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Senior Years (Grade 9 to 12)

Credit System: The credit system provides a framework enabling students to pursue programs best suited to their individual needs and aspirations. A student may earn one credit by successfully completing a course of study. Half credits may be earned in a similar manner. A minimum of 30 credits is needed to complete the senior level for students in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division.

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to be in their scheduled classes on time. With the exception of Grades 9 and 10 students who are fully timetabled, schools have an open campus for those students with unscheduled time. Students may choose to study/read in the library, to socialize in the cafeteria, or to leave the building. The granting of course credits on a per subject basis is conditional on meeting the school attendance requirements. School administration may grant excused absence status for student illness, religious holidays, family emergencies and other special circumstances arranged and confirmed before hand by the parent or guardian.

Course Selection: Course numbering is made up of a 3-character, alphanumeric code. The first and second characters are numbers, while the third is a letter.

First Character
1 - courses developed for Grade 9      2 - courses developed for Grade 10       3 - courses developed for Grade 11     4 - courses developed for Grade 12

Second Character
0 - developed or approved by the province for 1 credit
5 - developed or approved by the province for 1/2 credit
1 - developed by the school or division and approved or registered by the province
2 - developed elsewhere, such as university, out of province, and out-of-country

Third Character
Courses in each subject are identified as foundation, general, specialized, advanced, modified, individualized, or English as a Second Language.
F - Foundation: educational experiences, which are broadly based and appropriate for all students.
G - General: general education experiences for all students.
S - Specialized: learning experiences and skills leading to further studies at the post-secondary level.
A - Advanced: academically challenging courses, which go beyond curriculum expectations for general and specialized courses.
M - Modified: educational experiences intended for students with specific cognitive disabilities and where the provincial subject area curriculum outcomes have been modified by 50% or more to take into account the learning requirements of a student; Individual Education Plan (IEP) is required for each student.
I - Individualized: educational experiences intended for students with significant cognitive disabilities and that are developmentally and age appropriate and highly individualized to take into account the learning requirements of the student; an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is required for each student.
E - ESL: educational experiences designed to assist students for whom English is not a first language in making a transition into the English program.

The Senior School French Immersion Diploma is awarded to students who earn a minimum of 30 credits in Grades 9 to 12 including 14 credits earned in courses taken in the French language, and who complete all the other requirements for graduation. French Immersion students must complete the compulsory English Language Arts courses in Grades 9 to 12. In Grade 9, français, mathematiques, sciences humanes, and sciences de la nature are required subjects. In Grade 10, français, mathematiques, sciences de la nature and geographie are required subjects. In Grade 11, français, histoire and mathematiques are required. In Grade 12 required subjects include français, mathematiques, and one other course taken in French. 

Specific Programs: These programs are subject to sufficient student enrollment. There are several unique programs offered at the senior level. These programs are designed to meet the varied needs of a student population and to provide challenging learning opportunities for students of all abilities. Please read further for more information on these programs.

Advanced Placement: This program gives students the opportunity to take university level courses in Grade 12 while still at the senior level. Upon entering college or university, students may receive advance placement and/or university course credit for the AP subjects they complete. With the flexibility of the program, students may select a single subject or more depending on their areas of interest. Students first complete the Manitoba curriculum and go on to the challenge of an advanced curriculum.

Performing Arts Program: The Performing Arts Program offers students a full range of academic courses, as well as an enriched arts education for students with a demonstrated talent in music, drama, dance and visual arts. The students' days consist of academic classes and the arts. In this milieu, the arts become the focus of the program, which develops the creative potential of the artistically talented students. The goals of the program are to enrich and to accelerate aesthetic development, to stimulate creativity and critical thinking, and to create a lasting respect for learning within the climate of academic and artistic excellence.

Cooperative Education: This is a unique on-the-job learning experience offered to students. Job placements are found for each student accepted into the program and in each of Grade 11 and Grade 12, credits may be earned for time spent at the work site. Cooperative education allows the student the opportunity to explore a career path, which may lead directly to employment or apprenticeship upon graduation.

French Immersion: This challenging program is for students who have successfully completed at least two years in the French Immersion program, and who want to continue to improve their French language speaking, reading and writing skills. The ultimate goal of this program is functional bilingualism, and the minimum of 14 courses taken in French in Grades 10, 11 and 12 should ensure that students who complete the program successfully will be prepared to pursue the study of French in university, or to attend a French language or bilingual university, if that is their desire. All subjects in the Immersion program meet the same objectives as subjects taken in the English program, with the added benefit of intensive work in the French language.

Skilled Trades and Technology: Courses in these programs are structured to provide job-entry skills in a specialized area, general knowledge, or to help prepare for post-secondary schooling. Students may combine the heavy skilled trades and technology courses with general and specialized courses. Courses are available in the following areas at specific schools: Auto Body, Automotive Technology, Commercial Aviation Pilot Ground School, Hairstyling, Electrical Trades Technology, Woods technology, Culinary Arts, Graphic Arts, Industrial Welding, Media Productions, and Digital Media Design. Autobody Technology. Note: Auto Body is offered at St. James Collegiate. Hairstyling is offered at St. James Collegiate and Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate. All other courses are offered at Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate. HSAP (High School Apprenticeship Program) is offered in certain courses as well apprentice accredited hours.

Students with Special Needs: This program provides for students with special learning needs by emphasizing the development of practical academic skills based on individual programming in an integrated setting. Independent living skills and desirable work habits and attitudes are the focus of an extensive community-based work experience program.

Awards and Scholarships: A number of financial awards are available each year to Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 students. Students in all programs are encouraged to be aware of and to strive for these awards.

Questions from Parents:

How may I ensure the success of my son/daughter in his/her senior years program?
There must be ongoing communication among the student, parent, and school. Parents should help their children balance the time spent on school-related work, part time jobs, and any co-curricular activities.

Is my son/daughter able to drop a course without my knowledge?
No. You will be informed by phone or letter. However, once the student has reached the age of 18, he/she may drop a course without parental knowledge.

Can program/courses be changed at certain times during the Senior Years?
Yes, in consultation with the administration and/or school counsellor.

Is there financial assistance available to students while they are in school?
Financial assistance may be through City Welfare or Income Security for students aged 18 or older. Families/students must give evidence of financial need to the respective agencies.

What options exist for students who fail a course?
If the course is compulsory, the student will have to repeat it -- either at summer school or during a subsequent school year. An advantage of the semester system is students may be able to retake the course the next semester. If the course is not compulsory, students may take a different course.

How/when will I be informed of my son/daughter's attendance?
Attendance profiles are sent home on a monthly basis. As well, you are advised by phone, on a daily basis, if your son/daughter has an unexcused absence. Student attendance is included on the report cards issued in November, February, April and June. If parents are concerned, they are encouraged to contact the school. Poor attendance does affect you son/daughter's standing.
Note: Collegiates keep track of senior level student attendance on an individual subject period by period basis.

What courses are required in Grade 9?
All students must take English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, plus option courses to ensure they are fully timetabled. Please contact the high schools and request a copy of their course description booklets for a complete listing of compulsory and complementary courses.

Community Involvement Activity: Every student who begins senior years (Grade 9) in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division will be required to complete 40 hours of community involvement in order to receive a Division diploma. The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to develop an understanding of the various roles they can play in their community and to help them develop a greater sense of belonging within the community.