Course Selection Information - Top
The following information applies to all courses offered in the secondary schools of Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board:
- Students under the age of eighteen (18) require parental approval for all decisions on course choices. Students who are eighteen years of age or older MAY accept responsibility for their own course choices.
- Most courses offered in Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board schools are open to both male and female students.
- Courses of study for each course offered in a school are maintained in the school office and are available for examination by parents/guardians upon request.
- The courses offered by the secondary schools of Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board have been devel¬oped according to the requirements of the Ministry of Education.
The Course Coding System - Top
Courses are identified by three letters followed by a number and a letter. For example, "ENG2P" means English for Grade 10 students, an applied course.
The first character indicates the subject area:
A Arts
B Business
C Canadian and World Studies
E English
F French
G Guidance and Career Education
H Social Sciences and the Humanities
I Computer Studies
L Classical and International Languages
M Mathematics
N Native Studies
P Health and Physical Education
S Science
T Technological Studies
The next two characters differentiate between subjects within the subject area: CGC means Geography of Canada while CHC means Canadian History Since World War I. The first number indicates the grade level of the course:
1 Grade 9
2 Grade 10
3 Grade 11
4 Grade 12
The letter following the first number indicates the nature of the course or the level of difficulty:
D Academic
L Locally Developed Compulsory Credit
O Open
P Applied
C College
E Workplace
M University/College
U University
The course codes in this calendar show the credit value as the sixth character. See the Student Services Department for more information.
Course Prerequisites - Top
Some courses extend or build upon the knowledge and skill developed in another course. The course that gives the required background and training is a prerequisite of the course that follows.
If a course has a prerequisite, it will be noted at the end of the course description. The prerequisite course must be successfully completed before the student may register in the next course.
Some courses do not require specific skills or knowledge, but experience has shown that some related background or maturity prepares the student for success. Recommendations of this nature may also be included at the end of the course description.
Course Flow Charts which include prerequisites are found after the Secondary School Course Offerings tables. Students and parents should consult these charts to determine the appropriate pathway.
Types of Courses - Top
Choosing Courses for Grade 9 and 10 - Top
Students in Grade 8 and 9 will choose courses of one or more types: academic, applied, locally developed compulsory credit and open. They will make their choices primarily on the basis of their interests, needs and achievement. Streams chosen in Grade 9 DO NOT LIMIT streams/courses that may be chosen in Grade 10 except in Mathematics.
The following is a brief description of the types of courses that are available in the different subjects:
Academic Courses - Top
These courses focus on essential concepts and include additional related materials. Greater emphasis is placed on the¬ory and abstract thinking than on practical applications. Students in Grade 9 who successfully complete these courses may choose either the academic or the applied course in the same subject in Grade 10. Students in Grade 10 will choose courses in Grade 11 depending on their planned destination. (see below)
Applied Courses - Top
These courses focus on essential concepts, with greater emphasis placed on practical hands-on applications of the con¬cepts. Students in Grade 9 who successfully complete these courses may choose either the applied or the academic course in the same subject in Grade 10 except in Mathematics. Students in Grade 10 will choose courses in Grade 11 depending on their planned destination. (see below)
Locally Developed Compulsory Credit Courses - Top
These courses focus on literacy, mathematical literacy, essential job skills and essential concepts. These courses are available in English, Mathematics, Science and History only. Students may be placed in these courses specially designed for students who have been working on expectations that are below the course grade level. Students who successfully complete these courses may choose either the grade 9 applied or the workplace course in the same subject in Grade 11. (see below)
Open Courses - Top
Open courses are offered in all secondary grades and are designed to prepare students for further study in certain sub¬jects and to enrich their education generally.
The following additional course types are designed for specific purposes.
Cross-over Courses - Top
These courses are on-line 30-hour module courses offered to students who wish to change from academic courses to applied or from applied courses to academic. The Principal may recommend that students com¬plete these courses in order to be better prepared. More information is available at each secondary school. No credit is granted for these courses.
Transfer Courses - Top
Transfer courses offer students a means of transferring from one type of course to another if their interests and goals change during secondary school. Like the other types of courses, transfer courses are credit-based and are counted towards the 30 credits required to meet diploma requirements.
For more information on Transfer Course availability and delivery please see your Student Services Department.
Courses Beyond Grade 10 - Top
In Grades 11 and 12, courses offered to prepare students for their post-secondary destinations include: university prepa¬ration courses, university/college preparation courses, college preparation courses, and workplace preparation courses. Open courses are also offered in Grades 11 and 12.
University Preparation Courses - Top
University preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for university programs. The range of courses offered and the content of these courses will allow students to prepare for university programs and related careers.
University/College Preparation Courses - Top
University/College preparation courses include content that is relevant for both university and college programs. These courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for specific university and college programs.
College Preparation Courses - Top
College preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for college programs. The range of courses offered and the content of these courses will allow students to prepare for most college programs and related careers.
Workplace Preparation Courses - Top
Workplace preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need for direct entry into the workplace or for admission to apprenticeship programs and other training programs offered in the community. The range and context of the courses offered will allow students to prepare for a variety of jobs, training programs and careers.
Not all courses listed in this calendar are available at every school. The table on the next page indicates which courses are offered at each school in each program area. Students and parents should note that course offerings are subject to enrollment.
Schools can choose to offer a focus in some courses. Focus courses are listed at the end of the subject area under which they may be offered. The course description and prerequisite for a Focus course are the same as the core course at that level. Not all focus courses are available at every school.
Students may be asked to purchase materials or pay a materials fee for certain courses. No student will be excluded from any course because they are unable to pay any requested fees.
* Program focus may vary greatly. Please consult the school pages. Note: Course offerings are subject to change based on enrolment. For more detailed information, please contact the school directly.
