Introduction - Top
The selection of courses and programs in secondary school depends on a partnership between students, parents the school and the community.
Important Note to Parents/Guardians - Top
While the Secondary School program is based on a four-year program of study please note that there is no Ministry of Education requirement stating that students must finish their secondary school program in four years. Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board encourages students to plan their high school pathway in such a way that will maximize achievement, post-secondary opportunities and personal satis¬faction. Many students may find that four and a half or five years of secondary school are required.
This Course Calendar will assist students and parents in making those important course and program selections. It is important to emphasize, however, that the Course Calendar is not the only source of information. Teachers, counselors and administrators can provide valuable assistance in all matters related to course selec¬tion, program and career planning. Students and parents are encouraged to seek advice and assistance from these professionals.
Not all courses listed in this calendar are available at every school. School option sheets indicate what courses are offered at each school in each program area. Students and parents should note that course offerings are subject to enrollment.
This course calendar is laid out in six major sections. This first section contains General Information about Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board secondary schools and their services. More specific details on each of these items may be obtained from each school in the board. The next section is diploma requirements for students. It is followed by course selection information and course descriptions in alphabetical order according to subject. Special Program Delivery Options are listed next, followed by Experiential Learning Programs, and School Pages.
Evaluation of Student Achievement - Top
Students will be evaluated in a variety of ways, in order to give an accurate picture of what they have learned, and how they have progressed. Assessment and evaluation will be based on development of the learning skills and work habits and achievement of the curriculum expectations, as outlined in all courses of study.
An evaluation outline for each course in which the student is enrolled is provided at the beginning of the semester and copies of these are available to parents/guardians upon request.
Parents will continue to be informed of their child’s progress through a regular schedule of report cards. The Provincial Report Card will be used to provide information regarding academic progress and development of the learning skills and work habits, in a consistent way throughout all schools. Parents are encouraged to contact their school via phone or email for information or advice on the progress of their child at any time during the school year.
Ontario Student Transcript (OST) - Top
The Ontario Student Transcript (OST) provides an official and consistent summary of student achievement in Ontario secondary school credit courses.
As students earn secondary school credits, their personal achievement in each course is recorded on this form as a percentage grade.
After the student leaves school, the Ontario Student Transcript will be kept on file and a copy will be provided to the stu¬dent upon graduation or leaving school. The record is maintained in case he/she ever needs an official report of marks, such as might be required by a college, university or employer. Marks will not be released by the school without the permission of the student or of a parent/guardian if the student is under 18.
Full Disclosure - Top
The following procedures will be used upon withdrawal from a course and repetition of a course.
Withdrawal From a Grade 9 or 10 Course - Top
Withdrawals from grade 9 and 10 courses are not recorded on the OST. Only successfully completed courses are recorded on the OST.
Withdrawal From a Grade 11 or 12 Course - Top
If a student withdraws from a course after five instructional days following the issue of the mid-semester report card, the withdrawal is recorded on the OST by entering a "W" in the "Credit" column. The student's percentage grade at the time of the withdrawal is recorded in the "Percentage Grade" column. Withdrawals prior to that time are not recorded.
Repetition of a Course - Top
Students, who repeat a course that they have previously completed successfully, can earn only one credit for the course. However, in Grades 11 and 12 each attempt and percentage grade obtained is recorded on the OST, and an “R" is entered in the “Credit" column for the course(s) along with the lower percentage grade.
For more information regarding these policies, see the Student Services personnel in your school.
Ontario Student Records - Top
An Ontario Student Record (OSR) file is maintained for each student. This record is a basic element in the process of monitoring a student's progress through school. Once a student's progress and achievement have been measured and evaluated, they are recorded in the OSR. Other data recorded include date of birth, Social Insurance Number, Ministry of Education number, schools attended, and names of parents/guardians.
A student and his/her parents may have access to the student's OSR. For more information about this, please contact the Student Services department at your school.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) - Top
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby students may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge and skills that students have acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside secondary school. Students may have their knowledge and skills evaluated against the expectations outlined in provincial curriculum policy documents in order to earn credits toward their secondary school diploma.
PLAR procedures are carried out under the direction of the school principal who grants credits. PLAR is available for courses in Grades 10, 11 and 12 to students registered in a HWDSB secondary school. More information on the PLAR process is available in all Student Services departments. Mature students please refer to the Assessment Centre - PLAR. (
Ontario Code of Conduct - Top
The Ontario Code of Conduct sets clear provincial standards of behaviour and specifies the mandatory consequences for student actions that do not comply with the standards. The Provincial standards of behaviour apply not only to stu¬dents, but also to all individuals involved in the publicly funded school system – parents/guardians, volunteers, teach¬ers, and other staff members – whether they are on school property, on school buses, or at school-authorized events or activities.
In addition to the Ontario Code of Conduct, each school is responsible for developing a School Code of Conduct that is in line with the provincial code under its Safe Schools Policy. The School Code is to be developed and reviewed regularly with input from school councils, students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, and the community. Copies of The Ontario Code of Conduct are available at your local school and on the Ministry of Education's website at: www.edu.gov.on.ca.
Special Education - Top
Secondary School students with special learning needs may require special services or programs to benefit fully from their school experience. The Special Education programs and services of the Board are outlined in the pamphlet entitled “Working Together: A Guide to Special Education/Student Services”. This guide is available in all school offices, Learning Resource rooms, and on the Board website – www.hwdsb.on.ca/programs/specialed
For more information, please contact your School Administrator or Learning Resource teacher.
Special Education Report - Top
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s Special Education Report is available on the Board’s website - www.hwdsb.on.ca/programs/specialed/plan
Special education advisory committee (SEAC) - Top
The Special Education Advisory Committee is a standing committee of the Board. Its membership includes representatives of various parent associations, trustees, and other related community agencies, as well as elementary and secondary principal and teacher groups. The committee advises the Board on matters relating to Special Education. The representatives advocate for special needs children and youth regardless of their exceptionality and can be of assistance to all parents. SEAC contact information is available in “Working Together: A Guide to Special Education/Student Services”, from your School Administrator or Learning Resource Teacher.
Guidance and Career Education - Top
Secondary school students must make a wide range of decisions about school, personal, social and career concerns. From adjusting to grade nine to designing a pathway through secondary school, the Student Services Department of each secondary school helps students cope with these difficult decisions. Once a student reaches secondary school, an educational plan is a useful way to decide on the courses to take after the introductory grade nine program. Such a plan will take into account the student's career plans including post-secondary education, while ensuring that the requirements for the graduation diplo¬ma (OSSD) are met.
A vital and integral part of secondary school is the guidance and career education program. The content of the program is organized into three areas of learning – stu¬dent development (i.e. the development of habits and skills necessary for learning), interpersonal development (i.e. the development of knowledge and skills needed in getting along with others), and career development (i.e. the develop¬ment of knowledge and skills needed for setting short and long term goals and for planning the future).
Each school in Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board will have a Guidance and Career Education Program Plan on file.
Assessment Centre - Top
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Assessment Centre is located in the Dr. Harry Paikin Room in the Education Centre. The operation of the office is under the direction of the Principal of Equity.
The Assessment Centre provides a variety of services for students new to the Board and those re-registering with us. For newcomer students and their families, the Assessment Centre provides English language and mathematics assessments to assist students and schools in accessing appropriate resources and making the best course placement decisions. It is important to note that the assessment is not a formal placement test. The initial assessment process includes orientation to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements and Pathways options and introduction to the SWISH program.
English as a second language (ESL) assessments are conducted for elementary and secondary school students. Elementary school students are referred to the Assessment Centre by their home schools, whereas secondary school students must make an appointment at the Assessment Centre prior to registering for school.
Before registering in a secondary school, students meeting ANY of the following requirements must have their English language skills assessed at the Assessment Centre:
- New to Canada, entering the Ontario school system for the first time and whose first language is not English
- From a French language school in Canada
Attended a school where English was not the language of instruction
- ESL students transferring from another Canadian school board to Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
Following the assessment, an appropriate ESL or ELD program placement is recommended and an appointment is made for the student to register at the school.
Students who have obtained secondary school credits outside Canada can also have their prior learning assessed for Prior Learning Equivalent Credits (PLEC).
Prior Learning Equivalent Credits (PLEC) - Top
Students who are eligible for Prior Learning Equivalent Credits are those who have transferred to Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board secondary schools from:
- outside Canada;
- other provinces;
- non-inspected private schools;
- home schooling environments.
Assessment of prior learning is initiated at the HWDSB Assessment Centre, however, the granting of Prior Learning Equivalent Credits is the responsibility of the principal of the school that the student attends.
Settlement Workers in Schools - Hamilton (SWISH) - Top
In partnership with Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO), the Assessment Centre also has a SWISH worker on site to assist families with first year settlement needs. SWISH is dedicated to building bridges to link newcomer students and their parents/guardians with school resources and social/cultural services in the community. SWISH strives to:
- Provide newcomers with a wide range of settlement services, including information and support, problem-solving, and assist them with settlement needs, consolations, orientation to the education system, library tours, recreation, health, and housing systems
- Refer to social services and other community agencies, provide cultural translation and advocacy on the behalf of newcomers and make strong efforts to reach families
- Provide information about SWISH/SISO programs and community resources
- Link newcomer families with existing services and programs inside and outside of SISO, facilitate and create opportunities that develop leadership and encourage socialization.
If you have further questions about how the SWISH program can assist you and your family, please contact the SWISH Coordinator at Settlement and Integration Services Organization 905-667-7494.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) - Mature Students - Top
The Assessment Centre also provides PLAR support for mature students wishing to pursue their high school diplomas. A mature student is a minimum of 18 years old and has been out of school for at least 1 year. PLAR is the formal evaluation and credit granting process through which mature students may obtain equivalent credits for knowledge and skills that they have acquired since leaving secondary school.
The PLAR process includes:
- Grade 9 and 10 equivalency process
- Grade 11 and 12 equivalency process
- Grade 11 and 12 challenge process
A mature student must be enrolled in a secondary school course to be eligible for PLAR and must have completed a minimum of 1 credit to be granted the equivalency credits for which they are eligible.
For more information and details about how to apply for PLAR, or to obtain a brochure on The PLAR Process for Mature Students, contact the Assessment Centre at (905) 521-2554.
Interscholastic Athletics - Top
Any student wishing to participate in interscholastic athletic competition should be aware of eligibility requirements as outlined in Hamilton-Wentworth Interscholastic Athletic Council Constitution. Individual schools may have specific requirements as well. Further information can be obtained from the school Principal and the Head of Physical and Health Education – Male or Female.
OFSAA Transfer Policy - Top
Student athletes who transfer to or from a Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board secondary school are subject to the requirements of the OFSAA Transfer Policy. The Transfer Policy offers a number of exceptions to meet some circumstances of students changing schools, however students and parents should be aware that all transfer students are ineligible for interschool competition until declared eligible through the transfer process. Further information can be obtained from the school Principal and the Head of Physical and Health Education – Male or Female.
It is unethical and unacceptable for students to transfer schools for the sole purpose of interscholastic competition.
Parent Assistant - Top
Parent Assistant is a module of eSIS, our student information system. It allows parents to log in through a website and view information about their child such as attendance history, grade history, diploma requirements, option sheets and more.
All secondary schools in the HWDSB have implemented the Parent Assistant program. Parents are encouraged to check with their child’s school for information on how to receive their Parent Assistant user IDs and password (photo ID is required). More information and instructional videos can be found at the Parent Assistant website: www.hwdsb.on.ca/parents/assistant
