoga College Brick and Stone Construction Carpentry Drywall Electrical Heavy Equipment Mechanical/General Machinist/Millwright Plumbing Tool and Die Motive Power/Auto/Motorcycle/Truck and Coach Renewable Energy Roofing

13. Earnwhileyoulearn.ca

14. College  You must fulfill certain admission requirements to be accepted into college programs.  These programs combine real life skills, training and theory  Colleges offer 1, 2 and 3 year diploma programs as well as 4 year degree programs.  You may be interested in a college programs if you enjoy hands on curriculum.  You enjoy smaller classroom situations and a more personal approach to instruction.

20. University  You must fulfill certain admission requirements in order to be accepted to a university program.  All Degree programs require 6 grade 12 course at the U or M level including Grade 12 ENGLISH U  Most programs have additional requirements that may include Grade 12 University level Maths and/or Sciences  Universities provide a variety of programs that are theoretical in nature ranging from 3 to 10 years of study.  You may be suited to university study if you enjoy theoretical thinking and learning by studying concepts and are able to complete much of your studying and learning independently.

21. Research Programs

22. On INFO you can  Browse programs and Universities  View program prerequisites  Learn what admission requirements are needed  Find out about upcoming campus tours  Research residence and meal plans  Explore available scholarships

23. To-Do List  Research your options using eINFO and the universities’ websites  Make a list of the programs and OUAC program codes you are interested in  Attend scheduled Guidance appointments to discuss questions about application and get your Application Access Code Letter (Nov-Dec)  Apply online by January 13, 2016 Deadline at www.ouac.on.ca

25. Apply at www.ouac.on.cawww.ouac.on.ca Base Application Fee $150 Choose up to 3 University programs Each additional choice after that is $50

26. Offers of Admission May 27, 2016 The latest date by which you can expect a response from an Ontario university. This includes: an offer of admission; a refusal; or a deferral, pending the receipt of specific information.

27. June 1, 2016 The earliest date you may be required to respond to an Ontario university offer of admission and give a financial commitment (e.g., registration deposit, residence deposit, etc.). All other admissions ‑ related elements, including scholarships, other forms of student assistance or financial incentives, and offers of residence are considered part of the offer of admission. Therefore, you may accept these other offers prior to June 1, 2016, but Ontario universities will not compel a student in any way to make a decision earlier.

28. Collaborative Degrees Offered by both a University and a College in cooperation with each other Example: Fanshawe/Western Collaborative Nursing Degree Often part of the schooling is done at the college and part at the University Admission averages similar to those for the University program Application for the program is done through the University Application site www.ouac.on.ca

29. Degree Programs at College Many colleges now offer Applied Degree Programs of their own These programs are often less theoretical and more job focused than University Degree programs These programs have the same requirement of six Grade 12 U or M admission courses including ENG4U Admission averages for these programs are often lower than admission programs at Universities Students apply to these programs through the College Application site ontariocolleges.ca

31. Work  A wide variety of careers require a high school diploma followed by work experience or specific on the job training.  Many high school programs provide opportunities for students to gain skills and knowledge for entering specific industries. : technology, arts and other options as well as coop.  You may be interested in an on the job option if your courses have given you some appropriate skills you would like to use  You want to delay a post secondary program until a later date.

32. Research, Research, Research …  Interest questionnaires and assessment tools  Internet sites  Talk to friends, family and community  Talk with your guidance counsellor  Visit campuses  Job shadowing  Part time work  Volunteering  Cooperative education  OYAP  Specialist High Skills Major  Dual Credits

33. Research, Research, Research… DATA COLLECTION Career Cruising www.careercruising.com Apprenticeship www.apprenticetrades.ca www.apprenticeship.com eINFO www.electronicinfo.ca Ontario Universities Application Centre www.ouac.on.ca Ontario Colleges www.ontariocolleges.ca Other government sites CONSULT Family Friends Community Teachers Guidance Counsellor

34. Research, Research, Research… EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN SCHOOL Cooperative Education OYAP Dual Credits Specialist High Skills Majors WORK EXPERIENCE Part Time Job Volunteer in Parish, Community and School Job Shadowing

35. Board Website – A Great Resource  www.ldcsb.on.ca (program – guidance and career education) www.ldcsb.on.ca

36. Paying for Your Education Part-time job Education Savings Bursaries (a cash award that is based primarily on financial need, but academic standing may also be considered) Scholarships (academic achievement, volunteer work etc) www.scholarshipscanada.com www.studentawards.com Many bursaries and scholarships go “unawarded” as students don’t apply

37. Paying For Your Education Loans (borrowed funds that must be paid back, often with interest) Bank Loans OSAP – Ontario Student Assistance Program http://osap.gov.on.ca http://osap.gov.on.ca Every student should apply for OSAP regardless of financial situation!! Listen to the announcements regarding financial aid information.

38. Research Your Financial Plan Talk with your family. Visit the guidance office. Listen to morning announcements. Search online scholarships and bursaries. Search post secondary institutions’ websites and financial aid publications. Go to your local bank and discuss options.

39. Helpful Websites www.canlearn.ca http://osap.gov.ca www.scholarshipscanada.com www.studentawards.com www.osca.ca http://www.ontariocolleges.ca http://www.electronicinfo.ca