Upper School Course Guide
Course Selection Resources
Types of Courses and Course Coding
In Grades 9 and 10, the Ontario Secondary courses are: Academic (D), De-streamed (W), and Open (O)
As implemented by the Ontario Ministry of Education, Grade 9 math and science are both de-streamed.
Academic courses focus on the essential concepts of the discipline and also explore related concepts. Academic courses develop students’ knowledge and skills by emphasizing theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts and incorporating practical applications as appropriate.
Open courses allow students to broaden their knowledge and skills in a particular subject that may or may not be related to their post-secondary goals, but that reflect their interests.
Academic courses focus on the essential concepts of the discipline and also explore related concepts. Academic courses develop students’ knowledge and skills by emphasizing theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts and incorporating practical applications as appropriate.
Open courses allow students to broaden their knowledge and skills in a particular subject that may or may not be related to their post-secondary goals, but that reflect their interests.
In Grades 11 and 12, the Ontario Secondary courses are: University preparation (U), University/College preparation (M), and Advanced Placement (AP)
University preparation (U) courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for university programs. All (U) courses are based on rigorous provincial curriculum expectations and emphasize the development of both independent research skills and independent learning skills.
University/College preparation (M) courses include content that is relevant for both university and college programs. Teaching and learning emphasize both theoretical aspects and concrete applications of the course content.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses provide students with enrichment opportunities that may lead to the exemption of a first-year university-level course. AP courses are offered in a number of subjects whereby they earn Ontario credits and have the option to write the AP examination in May, administered by the College Board.
University/College preparation (M) courses include content that is relevant for both university and college programs. Teaching and learning emphasize both theoretical aspects and concrete applications of the course content.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses provide students with enrichment opportunities that may lead to the exemption of a first-year university-level course. AP courses are offered in a number of subjects whereby they earn Ontario credits and have the option to write the AP examination in May, administered by the College Board.
Definition of a Credit
A credit is earned when a student successfully completes a course for which a minimum of 110 hours of instruction has been scheduled.
How to Read a Course Code
All of the courses have been assigned codes in accordance with the Ministry of Education subject guidelines. Consider FSF3U: the first three letters indicate the subject, the fourth character indicates the grade of the course, and the final letter denotes the type of course, e.g. FSF3U is the code for: French — Grade 11 — University Preparation.
Prerequisites
Most courses in Grades 10 to 12 have prerequisites as a requirement for enrolment. In this course guide, all prerequisite courses have been identified in accordance with Ministry curriculum policy documents.
