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Beginning in September 2021, American Sign Language as a Second Language programs in secondary schools will be based on the expectations outlined in this curriculum policy.

American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language curriculum introduces students to a language that has a distinct grammatical and syntactic structure not derived from any other language, either spoken or written. ASL is a complex language that can express the full breadth of human experiences, including the theories and principles that are conveyed in disciplines such as science, education, history, politics, law, culture, sports, and literature. ASL cultural identity inextricably interwoven with ASL as a language, and ASL is distinct from other sign languages of the world.

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Experience in the arts – dance, drama, media arts, music, and the visual arts – play a valuable role in the education of all students. Through participation in the arts, students can develop their creativity, learn about their own identity, and develop self-awareness, self-confidence, and a sense of well-being. Since artistic activities involve intense engagement, students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through the arts, which can motivate them to participate more fully in cultural life and in other educational opportunities.

Focus Areas

• Dance
• Drama
• Music
  Visual Arts
• Integrated Arts
• Exploring and Creating the Arts
• Media Arts

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The business studies program will build a strong foundation for those who wish to move on to further study and training in specialized areas such as management, international business, marketing, accounting, information and communication technology, or entrepreneurship. It will also provide practical skills for those who wish to move directly into the workplace.

*New for 2024 – 2025

BEM 1O (Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset)

In this course, students will learn what makes an entrepreneur thrive and the skills required to succeed in today’s business environment. Students will begin to develop their own entrepreneurial mindset, and learn why it’s important to take initiative, adapt to change, find creative solutions, and understand the financial considerations of entrepreneurship. This hands-on course will use business software and applications to help students plan and develop their entrepreneurial ideas and learn how to present them to a target audience. Throughout the course, students will enhance their communications skills as well as develop and refine their project management skills, including goal setting, time management, and networking.

BEP 2O (Launching and Leading a Business)

This course introduces students to the world of business and what is required to be successful, ethical, and responsible in today’s economy. 

Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to be an entrepreneur who knows how to respond to local and global market opportunities. Throughout the course, students will explore and understand the responsibility of managing different functions of a business.

This includes accounting, marketing, information and communication technology, financial management, human resources, and production.

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In Canadian and world studies, students develop skills, knowledge and understanding, and attitudes that will serve them both inside and outside the classroom, including in the world of work and as responsible citizens in the various communities to which they belong. The focus of teaching and learning in the Canadian and world studies curriculum is the development of ways of thinking and of transferable skills that students need to acquire and apply knowledge and understanding. Students apply these concepts of thinking and skills in a variety of contexts to examine information critically; to assess the significance of events, developments, and processes; to develop an understanding of and respect for different points of view; to reach supportable conclusions; and to propose solutions to, and courses of actions to address, real problems.

Citizenship education is an important facet of students’ overall education. In every grade and course in the Grade 9 and 10 Canadian and world studies curriculum, and particularly in Civics and Citizenship in Grade 10, students are given opportunities to learn about what it means to be a responsible, active citizen in the community of the classroom and the diverse communities to which they belong within and outside the school. It is important for students to understand that they belong to many communities and that, ultimately, they are all citizens of the global community

New for 2024-2025 CGC 1W (Exploring Canadian Geography; DE streamed)

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Students live in a world where digital technologies connect us, entertain us, and protect us. These technologies have become powerful aspects of our lives. As such, it is important for students to appreciate their potential benefits and also to think critically about their drawbacks, such as excessive or problematic use. While this course provides students with opportunities to examine important social, cultural, economic, environmental, and ethical issues related to digital technology and computer programming, they are also exposed to the excitement and promise of current, emerging, and future innovations. Students also develop their appreciation of the critical roles of human creativity, empathy, and ethics in digital technology innovations and solutions. Show Less

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Language is a fundamental element of identity and culture. As students read and reflect on a rich variety of literary, informational, and media texts,1they develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others and of the world around them. If they see themselves and others in the texts they study, they will be more engaged in learning and they will also come to appreciate the nature and value of a diverse, multicultural society. They will develop the ability to understand and critically interpret a range of texts and to recognize that a text conveys one perspective among many.

New for 2023-2024 ENL 1W (G. 9 Destreamed English)

This course enables students to continue to develop and consolidate the foundational knowledge and skills that they need for reading, writing, and oral and visual communication. Throughout the course, students will continue to enhance their media literacy and critical literacy skills, and to develop and apply transferable skills, including digital literacy. Students will also make connections to their lived experiences and to society and increase their understanding of the importance of language and literacy across the curriculum.

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The ESL and ELD curriculum expectations are designed to help English language learners develop the skills they need to develop proficiency in everyday English and, most especially, the proficiency in academic English that will allow them to integrate successfully into the mainstream school program. It is important to recognize that while English language learners are in the process of acquiring academic language, their age peers are not standing still in their learning of grade-appropriate language and concepts. In effect, English language learners must catch up with a moving target. Thus, an effective curriculum for English language learners integrates academic language and literacy skills with subject-matter concepts and critical-thinking skills from the very beginning levels of instruction, so that students can gain as much momentum as possible as they progress to full participation in mainstream classes in the various subjects. Show Less

The First Nations, Métis, and Inuit studies curriculum offers a variety of courses that can provide all students in Ontario schools with a broad range of knowledge and skills needed for work in fields such as law, environmental and other sciences, health, economics, politics, social services, and education. With the skills and knowledge, they acquire in the program, students will have much to offer in work, continuing study, and community service settings after graduation. Show Less

The ability to speak and understand French allows students to communicate with French-speaking people in Canada and around the world, to understand and appreciate the history and evolution of their cultures, and to develop and benefit from a competitive advantage in the workforce.

 While the knowledge of any language has value, French is not only a global language but the mother tongue of many Canadians and an integral part of the Canadian identity. Learning French equips students to communicate with French-speaking Canadians and millions of French speakers around the world.

In addition to strengthening students’ ability to communicate, learning another language develops their awareness of how language and culture interconnect, helping them appreciate and respect the diversity of Canadian and global societies. When a student is exposed to another culture through its language, he or she begins to understand the role that language plays in making connections with others. Learning an additional language not only challenges the mind but also teaches understanding, encourages patience, and fosters open-mindedness.

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To prepare students for the future, it is necessary to empower them to take an active role in finding their path in the world of work and the community. With the rapid pace of technological, social, and cultural change in today’s global economy and with new understandings of what a career looks like in this context, it is more important than ever that students be supported in their transition from secondary school to their initial postsecondary destination, whether in apprenticeship training, college, community living, university, or the workplace. Thoughtful and intentional education and career/life planning that involves both parents/guardian/caregivers and educators is essential in ensuring that students make well-informed decisions as they look ahead. It is also important that students learn about the fundamentals of financial management, so that they can be informed about and responsible for the implications of their decisions, and better managers of their own lives. Show Less

The health and physical education curriculum include health and physical education in Grades 1–8, Healthy Active Living Education courses in Grades 9–12, and specialized destination courses in Grades 11 and 12. This curriculum helps students develop an understanding of what they need to commit to lifelong healthy, active living and develop the capacity to live satisfying, productive lives. Show Less

The Ontario mathematics curriculum must serve several purposes. It must engage all students in mathematics and equip them to thrive in a society where mathematics is increasingly relevant in the workplace. It must engage and motivate as broad a group of students as possible, because early abandonment of the study of mathematics cuts students off from many career paths and postsecondary options. Show Less

Research on Native education confirms that when students develop the ability to communicate in a Native language, learning that language will reinforce, not interfere with, the learning of English, French, or other languages. In those Native communities where no Native language is spoken, the Native languages program will serve to introduce the Native language. In communities where some Native language is spoken, the program will help develop and maintain that language. In communities characterized by greater fluency in a Native language, the program will support the use of that language as the language of instruction in those subjects that would be enhanced by the close relationship between language and culture. Show Less

Science is a way of knowing that seeks to describe and explain the natural and physical world. An important part of scientific literacy is an understanding of the nature of science, which includes an understanding of the following:

What scientists, engineers, and technologists do as individuals and as a community.

How scientific knowledge is generated and validated, and what benefits, costs, and risks are involved in using this knowledge.

How science interacts with technology, society, and the environment.

The Science Curriculum uses the following strands (Grade 9 and 10) and Courses (Grade 11 and 12)

Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Environmental Science, Physics

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Students in social sciences and humanities develop a critical lens through which they can build their awareness of and make decisions with respect to critical issues in our increasingly complex, multifaceted, and diverse society. Study of this discipline helps to build understanding about individuals, families, and diverse groups – what people think, how they live, and how we all interact with one another and the world around us. Knowledge and understanding developed through the study of social sciences and humanities can help inform discussion on critical social, cultural, economic, technological, environmental, and wellness issues, and can provide a strong foundation for vibrant, healthy, and engaged citizenship. Show Less

Technology and Experiential Learning seeks to provide students with the best in technological education, experiential learning and programs that allow students to develop the skills they need to build a bright future. 

Technological education focuses on developing students’ ability to work creatively and competently with technologies that are central to their lives. As they proceed through their elementary and secondary school education, students attain a level of technological literacy that will enhance their ability to succeed in their postsecondary studies or in the workplace. For students who do not choose to pursue careers in technology, technological education can provide knowledge and skills that will enhance their daily lives, whether by enabling them to work on home renovations or car repairs or by allowing them to pursue technological hobbies.

Technological Studies Areas can include

Technology and the Skilled Trades (Grade 9 or 10) New for 2024-2025

• Construction Technology
• Green Industries
• Automotive Technologies
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Hairstyling and Aesthetics
• Health Care
• Communication Technology
• Computer Technology
• Manufacturing Technology
• Technological Design

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