(Updated Dec. 2024)

Click on the links below to read detailed descriptions for ALL courses offered at LHSS for the current school year.  These descriptions can help you make more informed course selections for next year.  Make note of course prerequisites when choosing courses.

UPDATED 2024-2025 GRADE 9-12 COURSE CALENDAR

NEW – MYBLUEPRINT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
(ALL LHSS COURSE OFFERINGS)

ARTS

BUSINESS STUDIES

CANADIAN & WORLD STUDIES – GEOGRAPHY

CANADIAN & WORLD STUDIES – HISTORY

COMPUTER STUDIES

CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION

ENGLISH

GUIDANCE & CAREER EDUCATION

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (STUDENT LEADERSHIP)

LANGUAGES

MATHEMATICS

SCIENCE

SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES – FAMILY STUDIES

SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES – HISTORY

TECHNOLOGY

ACADEMIC PATHWAYS IN ONTARIO HIGH SCHOOLS12

As you begin to consider which courses to choose for grade 9, make sure you give some careful thought to the academic level you plan to pursue.  Your grade 8 teachers will provide recommendations as you complete your course selections.  Pay close attention to these recommendations, as your current teachers have developed a strong sense of your learning style and what may be most appropriate in grade 9.  Be aware that attempting to switch academic levels after a semester has started can be extremely difficult due to timetable and/or curriculum restrictions.

The academic level you choose will help lead to certain pathways through high school and beyond into post-secondary.  Laurel Heights’ guidance staff will assist throughout high school with goal setting, planning and redirection.

 

DESTREAMED GRADE 9 LEVEL (ex. MTH1WI)

  • De-streaming means that schools will no longer be offering most grade 9 core courses in the Academic or Applied levels (includes English, math & science)
  • Research shows that de-streaming results in better outcomes for all students and particularly for those who are from marginalized communities
  • Destreamed grade 9 courses allow students to select appropriate grade 10 courses (academic or applied) depending on pathway planning

ACADEMIC LEVEL (ex. ENG2DI)

  • Grade 9 and 10 academic courses can lead to University/Mixed or College level courses in gr. 11/12
  • Pathway to University or College as possible post-secondary destination
  • These courses are for the learner who:
    • Is self-motivated
    • Enjoys reading
    • Perseveres when challenged
    • Benefits from independence
    • Likes to explore beyond related learning
    • Recognizes the need for daily homework and review
    • Good time management skills

PRE-AP/ADVANCED PLACEMENT

  • Based on recommendations from the review of the AP program during the 2019/2020 academic year and due to the Ministry of Education’s directive to reorient Grade 9 programming for September 2021, changes to Laurel Heights’ pre-AP/AP program are as follows:
    • MATH –starts in grade 10 with MPM2DW 
    • This will allow teachers, as subject specialists, to better support the student’s application and their opportunity for success.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) program offers students the opportunity to pursue university-level studies while still in high school.
  • Students can earn credits for many universities and colleges in Canada and the USA.
  • Enrolling in Pre-AP courses prepares students for success in senior (grade 12) Advanced Placement courses (Calculus)
  • Pre-AP extends the current curriculum and enriches specific learning outcomes.
  • NOTE – we also offers Enriched French in grade 9-12 for students coming from French Immersion programs.
  • Although Pre-AP extends the curriculum, evaluation is based on the regular academic Ontario curriculum.
  • Visit our Pre-AP/AP page for more information.

ESSENTIAL LEVEL – FAST FORWARD (ex. ENG1LB)

  • Can lead to Workplace level courses in gr. 11/12
  • Pathway designed to prepare students to directly enter the world of work
  • These courses are for the learner who:
    • Benefit from more structure and reinforcement of concepts
    • Benefits from a variety of different activities to learn and master essential skills and knowledge
    • Enjoys learning by doing
    • Smaller class sizes & in-class support

OPEN LEVEL (ex. AVI1OI)

  • “O” level courses offered in grades 9 & 10
  • Elective courses (ex. Phys-ed, Art, Business, Tech)
  • Appropriate for all students, regardless of level
  • Electives become Open, College or Mixed level in grades 11/12 depending on subject area