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Specialty Programs

 

Specialist High Skills Major Program (SHSM)

The SHSM program provides students with essential skills and work experience. In grades 11 & 12 students focus their learning on components of an economic sector while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. SHSM lets students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests. Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma when they:

  • Complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student’s select field
  • Earn valuable industry certification including first aid and CPR qualifications
  • Gain important skills on the job with employers

SHSM is designed for grade 11 and 12 students who are:

  • Heading for apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace
  • Wanting to identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed choices about their next steps after high school

SHSM's that could be offered:

  • Arts and Culture (Visual Arts, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, or Dance and Drama Focus)
  • Business (Business or Social justice Focus)
  • Health and Wellness (Health Care or Child & Family Services Focus)
  • Sports
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation
  • Computer Technology

**Note- The SHSM's offered from year to year may be subject to change

Co-operative Learning Program (Co-op)

Cooperative Education is an opportunity for students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work placement. Students who enrol in this program gain valuable work experience and benefit from “test-driving” a career before moving to post-secondary.   


Ontario Youth Apprencticeship Program (OYAP) 

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program. Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified persons in a skilled trade while completing the requirements for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). 

OYAP-FAST – New September 2025

Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST) is an accelerated stream within OYAP that will allow students in Grades 11 and 12 to participate in more apprenticeship learning through additional co-operative education credits while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

To participate in OYAP-FAST, students must:

Meet the OYAP eligibility requirements

Be 15 years old or older
Have completed 14 credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Complete an OYAP Participant Form during their Co-op placement

Select Coop "DCO3OO" as part of the grade 11 High School Plan in MyBlueprint during course selection

Complete the Intent to Register Application Form available from the school Coop and Guidance Departments

Complete the Student Intent to Participate Form (also available printed from the school Coop and Guidance Departments) and return to assigned Guidance Counsellor

Have signed parent/guardian consent to participate in OYAP-FAST

 Student Intent to Participate Form

Completion requirements for OYAP-FAST include that a student has:

Earned 8 to 11 Cooperative Education credits with their placement component in the skilled trades.
Registered as an apprentice (obtained a Registered Training Agreement (RTA) by the time they complete their eighth cooperative education credit. This will be contingent upon the skills of the student and the willingness of an employer to sign the student as an apprentice. The school board cannot guarantee that all students who are participating in the OYAP  FAST program will obtain a Registered Training Agreement through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Other Considerations:

Although it’s not required, it is recommended that a grade 12 math course is completed on top of the above listed components.
While the OYAP-FAST program does provide an alternative pathway for students to achieve an OSSD, there may be post-secondary limitations to the OYAP-FAST OSSD seal. Students should consider all their pathway options before committing to OYAP-FAST.

Students who meet the above completion requirements and all other OSSD requirements will be awarded the OYAP-FAST seal on their OSSD, and OYAP-FAST will be listed in the Specialized Program field of the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). If a student has already been granted an OSSD, it cannot be exchanged for an OSSD with the OYAP-FAST seal.

Pathway Considerations

Students who are in this program should be quite confident that they are pursuing the apprenticeship pathway for their post-secondary education. Students must start the process by completing the Intent to Register Application Form available from their Guidance Counsellor or Coop Teacher at their school. The school board cannot guarantee that all students who register with the OYAP-FAST program will be signed on as apprentices.

For more information about the apprenticeship pathway and the skilled trades, please visit the  Skilled Trades Ontario website.

 

Extended French

The aim of the Extended French Program is to further develop students’ French knowledge and skills. After completing seven extended French credits throughout their high school career, students will be granted an Extended French certificate at graduation.

The Grade 9 Extended French course provides opportunities for students to speak and interact in French in a variety of real-life and personally relevant contexts. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

The prerequisite for the Extended French course, FEF1DF, is a minimum of 1260 hours of instruction in French or equivalent. Those choosing this course will be required to take CGC1WF, grade 9 Geography, which is taught in French.

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