ANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL

1
ANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL

• Grade Nine
• Option Information
• 2014-2015
• School Year

2
How do we organize your courses?

• Two Semesters
• Semester 1
• 4 courses Sept to Jan
• Semester 2
• 4 courses Feb to June

3
How do we organize your courses?

• We do our best to balance your semesters
• Here is a sample timetable

Semester 1 Semester 2
English Exploring Technologies
Phys. Ed. French
Math Science
Visual Art Geography
4
What do you need to graduate?

• 18 compulsory credits
• 12 elective credits
• 40 hours community involvement
• Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

CONGRATULATIONS
Class of 2018!
5
How can you make sure you get all the courses you
need?

• Each year students use an academic planner to
  make sure they are on track.

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
English English English English
Math Math Math
Science Science
Geography History
French Careers/Civics
Phys. Ed.
Arts

6
Grade 9 Compulsory Credits

• 1 Canadian Geography
• 1 English
• 1 French
• 1 Mathematics
• 1 Science

7
Grade 9s also must select

• A Physical and Health Education course
• Healthy Active Living (male/female)
• OR
• Hockey Focused Course (co-ed)
• OR
• Performance Sport Training Course (co-ed)
• Students take basketball, volleyball, and soccer

8
Grade 9 Elective courses

• Students choose 2 of the following
• Visual Arts
• Dramatic Arts
• Instrumental Music
• Business Information Technologies - computers
• Exploring Technologies
• Food and Nutrition
• Latin

We recommend choosing 1 Arts course in grade 9
9
Community Involvement Hours

• Students can begin their community involvement
  hours during the summer after grade 8
• We ask that students plan to have these finished
  at the end of grade 10
• Make sure you know if the activity is eligible
  for this diploma requirement

10
How do I know if the activity is eligible?

• Is the organization community based or not for
  profit?
• GOOD!
• Is the activity something that is usually a paid
  position?
• NOT ELIGILBLE!
• Check out the Boards website at
• http//www.hwdsb.on.ca/students/cih
• or the Ancaster High School website for
  information on this.

11
The OSSLT grade 10 literacy test

• Students start preparing for this in grade 9
• All Ontario students will write this test in the
  spring of their grade 10 year
• Ancaster High School has a VERY high success rate
  in passing the Literacy Test

12
What levels of courses will you be selecting?

• Academic Courses
• Develop knowledge and skills with emphasis on
  theory and abstract thinking
• Designed for the student who has mastered the
  grade 8 curriculum
• Often these students are heading to university or
  college after high school

13
Academic course success

• Students will learn at a quick pace
• Homework is an expectation each night at least
  one hour
• Independent work is very important
• Studying for tests is critical
• The details are given a greater importance

14
Enriched Courses

• Enriched courses in English, Math, and Science
• Cover the same curriculum as academic courses.
• Students can explore and investigate extensions
  to the regular content.
• Well-suited for students who have a passion for
  the subject, who are identified as gifted ,
  students who are interested in the IB Diploma.
• Credit granted on the final student transcript is
  the regular academic credit.

15
Levels of Courses

• Applied Courses
• Develop knowledge and skills with emphasis on
  practical applications
• Often these students are heading to an
  apprenticeship or college after high school

16
Applied course success

• Students will be given more time to work with
  concepts before moving on to the next topic
• More class time will be spent working with
  concepts, less independent work
• Homework is expected, but there will be fewer
  hours of it
• Focus is less on details and more on understanding

17
Levels of Courses

• Locally Developed Compulsory Courses
• These courses are for students not yet ready for
  the grade 9 curriculum
• The Elementary School Principal will recommend
  students for this level
• Often these students are heading directly to work
  after high school

18
What level do I choose?

• Success in grade 9 is important.
• Select the course level that suits your current
  learning style in that subject.
• Students can select Applied or Academic levels
  for different courses.
• Changing pathways is possible once you are in
  high school.

19
Open Courses-electives and Phys Ed

• These courses are designed for all types of
  learners
• Provide students with a broad educational base
• These are interest based or skill based courses

20
The Grade 9 Registration Sheet
21
The Grade 9 Option Sheet
22
I.B. International Baccalaureate Diploma

• Ancaster High offers the 2 year I.B. Diploma
  Programme, starting in grade 11
• Students will be granted BOTH an O.S.S.D. and an
  I.B. diploma when they graduate
• To prepare for this grade 11/12 program, students
  enroll in the Grade 9 Enriched courses

23
SHSM Aviation and Aerospace

• Students can begin this program in grade 11
• There are no special requirements to take this
  program, but we recommend you take technology
  courses in grade 9 and 10

24
What clubs are at Ancaster High?

• Student Council planning our school year
• Art club making the world more beautiful
• Econinjas a better environment for all
• HOPE helping others
• Digital Photography Club preserving our
  memories
• GAA and BAA helping our athletes be their best

25
And even more!

• OCEAN social justice and environmental
• Book Club
• Dance Team
• Student Voice
• Knitting Club
• ........ and the great thing is, if theres
  something you want to start, you can!

26
Sports at Ancaster High

• There are girls and boys teams in almost ALL
  sports going!
• There are grade 9 or junior sports in basketball,
  soccer, football, hockey, waterpolo, tennis...

27
Course SelectionDue Date

• The Boards deadline for all Grade 9 course
  selection sheets is
• February 28, 2014

28
Questions?

• Remember we are here to help you.
• If you have any questions, please contact Student
  Services at Ancaster High and we will work to
  help you.