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All persons interested in secondary education at the Virtual High School (Ontario) will find below a summary and discussion of the relevant policies set out in Ontario Secondary Schools, Grades 9 to 12: Program and Diploma Requirements, 1999 (OSS) as set out by the Ministry of Education. This new curriculum is being fully implemented for all students in Virtual High School (Ontario) starting in September 2002.

All of the Ontario Curriculum Documents are to be made available to parents, guardians and students. Please contact the Principal of the Kitchener-Waterloo Private School if you would like access to these documents.

Remedial assistance for students whose English language skills are still developing can be provided.

7.1 Types of Secondary School Courses

The curriculum is organized into several types of courses, intended to enable students to choose courses suited to their strengths, interests, and goals. In Grades 9 and 10, three types of courses are offered: academic, applied, and open. Courses in Grades 11 and 12 are designed to prepare students for a postsecondary destination which may include university, college, apprenticeship training, or the workplace. A credit is granted by the Principal on behalf of the Ministry of Education in recognition of the successful completion of the expectations of a 110-hour course that has been developed or approved by the Ministry of Education.

The common course code of all courses at the Virtual High School (Ontario) consists both of a five code character and a course title component, as designated by the Ministry of Education and Training in Ontario:

For example: MPM1D a, Principles of Mathematics

7.1.1 Grades 9 and 10 courses

Students choose between academic and applied courses in each of the core subjects – English, French as a second language, mathematics, science, geography, and history. In planning, stakeholders should take into account the need to adapt instructional approaches and materials to reflect the differences between the two course types.

Academic courses

Academic courses develop a student's knowledge base and skills through the study of theory and abstract problems. These courses focus on the essential concepts of a subject and explore related concepts as well. They incorporate practical applications as appropriate.

Applied courses

Applied courses focus on the essential concepts of a subject, and develop a student's knowledge base and skills through practical applications and concrete examples. Familiar situations are used to illustrate ideas, and students are given more opportunities to experience hands-on applications of the concepts and theories they study.

Open courses

Open course are the only type of course offered in most subjects other than those listed above. They are designed to prepare students for further study in a subject, and to enrich their education generally. Open courses comprise a set of expectations that are appropriate for all students.

Students in Grades 9 and 10 will make the choice between academic, applied and open courses primarily on the basis of their strengths, interests, and needs. Their parents or guardians, the Principal and teachers, will help them make their choices, which will be reflected in their Annual Education Plan.

7.1.2 Crossover Materials

When a student plans to switch from one course type in Grade 9 to the other in Grade 10, the principal will inform the student and his or her parents that the student will be strongly encouraged to successfully complete additional course work, as defined by the ministry, of up to 30 hours, in order to demonstrate achievement of the learning expectations that are included in the one Grade 9 course but not the other.

7.1.3 Grades 11 and 12 Courses

In Grades 11 and 12, students will choose from among destination-related course types: university preparation, university/college preparation, college preparation, workplace preparation, and open courses. Students will make their choices based on their interest, achievement, and career goals. Prerequisites are specified for many of the courses offered in Grades 11 and 12. These prerequisites are identified in the Course of Study document for each course.

University preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for university programs.

University/College preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for specific programs offered at universities and colleges.

College preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the requirements for entrance to most college programs or for admission to apprenticeship or other training programs.

Workplace preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the expectations of employers, if they plan to enter the workplace directly after graduation, or the requirements for admission to certain apprenticeship or other training programs.

Open courses are designed to broaden students’ knowledge and skills in subjects that reflect their interests and to prepare them for active and rewarding participation in society. They are not designed with the specific requirements of universities, colleges, or the workplace.

7.1.4 Transfer Courses

A transfer course is a partial-credit course (0.25 credit or 0.5 credit) that bridges the gap between courses of two different types in the same subject but different grades. Students who revise their educational and career goals and who wish to change from one destination-related stream to another in a particular subject may often do so by taking a transfer course. The student and their parent or guardian, must make this request in writing to the Principal of Virtual High School (Ontario).

Transfer courses enable students to achieve the expectations not covered in one course type but required for entry into a course in the next grade. For example, the prerequisite for the Grade 11 university preparation course in English is the Grade 10 academic course in English. A student who is taking the applied English course in Grade 10 but who decides to enter the university preparation course in Grade 11 may do so by taking a transfer course.

Transfer courses may earn the successful student 0.25 credits or 0.50 credits as they change from one course type to another in the same subject between Grade 10 and Grade 11 or between Grade 11 and Grade 12.

7.1.5 Prerequisite Courses

A course is designated as a prerequisite for a subsequent course only if it is absolutely essential for the successful understanding of the subsequent course. Prerequisite courses are established by Ministry Curriculum Guidelines and communicated to students in the Course of Study.

If a parent or an adult student requests that a prerequisite be waived, the principal will determine whether or not the prerequisite should be waived. A principal may also initiate consideration of whether a prerequisite should be waived. The principal will make his or her decision in consultation with the parent or adult student and appropriate school staff.

7.2 Programs for Exceptional Students

Recognizing the needs of exceptional students and designing courses to meet those needs are important and challenging aspects of program planning. A regulation made under the Education Act requires that Virtual High School (Ontario) establish a committee, called an Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC), to identify and place exceptional students coming into the Virtual High School (Ontario). When the IPRC identifies a student as exceptional, it must, in its statement of decision, provide a description of the student’s strengths and needs and a decision on appropriate placement for the student. If the decision is to place the student in a special course, the IPRC must state the reasons for that decision.

7.2.1 Reaching Ahead

Elementary school students may reach ahead and take high school credits. This may occur only after the Principal of the Virtual High School (Ontario) consults with the student, their parents or guardians and the Principal of the elementary school of the student. The Principal must ensure that the learning expectations of the Grade 8 course have been met. The Principal is also responsible for evaluating the student's achievement of the expectations of the high school course as well as the issuing of the credit.

7.3 Online Courses Available

Students may register for any course at any time during the calendar year, progress through at their own rate and finish the course at any time. The Virtual High School (Ontario) is busily working with curriculum writers around the Province of Ontario to create all of the courses that our students are demanding.

7.3.1 Course List

As of May 24, 2006, here is a list of courses that students may immediately register for:

Grade 9: BBI1O BTT1O CGC1D ELDEO ENG1D ENG1P FSF1D MFM1P MPM1D PPL1O SNC1D SNC1P

Grade 10: BBI2O BTT2O CHC2D CHV2O ENG2D GLC2O LLL2O MFM2P MPM2D SNC2D

Grade 11: BAF3M CHA3U CHW3M EMS3O ENG3C ENG3K ENG3U HRT3M MCF3M MCR3U SBI3U SPH3U ETC3M ICS3M

Grade 12: CGW4U CIA4U ENG4C ENG4U ETS4U EWC4U ICS4M MCV4U MDM4U MHF4U APCalAB SBI4U SCH4U SPH4C

It is expected that by fall of 2008, some of the following courses will be available to students for registration: SNC2P, TIK2O, BTA3O, SCH3U, SPH4U, FSF1O, and PP2O.