Planning Tools

Annual Education Plan Download

Goal setting and planning are the skills that enable us to get where we want to go in life.
If you want to get higher marks or learn a new skill or open the door to the career of your choice, you have to have a plan.

The following pathway plans provide different options for students who entered grade 9 before the 2024/25 school year and for those who entered grade 9 in the 2024/25 school year and after*. 

*The graduation requirements have changed for students entering grade 9 in 2024/5 and after.  The new Technological Education compulsory credit has been added for those students.

The pathway plans below are only suggestions but they can provide some guidance when selecting courses.

Possible Pathways for Students who Entered Grade 9 Prior to the 2024/25 School Year

Possible College Pathway – Arts and Humanities

Possible College Pathway – Business and Technology

Possible College Pathway – Health Sciences

Possible University Pathway – Arts and Humanities

Possible University Pathway – Business and Technology

Possible University Pathway – Sciences and Math

Possible Workplace Pathway

Possible Pathways for Students who Entered Grade 9 in the 2024/25 School Year and After

Possible Workplace Pathway (Gr9 2024+)

Possible College Pathway: Arts and Humanities (Gr9 2024+)

Possible College Pathway: Business and Technology (Gr9 2024+)

Possible College Pathway: Health Sciences (Gr9 2024+)

Possible University Pathway: Arts and Humanities (Gr9 2024+)

Possible University Pathway: Business and Technology (Gr9 2024+)

Possible University Pathway: Sciences and Math (Gr9 2024+)

Choosing courses for high school is an important decision and should be considered very carefully by students and their parents.

Please see the webpage – Course Types and Pathways – to determine what courses are  required for your post-secondary pathway. 

Grade 9 Program

Our grade 9 courses is detreamed, which means all students are in the same courses together.  You can review more information about our grade 9 program in the section “Grade 9 Course Selection Recommendations” below.

Students who have completed grade 9 applied or destreamed courses do have the option to take applied or academic courses in grade 10. The grade 10 course descriptions list all of the acceptable prerequisites.  You can find all course descriptions in the Course Offerings section of the website.

Choosing Academic or Applied English in grade 10

When deciding if you should take applied or academic grade 10 English, consider your work habits, reflect on how you did in grade 9.  If you are planning on going to university, you must take academic English in grade 10 (ENG2D).  If you are planning on going to college or into the workplace, you can take either applied (ENG2P) or academic (ENG2D) in grade 10.  It’s important to think about how you did in grade 9. If you are unsure of your pathway plan and you enjoy English and did well in the course, then you should consider taking academic English (ENG2D) for grade 10.

Your current English teacher can make recommendations.  You can also email guidance if you need help with your course selection.

Choosing Academic or Applied Science and Math in grade 10

If you are not academically strong in Math or Science but you are in English, Social Science, History or Business, you do not need to take academic Science and Math in grade or 10 (unless your post-secondary program requires it). 

Students who need a grade 12 University Math can take grade 10 Foundations of Math, Applied (MFM2P) in grade 10, grade 11 Functions and Applications, Mixed College/University (MCF3M) in grade 11 and then Data Management, University (MDM4U) in grade 12.  Students should check the prerequisites for programs they are interested in.  They can confirm with the guidance counsellor as well.

Health and Physical Education credit

The grade 11 Health for Life course (PPZ3C) satisfies the compulsory Health and Physical Education credit. Students should take this in their grade 11/12 year.  Students can also take Introductory Kinesiology (PSK4U) in grade 12 to meet this requirement.

Civics and Careers

Students will be scheduled to take Civics (CHV2O) and Careers (GLC2O) in the same semester, as they are half credit courses.

Timetables

With full year registration, semesters will be balanced with compulsory and elective courses as best we can. For example:

Grade 9 could be scheduled as follows:

• Semester 1: Geography (CGC1W), English (ENL1W), Learning Strategies (GLS1O), Exploring Family Studies (HIF2O).  
• Semester 2: Science (SNC1W), Math (MTH1W), French (FSF1O/D), Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset (BEM1O).

Grade 10 could be scheduled as follows:

• History (CHC2P/D), Science (SNC2P/D),  Civics (CHV2O) and Careers (GLC2O), Visual Arts (AVI2O).  
• Semester 2: Math (MFM2P or MPM2D), English (ENG2P/D), Launching and Leading a Business (BEP2O), Green Industries (THJ2O).

Students in grade 11 and 12 have more elective courses to choose from so there are no applicable examples.

PLEASE NOTE: these are examples.  They do NOT necessarily show the semesters these courses are being offered and how a student will be timetabled.

Planning and Selecting Courses

Students should try and plan out their core high school courses (English, Math and Science) to allow for age-appropriate levels each year. For example, English should be taken once a year over four years if your schedule permits. Grade 9 students that completed English in semester 1 should not rush into taking grade 10 English in semester 2.

Please read over the course descriptions carefully and abide by the grade level restrictions. If you select a course out of grade level then you will be placed on a waitlist and we will add you in one of your alternate courses. This is why it is important to select alternate courses.  If space becomes available then you will be placed in the course you originally requested. You will be notified of any changes via email.

Open Level Courses

Open level courses do allow for students in earlier grades to take these courses as electives if their schedule permits. For example taking Launching and Leading a Business (BEP2O), Exploring Family Studies (HIF2O), Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World (ICD2O), or First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada (NAC2O) in grade 9 is permitted.

General Recommendations

Be sure to sign up for courses that align to your intended career, certificate, diploma, or degree, but also take courses that have been a positive outlet for you and try new ones whose content you’ve already loved exploring from personal experience.

To improve your overall success and your well being, students should balance out courses with extra-curricular activities, part-time jobs or volunteer work, all of which could influence what career they end up choosing.

The ultimate goal is for each student to be happy and feel confident for whatever academics or careers lie ahead.

All grade 9 students will now take the following grade 9 compulsory destreamed courses:

MTH1W – Mathematics, Grade 9.  They will then choose grade 10 applied math (MFM2P) or grade 10 academic math (MPM2D) based on recommendations from their teacher and what their selected pathway requires. 

SNC1W – Science, Grade 9.  They will then choose grade 10 applied science (SNC2P) or grade 10 academic science (SNC2D) based on recommendations from their teacher and what their selected pathway requires. 

ENL1W – English, Grade 9.  They will then choose grade 10 applied English (ENG2P) or grade 10 academic English (ENG2D) based on recommendations from their teacher and what their selected pathway requires.

CGC1W – Geography, grade 9.  This course can be used for any future prerequisites that require grade 9 Geography.

FSF1O – French, grade 9 Open or FSF1D – French, grade 9 Academic

French will still be offered at the open level (FSF1O) for students who have little to no prior Ontario French curriculum experience.  Students who have completed the 600 hours of French curriculum at the elementary level, or the equivalent (evidence will be requested), can select the academic level (FSF1D). 

Arts – Grade 9 students typically take the compulsory Arts credit in their grade 9 year, however they can also take the compulsory course in grade 10.  There are some Arts courses suggested in the “Optional/Elective Courses” section below.

New Compulsory Course Requirement for Students entering Grade 9 in 2024-25

All students entering grade 9 in the 2024-25 school year will need the following to meet their OSSD requirements: 30 credits including 19 compulsory credits (Technological Education is a new compulsory course), the OSSLT and 40 hours of community service.

The Technological Education compulsory credit can be met in the VLC by successfully completing one of the following courses: 

• THJ2O (Grade 10 Green Industries, Open) 
• TGJ2O (Grade 10 Communications Technology, Open), or 
• TGJ3M (Grade 11 Communications Technology, University/College Preparation)

Students can take the grade 10 open courses in grade 9 if they would like to and their schedule permits.  We recommend taking TGJ3M in grade 11.

Optional/Elective Courses

Put careful thought into your optional courses and select courses that appeal to your personal interests. Many grade 9 optional/open level courses provide the starting point for similar courses at other grades.  

Grade 9 students are able to take the following Grade 10 open level courses in Grade 9: 

• Media Arts (ASM2O) *could be counted at the compulsory Arts credit
• Visual Arts (AVI2O) *could be counted at the compulsory Arts credit
• Music Vocals (AMV2O) *could be counted at the compulsory Arts credit
• Music Instrumental (AMI2O) *could be counted at the compulsory Arts credit
• Music Keyboard (AMK2O) *could be counted at the compulsory Arts credit
• Music Guitar (AMG2O) *could be counted at the compulsory Arts credit
• Launching and Leading a Business (BEP2O)
• Exploring Family Studies (HIF2O)
• Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World (ICD2O)
• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada (NAC2O)
• Green Industries (THJ2O) *could be counted as the compulsory Tech credit
• Communications Technology (TGJ2O) *could be counted as the compulsory Tech credit

*All OSSD requirements can be found at this website (the Government of Ontario will update this before the 2024-25 school year to reflect the new compulsory Technological Education requirement that only applies to students entering grade 9 in 2024-25) https://www.ontario.ca/page/high-school-graduation-requirements

Think about the learning that has taken place so far. Take a good look at your marks, attendance and work habits. Select the pathway/level for grade 10 based on your past performance and future goals.

Please see the webpage – Course Types and Pathways – to determine what courses are  required for your post-secondary pathway. 

You have a bit more choice this year – put careful thought into your optional courses. You may want to continue in an area of interest from grade 9 or try something new.

Grade 10 compulsory courses: English, Math, Science, Canadian History, Civics and Careers.  Group 1, 2 and 3 courses can also be met in grade 10.  

Students who entered grade 9 before 2024-25 will need: 30 credits including 18 compulsory credits, the OSSLT and 40 hours of community service.

Students entering grade 9 in 2024-25 and afterwards will need: 30 credits including 19 compulsory credits (Technological Education is a new compulsory course), the OSSLT and 40 hours of community service.

*All OSSD requirements can be found at this website (the Government of Ontario will update this before the 2024-25 school year to reflect the new compulsory Technological Education requirement that only applies to students entering grade 9 in 2024-25) https://www.ontario.ca/page/high-school-graduation-requirements

Assess your marks, work habits, attendance, and overall learning in previous grades so far. Now that you are in your senior years of high school, you want to be on the pathway that best fits your needs and goals.

It’s time to start thinking about post-secondary plans if you haven’t already done so. Start researching apprenticeship, college and university entry requirements so that you can be sure to take the appropriate courses to prepare for grade 12. Many grade 12 courses have prerequisites (courses which must be taken before being eligible).

You have more choices this year than ever before. Once you’ve planned for your post-secondary requirements, choose courses that are of personal interest and/or related to your career plans.

Please see the webpage – Course Types and Pathways – to determine what courses are  required for your post-secondary pathway. 

Grade 11 compulsory courses: English, Math, Health and Physical Education (PPZ3C) if the student hasn’t previously met this requirement.  Group 1, 2 and 3 courses can also be met in grade 11. 

Students who entered grade 9 before 2024-25 will need: 30 credits including 18 compulsory credits, the OSSLT and 40 hours of community service.

Students entering grade 9 in 2024-25 and afterwards will need: 30 credits including 19 compulsory credits (Technological Education is a new compulsory course), the OSSLT and 40 hours of community service.

*All OSSD requirements can be found at this website (the Government of Ontario will update this before the 2024-25 school year to reflect the new compulsory Technological Education requirement that only applies to students entering grade 9 in 2024-25) https://www.ontario.ca/page/high-school-graduation-requirements

Students planning to apply to an Ontario university after grade 12 need six grade 12 (4U/4M) credits including Grade 12 English, University (ENG4U).  Open level (‘O’) and college level (‘C’) courses can not count towards these six.  Review prerequisites for the program(s) you’re interested in before applying for grade 11 and grade 12 courses.

Students planning to apply to an Ontario college after grade 12 will need grade 12 College English (ENG4C).  Review prerequisites for the program(s) you’re interested in when applying for grade 11 and grade 12 courses.

Students planning to apply to an Apprenticeship program after grade 12 may need certain prerequisites.  Please review the program(s) you’re interested in before applying for grade 11 and grade 12 courses.

Students planning to apply to programs outside of Ontario after grade 12 will have to review the program prerequisites and make sure you are selecting the necessary courses in high school.

Check out the resources at the bottom of the page as you plan ahead.

This year takes some serious planning. You need to research your post-secondary plans and select the courses that will prepare you for those post-secondary destinations. Select the proper courses now and avoid the problem of trying to change into a course later only to find out it is already full.

Grade 12 compulsory course: English and any group requirements or compulsory courses you did not meet in the previous grades.

All grade 12 students should make sure that Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements are being met in order to graduate.

Students who entered grade 9 before 2024-25 will need: 30 credits including 18 compulsory credits, the OSSLT and 40 hours of community service.

Students entering grade 9 in 2024-25 and afterwards will need: 30 credits including 19 compulsory credits (Technological Education is a new compulsory course), the OSSLT and 40 hours of community service.

*All OSSD requirements can be found at this website (the Government of Ontario will update this before the 2024-25 school year to reflect the new compulsory Technological Education requirement that only applies to students entering grade 9 in 2024-25) https://www.ontario.ca/page/high-school-graduation-requirements

Students planning to apply to an Ontario university after grade 12 need six grade 12 (4U/4M) credits including Grade 12 University English (ENG4U).  Open level (‘O’) and college level (‘C’) courses can not count towards these six.  Review prerequisites for the program(s) you’re interested in before applying for grade 11 and grade 12 courses.

Students planning to apply to an Ontario college after grade 12 will need grade 12 College English (ENG4C).  Review prerequisites for the program(s) you’re interested in when applying for grade 11 and grade 12 courses.

Students planning to apply to an Apprenticeship program after grade 12 may need certain prerequisites.  Please review the program(s) you’re interested in before applying for grade 11 and grade 12 courses.

Students planning to apply to programs outside of Ontario after grade 12 will have to review the program prerequisites and make sure you are selecting the necessary courses in high school.

Check out the resources at the bottom of the page as you plan ahead.

Students considering an apprenticeship should look at the following websites to see what options are available: https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship and https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca.

If you aren’t sure what trade you want or you want to have a different experience learning about the trade, visit Find your Trade: https://trades.ontariocolleges.ca/

Students planning to apply to college can explore programs through www.ontariocolleges.ca and select grade 11 and 12 courses based on common entry requirements for programs of interest.

Students planning to apply to university can check https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/ for entry requirements for specific programs and choose grade 11 and 12 courses accordingly.

Talk to a Guidance Counsellor for more information about planning ahead.

Our courses use a 5 character code for identification, which are set out by the Ministry of Education.

Example:  SNC 1W

These letters, SNC1W, identify the subject.  The first letter tells you the department area.

A = Arts
B = Business
C = Canadian & World Studies
E = English
F = French
G = Guidance & Career Education
H = Humanities & Social Sciences
I = Interdisciplinary Studies
L = International Languages
M = Mathematics
N = First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies
P = Physical & Health Education
S = Sciences
T = Technology

The number, SNC1W, indicates the grade level.

1 = grade 9     2 = grade 10     3 = grade 11     4 = grade 12

The letter, SNC1W, identifies the type of course.

Grades 9 & 10    

W = De-streamed
D = Academic
P = Applied
O = Open
L = Locally Developed

Grades 11 & 12       

U = University Preparation
C = College Preparation
M = University/College Preparation
E = Workplace Pathway
O = Open