Academics

 

Explanation of Course Codes

Courses of Study and Diploma Requirements

Credit System

Course Selection

When selecting your courses of study, the following information should be kept in mind:

  • Consider carefully YOUR VOCATIONAL GOALS and the educational requirements necessary to achieve them. Then select the courses that will enable you to reach these goals.
  • It is generally to your advantage, both at school and for the future, to choose courses at the highest level at which you can expect to work effectively.
  • Plan your programme as far as possible. Many subjects such as mathematics and languages should be taken in a continuous sequence.
  • Many courses are built upon skills learned the previous year and thus should be selected in the proper sequence. In other words, PREREQUISITES constitute a background which is vital if success is to be achieved in a particular subject.
  • The ultimate approval of the optional subjects selected by the students is with their parents.
  • Students planning to continue their education after high school should be aware of the changing requirements for higher institutions of education. These students are strongly advised to consult the guidance counsellor and calendars of post-secondary institutions.

Individual teachers and the guidance counsellor are always available to assist students as they plan and choose their courses.

In some cases students may take courses offered by the school in supervised independent study. This might occur when enrolment for a course is not high enough to warrant its placement in the timetable, and when a student needs the course to complete a program. Please see the Guidance office for details.

NOTE: Although every attempt will be made to offer a full complement of courses, staffing shortages or lack of required enrolment may result in some courses being withdrawn. Some courses are offered in alternate years.

 

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Explanation of Course Codes

The first character indicates the subject area.

A - Arts
B - Business
C -Canadian and World Studies
E - English
F - French
G - Guidance
H - Humanities
I - Information Science
M - Mathematics
P - Physical & Health Education
S - Science
T - Technological Studies

The next two characters are letters and, in conjunction with the first, indicate the subject.

 CGC -Canadian Geography    CHC - Canadian History

The fourth character indicates the grade in which the subject is offered.

1 - Grade 9
2 - Grade 10
3 - Grade 11
4 - Grade 12

The fifth character in the course code indicates the course category:

D – Academic
Academic courses focus on the development of students’ knowledge by emphasizing theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts while incorporating theoretical applications as appropriate.

P – Applied
Applied courses develop students’ knowledge and skills by emphazising practical, concrete applications of essential concepts while incorporating theoretical applications as appropriate.

O - Open
Open courses are designed to provide students with a broad education base that will prepare them for their studies in Grades 11 and 12 and help prepare them for their role in society.

U - University Preparation
University preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for university programs.  The range of courses offered and the content of these courses will allow students to prepare for university programs and related careers.

M - University/College Preparation
University/college preparation courses included content that is relevant for both university and college programs.  These course are designed to equip students with the knowledge and sills they need to meet the entrance requirements for specific university and college programs

C - College Preparation
College preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for college programs.  The range of courses offered and the content of these courses will allow students to prepare for college programs and related careers.

E - Workplace Preparation
Workplace preparation courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need for direct entry into the workplace or for admission to apprenticeship programs and other training programs offered in the community.

The sixth character indicates credit value.

1 - Full Credit 
5 - Half Credit 

Example: GCC2D1
Area of Study – Canadian and World Studies
Subject - Geography, Canada
 Grade Level - 10
Level of Instruction - Academic
Credits - One

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Courses of Study and Diploma Requirements

The daily life of the school, including the courses of study, is motivated by a Christian view of life. We see all of the material studied as part of God's Creation: Math as a tool for understanding our universe; Language as a gift and a responsibility; Social Sciences as part of the drama of God's history of redemption and so on. Detailed course outlines are on file at the school office.

Diploma requirements are similar to those set down by the Ministry of Education and graduation means receiving the Woodland Christian High School Diploma as well as the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. All students must successfully complete 30 credits or equivalent to graduate.

Starting in September, 1999, students in Grade Nine will earn credits in the academic, applied or open categories. Credit is available in many courses in Grades 11 and 12, with the exception of some senior optional courses, at both the Advanced level and the General level. It is advised that students not opt for the minimum requirements each year, but that they see schooling as an opportunity to receive as challenging an education as possible.

Students are expected to maintain a cumulative understanding of their progress, choosing courses which will serve them best in their career and future educational choices. Teachers and the Guidance Counselor are always available for advice and counseling, to help students choose courses which will serve each of them to their individual advantage. It is a primary aim of staff to meet each student at his/her point of need.

In addition to the courses required to complete diploma requirements, all students will take Biblical Studies in Grade 9 and 10 as a normal part of their timetable and they will take two of four "Worldview" courses [World Issues Geography (CGW4U1), Family Studies (HHS4M1), Philosophy (HZT4U1), Media (EMS3O1)] in their senior years.

To meet the needs of individual students, the principal may replace up to three compulsory courses (or the equivalent in half courses) from the reminder of those that meet the compulsory credit requirements. In other words, in order to ensure that all students can graduate, in some cases compulsory courses may be replaced by other courses offered by the school.

Ministry of Education (OSIS) requirements for students in Grades Twelve and up are as follows:
Compulsory Credits (Total 16)
  • 5 credits in English (2  Senior Division) 
  • 1 credit in French as a second language
  • 2 credits in Mathematics
  • 2 credits in Science
  • 1 credit in Canadian geography 
  • 1 credit in Canadian history 
  • 1 additional credit in social sciences (Senior Division)
  • 1 credit in the arts
  • 1 credit in physical and health education
  • 1 credit in technological studies
AND Elective Credits (total of 14)
 
new ----Requirements for an OSSD
To earn a diploma, students require 30 credits. These credits include the following 16 compulsory credits and 14 optional subjects:

Compulsory Credits:

5 credits in English, at least 2 senior division

1 credit in French as a second language

2 credits in Mathematics

2 credits in Science

1 credit in Canadian History

1 credit in Canadian Geography

1 credit in the Arts

1 credit in Health and Physical Education

1 credit in Business or Technological Education

1 credit in Senior Social Science

Credit System

A credit is granted in recognition of the successful completion of a course that has been scheduled for a minimum of 110 hours. A course is successfully completed if a student obtains a final mark of 50% or better.

Credits may also be earned through a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition process (PLAR). In the PLAR process a student’s learning in situations prior to school attendance is assessed by means of tests and other instruments. If the student demonstrates mastery of the material outlined in a course based on Ministry policy documents, that student may be awarded credit for that course. In other cases equivalency credits may be granted if a student has attended school at some point outside Ontario or in a non-inspected private school. Please see the Guidance office for further details.

Woodland Christian High School is a registered private school and is authorized to issue the Ontario Secondary School Diploma to students who have completed the requirements set out by the Ministry of Education.