In the secondary program a school year is divided into two semesters (September-January/ February-June), with a student participating in four courses (credits) each semester. 

High school students in need of English language support can select one of the six designated ESL secondary schools. ESL instruction is offered at five levels throughout the school year as credit courses and these help students strengthen their language proficiency. International students who earn 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional credits, pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, and complete 40 hours of community involvement are eligible to graduate and receive the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

FULL YEAR CREDIT EARNING (OSSD)

This program is for both Elementary students (Kindergarten – Grade 8) and Secondary School students (Grades 9 – 12) who wish to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). We use Vital English to determine a preliminary level of English fluency and Vital Math to inform our course selections. We offer ESL classes (levels A-E), as well as ESL adapted courses.

GAP YEAR CERTIFICATES

This program is intended for students who have completed their secondary school studies in their own country, and are looking to study abroad for one year, prior to attending post-secondary. Their post-secondary choice can be in Canada, the USA or in their own country. Studying abroad affords students the opportunity to acclimate to a new culture/country, and experience living in a different country. In addition, these gap year certificates allow students to further develop their English language fluency as well as other academic skills required for success in their post-secondary program of choice. The certificate they will pursue will align with their post-secondary goals. To that end, we offer 3 distinct certificates:

• ESL/STEM Certificate: courses include gr 12 English/ESL; Advanced Functions; Calculus; Physics; Chemistry; Biology and an elective of their choosing, such as Computer Science.
• ESL/Business Certificate: courses include gr 12 English/ESL; Advanced Functions; Calculus; choices between Data Management, International Business, Economics, Business Leadership, Accounting, Sports Marketing, World Issues and other grade 12 level courses in Business and/or Canadian and World Studies.
• ESL/Humanities Certificate: English/ESL; choices between Writer’s Craft, Horror Fiction, World Issues, Families in Canadian Society, Interdisciplinary Studies, World History, Law, Ancient Civilizations, and other Canadian & World Studies Courses.

Students work towards acquiring a minimum of 6 credits in the courses for each certificate.

CUSTOMIZED SHORT-TERM STAYS

The purpose of short-term programs is to develop language skills and foster cultural awareness. Students take part in the daily life of a school, with a particular focus on language immersion. The minimum requirement for short-terms stays is 2 weeks, with a maximum stay of 6 weeks. This program is not credit-bearing.