Student Worksheets

Diploma Requirements and Course Types

To be granted a high school diploma, you must:
- earn 18 compulsory credits;
- earn 12 optional credits;
- complete 40 hours of community involvement activities;
- pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.
Most Grade 9 students will take 8 subjects for 8 credits.
You will earn one credit for each 110-hour course that you complete successfully.
Your 12 optional credits will be earned in courses of your choice. They will reflect your particular interests and goals.
In Grades 9 and 10, there are three types of courses: academic, applied, and open. In Grades 11 and 12, there are five types of courses: university preparation, university/college preparation, college preparation, workplace preparation, and open. Think of your Grade 11 and 12 courses as pathways to your postsecondary destination.
Every course that your high school offers is described in the school’s course calendar.

Preparing for High School:

A “To Do” List Student

Carefully review the information in this booklet with your parents.
Find out what courses are offered for Grade 9 students in the high school you are planning to attend.
Consider which of the Grade 9 courses offered can be taken as compulsory credits.
Think about the subjects that interest you and that you might want to pursue in high school.
Reflect on your study habits and your educational strengths.
Understand the difference between academic and applied courses.
Keep in mind the requirements for a high school diploma.
Ask questions and get information and advice from your teachers and guidance counsellors.
Make your course choices for Grade 9.

Your Work Habits: A Self-Assessment

Understanding the way you learn and the kinds of work habits you have is an important part of preparing for high school. Good work habits will help you succeed in Grade 9. Do this quick self-assessment and see where there is room for improvement.

Work habits that will help me succeed:	I already do this	I could do better
I do homework every night.
I complete projects on time.
I participate in class discussions.
I ask questions when I don’t understand.
I study for tests.
I get extra help when I need it.
I cooperate with teachers.
I work well with classmates.

Choosing Your Courses

What are the subjects in which you have a choice between academic and applied courses?
Applied and academic courses are offered in mathematics, English, science, French as a second language, geography, and history.

How will you decide which type of course – academic or applied – is best for you?
Your choice will depend on your strengths, your interests, and the way you learn best. Remember that you can choose different course types in different subjects – or the same type in all subjects. Your parents, teachers, guidance counsellor, and principal can provide you with more information, strategies for making decisions, and an opportunity to discuss your ideas about the choices you have to make.

The new system is designed to keep as many doors to postsecondary destinations open as possible, for as long as possible. Academic and applied courses in Grade 9 will prepare you for both academic and applied courses in Grade 10. The courses you choose for Grade 10 will be linked to your future goals.

Here is a chart to help you keep track of your choices. The smaller chart has been completed to give you an example of one student’s Grade 9 course selections. Your choices may be very different. To complete your own chart, you will need the course descriptions for the courses your high school offers for Grade 9 students. These can be found in the high school’s course calendar, or may be available from the principal of your elementary school.

My Grade 9 subjects	Course type: academic, applied, credit or an or open?	Is it a compulsory optional credit?
1. English	academic	compulsory
2. math	applied	compulsory
3. science	applied	compulsory
4. French	academic	compulsory
5. geography	academic	compulsory
6. Native studies	open	optional
7. technological education	open	compulsory
8. health and physical education	open	compulsory
9.

My Grade 9 subjects	Course type: academic, applied, or open?	Is it a compulsory credit or an optional credit?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Next: Appendix: Where to Go for Help

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