DEFINITION OF A CREDIT
A credit is earned upon successful completion of a course for which a minimum of 110 hours has been scheduled. A credit is granted to a student by the principal of a secondary school on behalf of the Minister of Education and Training.

TYPES OF COURSES:  GRADES 9 AND 10

Academic, applied, and open courses are offered in Grades 9 and 10. Locally developed compulsory credit (LDCC) and alternative courses are also offered for students receiving Special Education support.

Academic courses develop students= knowledge 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.

Applied courses focus on essential concepts of a subject, and develop students’ knowledge 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.

Students must choose between Academic and Applied courses in the core subjects: English, French, mathematics, science, geography and history. In addition, English, mathematics, and science are offered as Locally Developed Compulsory Credit courses.

Open courses 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.

Locally Developed Compulsory Credit (LDCC) courses are Ministry designed courses for students who require additional support in mathematics, science and English. The suitability of one or all of these courses is determined at the Grade 8 and 9 annual review held for students with an IEP, and for other students in consultation with teachers and parents/guardians at registration and course selection time. Students may also take a learning strategies course to support their learning.

Alternative (Non-credit) courses: Alternative programming is available for students who need employability and life-skills development in preparation for their transition into community living and the workplace. These non-credit (K) courses are provided for a small number of exceptional students who are unable to meet the requirements of credit courses.

Crossover Material – changing course types: grades 9 to 10
Crossover material will allow students to switch from one course type in grade 9 to the other in grade 10 in the same subject. Principals must inform students and parents/guardians that this crossover material (of up to 30 hours) is not a credit but will allow the student to demonstrate achievement of the learning expectations that are included in the one grade 9 course but not the other.

This crossover material is to be completed by the student independently and may be done over the summer, outside the regular school day or during school hours. Students work at their own pace without a teacher. The student will be able to access the material at the school.

TYPES OF COURSES:  GRADES 11 AND 12

Courses in grades 11 and 12 are designed to prepare students for a post-secondary destination. There are 5 types of courses offered:

1. University:  designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to
   meet the entrance requirements for university programs and applied
   degree programs at all community colleges.
2. University/College: includes content that is relevant for both university and college
   programs or for admission to apprenticeship and other training programs.
3. College:designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for most college programs or for admission to apprenticeship and other training programs.
4. Workplace: 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.
5. Open: focus on general skills and knowledge related to both theory and practical application. There is one set of expectations for all students.

NOTE: Course Outlines and Ontario Curriculum Policy Documents are available upon request at the school and at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary .

Transfer Courses 
Transfer courses are available, through summer school, to students wishing to change course types (University, College, University/College, Workplace) between Grade 10 and 11 and/or Grade 11 and 12. These Transfer Courses are partial credit courses (0.5). Prerequisites for grade 11 and 12 courses are specified in the Curriculum Policy Documents. A student who has completed a course of one type in a particular subject and grade that does not meet a stated prerequisite for a course in the same subject in the next grade may take a transfer course. This partial credit course bridges the gap between the course completed and the course of the type designated as a prerequisite.

COURSE CHANGES AND WITHDRAWALS
Students wishing to change a course must consult with a guidance counsellor. Course transfers are possible if made within the first two weeks of a semester but are dependent upon available space in the appropriate classes. Students must follow their established timetable in its entirety until any changes have been officially approved.

A grade 12 student carrying a full course load of 4 credits may be able to withdraw from a course. Withdrawal after 5 school days following the issue of the mid-term report card from any grade 11 or 12 course will be noted on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST) and indicated by a “W”:  The percentage grade that is reported will be the grade at the time of withdrawal.

Explanation Of Course Coding System
The common course code consists of the following components, designated by the Ministry of Education and Training:

• six code characters
• a course title

For example:   MPM1D1, ENG4C1, CHV2O5