ACADEMIC INFORMATION

ACCESS TO THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM AND POLICY DOCUMENTS All curriculum and policy documents can be accessed through the Ministry of Education website: • Grades 9-12: visit www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/ secondary/index.html • Grades 7-8: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/ elementary/index.html

COURSES OFFERED The course offering has been developed according to the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training. These courses also reflect the Catholic academic traditions of education. The Ontario Ministry of Education and Training inspects the school to assure that provincial standards are being met and to allow the school to grant the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMME The Programme is an extension of the overall educational philosophy of St. Michael’s College School. The goal is to prepare students for success in their high school education. A combination of a core classroom and a specialty rotary system is employed to deliver the curriculum. Learning strategies such as time management and note-taking are incorporated into lessons. Moreover, students are eligible to participate in a variety of co-curricular activities. There is an overnight camp in September for the Grade 7 class. The Grade 8 class participates in an outdoor education trip in January and is required to complete twenty hours of community service.

DEFINITION OF A CREDIT A credit is granted in recognition of the successful completion of a high school course that has been scheduled for a minimum of 110 hours. This definition of a credit implies that the student may not earn his credit if his final mark in the course is below 50%.

Although the provincial passing mark is 50%, it is expected that students at St. Michael’s would not accept such a low standard.

COURSE OF STUDY A course of study contains the expectations for the course, the course content and the sequence in which it is taught, the evaluation practices, and the textbooks and reference materials to be used. Detailed courses of study are available at the school for perusal by parents. A request to view these may be made to the principal. COURSE TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSES Serious consideration is to be given to course selection. Teachers and counsellors are available to meet with students and parents to plan a course of study appropriate for each individual. Students who want to drop a course once the school year has begun must have the written approval of a parent, the teacher of the course and a guidance counsellor. The deadline to drop courses is typically the third week of January.

No course or section changes will be considered based on a student’s preference of teacher, study hall, or lunch period.

DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS FOR OSSD

COMPULSORY CREDITS (TOTAL OF 18) 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade) • The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) may be used to meet either the Grade 11 or the Grade 12 English compulsory credit requirement. • The Grade 11 Contemporary Aboriginal Voices course may be used to meet the Grade 11 English compulsory credit requirement. • For English language learners the requirement may be met through earning a maximum of 3 credits in

English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD); the fourth credit must be a Grade 12 compulsory English course.

3 credits in mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)

2 credits in science

1 credit in the arts • The Grade 9 Expressing Aboriginal Cultures course may be used to meet the compulsory credit requirement in the arts.

1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9)

1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10)

1 credit in French as a second language

• Students who have taken Native languages in place of French as a second language in elementary school may use a Level 1 or 2 Native language course to meet the compulsory credit requirement for French as a second language.

1 credit in health and physical education

0.5 credit in career studies

0.5 credit in civics

3 additional credits, consisting of 1 credit from each of the following groups: • Group 1: English (including the Ontario Secondary

School Literacy Course), French as a second language, classical languages, international languages, Native languages, Canadian and world studies, Native studies, social sciences and humanities, guidance and career education, cooperative education • Group 2: French as a second language, the arts, business studies, health and physical education, cooperative education • Group 3: French as a second language, science (Grade 11 or 12), computer studies, technological education, cooperative education

Note: The following conditions apply to selections from the above three groups: • A maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language may count as additional compulsory credits, 1 credit from Group 1, and 1 credit from either Group 2 or Group 3. • A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education may count as additional compulsory credits, selected from any of Groups 1, 2, or 3.

ELECTIVE CREDITS (TOTAL OF 12) Students must take an additional 12 elective credits to complete their OSSD.

THE ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL LITERACY TEST REQUIREMENT All students must successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test in order to earn a secondary school diploma. Students take this test in Grade 10 in early spring. Students unsuccessful in their first attempt will write the test again in Grade 11. The test will be based on the Ontario curriculum expectations for language and communication - particularly reading and writing - up to and including Grade 9. have acquired the reading and writing skills considered essential for literacy, and to provide confirmation that those students who have completed the test successfully attained the provincial expectations for literacy. The test will identify those students who have not demonstrated the required skills and will identify areas in which these students need remediation. Students who are unsuccessful in this test may choose to pursue the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course.

In the case of a student who is unsuccessful on the second attempt, the school will arrange to have the student enrolled in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC).

ACCOMMODATIONS, DEFERRALS AND EXEMPTIONS Students will have a fair and equal opportunity to successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Any accommodations made will be the same as those that are available to the student in the course of his regular school work, including examinations and other forms of evaluation.

While accommodations such as alternative forms of print and extra time are acceptable, the actual content of this test must not be altered.

The principal will determine whether or not a deferral should be granted. The principal will make this decision in consultation with the parent and appropriate school staff.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT REQUIREMENT Every secondary school student in Ontario must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities. At St. Michael’s, these must be completed by the spring of a student’s Grade 10 year.

ST. MICHAEL’S DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS The St. Michael’s College School Diploma represents the fulfillment of the integrity and reputation of a Basilian education. Graduation Exercises and the St. Michael’s College School Diploma are privileges that students earn through the successful completion of the St. Michael’s College School Diploma Requirements.

The following outlines St. Michael’s College School’s Diploma Requirements:

1. Students must take the appropriate Religious

Studies course in each year of their tenure at

SMCS.

2. Students must complete 30 SMCS credits.

These include additional credit requirements in the Languages which consists of either a second year of French or a third language.

3. Grade 11 students must successfully complete

20 hours of Christian Service. Students in Grade 12 must complete a defined Christian Service project. These activities specifically challenge students to incorporate the Spiritual and

Corporal Works of Mercy which include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, instructing the ignorant, and visiting the sick. Students make a conscientious effort to help the less fortunate and contribute to the betterment of society at large. This is in addition to the 40 hours of community service required by the Ministry of Education. St. Michael’s College

School requires that community service be completed by the spring of a student’s Grade 10 year.

4. Grade 12 students are required to participate in

the Grade 12 retreat programme.

5. Students are reminded that they may take

any Grade 9, 10 or 11 course outside of the school. This includes summer school, night school or any other Independent learning facility. Students may only take Grade 12 courses at summer school, night school or any other Independent learning facility, which are NOT offered at St. Michael’s College School. Please see the list of Grade 12

courses offered in the Summary of Courses.

Students not adhering to these requirements will not be eligible for the St. Michael’s College School Diploma and will not be permitted to attend St. Michael’s Graduation Ceremonies in June. EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES During the first week of school, students will be given information regarding the evaluation procedure for each course. Student work is assessed using a variety of methods including teacher observations, conversations with students and student products such as classroom work, tests, essays, projects, etc. Student assessment will be comprised of assessment for, as and of learning. Assessments for and as learning are intended to provide feedback to students to help them assess their own work and improve. Assessment of learning will be used in determining a mark in a course.

Four report cards are issued - one each in November, January, March and June. The final mark in all courses is a combination of 70% from evaluations throughout the year including the Christmas mid-term assessment and 30% from summative evaluations, usually in the form of a final exam. A minimum mark of 50% is necessary to pass a course.

ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS The levels of achievement are associated with percentage grades, and are defined as follows: • 80% - 100% - Level 4: A very high to outstanding level of achievement. Achievement is above the provincial standard. • 70% - 79% - Level 3: A high level of achievement.

Achievement is at the provincial standard. • 60% - 69% - Level 2: A moderate level of achievement. Achievement is below, but approaching, the provincial standard. • 50% - 59% - Level 1: A passable level of achievement. Achievement is below the provincial standard. • Below 50%: Insufficient achievement of the curriculum expectations. The student will not receive a credit for the course.

EXAMINATION POLICY There is one set of mid-term assessments prior to Christmas and one set of final examinations at the end of the school year. All students are expected to write these and are asked not to schedule anything that would interfere with their completion. Avoid scheduling elective medical appointments or family matters such as holidays.

If a student misses a mid-term assessment or an examination due to illness, a parent or guardian must contact the school and provide a doctor’s note. A student who cheats will receive a mark of “0” on the exam, may lose his credit, and jeopardizes his future position in the school.

ONTARIO STUDENT RECORD (OSR) AND ONTARIO STUDENT TRANSCRIPT (OST) The OSR is the ongoing, confidential record of a student’s educational progress through schools in Ontario. The collection of this information is authorized by the Education Act. Among the contents of the OSR are biographic and demographic data, report cards, the OST, a documentation file, and cards for accumulated instruction in French as a second language and/or Native as a second language. A summary of successful credits earned by a student in Grades 9 and 10 and of all courses taken in Grades 11 and 12 is recorded on his OST. Note that courses from Grade 11 through Grade 12 are recorded on the OST if they have not been dropped by the 5th instructional day after the receipt of the Christmas report card. If a course is repeated, both results, the initial mark and the repeated course mark, are recorded on the OST. The student or his parent or guardian may access the OSR file by appointment with the principal.

TYPES OF COURSES Since most students at St. Michael’s are university bound, the courses that are offered are University and University/College courses along with limited Open courses.

In Grades 11 and 12, University (U), University/College (M), or Open (O) focus on the essential concepts of the discipline and also explore related concepts. In Grades 9 and 10, Academic (D) or Open (O) courses develop students’ knowledge and skills by emphasizing theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts and incorporating practical applications as appropriate.

Open courses in Grades 9 and 10 are offered in all subjects other than those offered as Academic. Open courses are offered in Visual Arts, Music, and Health and Physical Education, but not in English, Mathematics, Science, French as a second language, History, or Geography. These open courses are designed to provide students with a broad educational base that will prepare them for their studies in Grades 11 and 12. Open courses are credit based and are counted towards the 30 credits required to meet diploma requirements.

In Grades 11 and 12, students will focus more on their individual interests and identify and prepare for initial post-secondary goals. St. Michael’s will offer university preparation courses that are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for university programmes. All university preparation courses will be based on rigorous provincial curriculum expectations and will emphasize the development of both independent research skills and independent learning skills. Open courses are limited in Grade 11 and are not linked to any specific post-secondary destination.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES The Advanced Placement (AP) programme gives students the opportunity to study university level courses and write AP exams while still in high school. Success on an AP exam permits students to earn a credit, advanced placement or both, at university. In addition, preparation for an AP exam helps students further develop the work and study habits necessary for university success.

St. Michael’s College School offers the AP Calculus, English and European History courses. Students wishing to write AP exams in other subject areas may study independently for them and write the exams at St. Michael’s College School. The academic programme at St. Michael’s College School provides excellent preparation for many of the AP exams and students typically score very well on them.

SUMMER PROGRAMME

The Summer Programme at St. Michael’s College school is intended to give students of SMCS an opportunity to broaden their choices of elective courses during the school year. St. Michael’s will be offering summer courses as an extension, and as a complement to the regular day school programme. Online courses in Grade 10 Careers and Civics as well as Grade 12 Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Sports Entertainment and Event Marketing will be offered this summer.

Students registered at St. Michael’s will be granted permission to take part in the summer programme if they meet course prerequisites.

All programming is intended to prepare students, in the traditional St. Michael’s College School fashion, for future study in their chosen field.

POLICY FOR NEW CREDIT COURSES TAKEN OUTSIDE ST. MICHAEL’S • Once a student begins his studies at St. Michael’s

College School in Grade 9, a minimum of 30 St.

Michael’s credits must be successfully completed. • The main purpose of reaching ahead for additional courses at the end of Grades 9, 10 or 11 is to

broaden the scope of a student’s education so that a broader liberal arts education may be more accessible to more of our students. • Students must take all Grade 12 courses at

St. Michael’s College School if the school offers such courses. For students interested in taking

Grade 12 courses outside of St. Michael’s, please see the diploma requirements on page 14. • To receive permission to pursue a St. Michael’s

Grade 12 course while in Grade 11, students will be able to take the prerequisite course, regardless of the subject area, during the summer school term. • Students will be counselled to enroll in a “reach ahead” course only if they have a mark of 80% or more in the prerequisite course from St. Michael’s

College School. • Students wishing to enroll in summer school courses of any kind (International Summer Academy, public and Catholic board offerings, and private school offerings) must have enrolment forms signed by the appropriate Guidance Counsellor or the Principal.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION (PLAR) Students may have their skills and knowledge evaluated against the expectations outlined in provincial curriculum policy documents in order to earn credits towards the secondary school diploma. This formal evaluation and accreditation process is known as Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). PLAR procedures are carried out under the direction of the principal, who grants credits. A maximum of four credits may be granted through the challenge process of prior learning for Grades 10, 11, and 12 courses, with no more than two credits in one subject area. SUBSTITUTIONS FOR COMPULSORY COURSES Substitutions may be made for a maximum of three compulsory credit courses offered by the school. The decision to make a substitution for a student will be made by the principal if the student’s educational interests are best served by such substitution.

The following are limitations on substitutions for compulsory credits: • English as a second language and English literacy development courses may not be used to substitute for a compulsory credit. • No more than one learning strategies course, from the guidance and career education curriculum policy document, may be used through substitution to meet a compulsory credit requirement. • Credits earned for cooperative education courses may not be used through substitution to meet

compulsory credit requirements. • A locally developed compulsory credit (LDCC) course may not be used as a substitute for a compulsory credit; it may be used only to meet the compulsory credit requirement that it has been designed to meet (see section).

Each substitution will be noted on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript.

If a student’s course needs cannot be met, we will seek to help the student through an organization such as the Independent Learning Centre (ILC), Ontario Virtual High School (OVS), or another approved course provider.

PROCEDURES FOR CHANGING COURSE TYPES Although St. Michael’s College School only offers courses at the Academic, Open, University Preparation, and University/College Preparation, students enrolling after grade 9 may find that they have not completed all of the prerequisite courses they need.

In most cases, a student may enroll in a different type of course in a given subject in Grade 10 than the type he completed in Grade 9, although doing so may require additional preparation, as recommended by the principal. In the case of mathematics, however, the sole prerequisite for the Grade 10 academic mathematics course is the Grade 9 academic mathematics course, so a student who is planning to move from the Grade 9 applied mathematics course to the Grade 10 academic mathematics course must take either the designated transfer course or the Grade 9 academic mathematics course.

In Grades 10 to 12, a student may change to a different type of course in a given subject provided that the student has taken any course specified as a prerequisite for that course. If the student has not done so, he may take one of the specified prerequisite courses through summer school, night school, e-learning, the Independent Learning Centre, or independent study. Students in this situation should consult their guidance counselor as soon as possible.