More Ways to Succeed
See your Guidance Counsellor for more information about the following exciting program opportunities
Cooperative Education (Co-op)
Cooperative education (Co-op) courses can be 1 to 4 credits in duration and are linked to related curriculum courses in any subject. Participating students have the opportunity to "test drive" potential career choices and gain valuable work experience. Each student has a personalized placement learning plan (PPLP) which provides an individualized framework for this learning opportunity. While students spend most of their time at the work placement, they do complete an in-school pre-placement session and participate in integration days throughout the semester. Up to 2 Co-op credits can be counted towards compulsory graduation requirements. There is no limit on the number of Co-op credits that may be counted as optional credits. Placements can be in any subject area. Students must complete a related curriculum course in order to participate in Cooperative Education.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
An Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) student is a student who is earning cooperative education credits for work experience in an apprenticeship occupation. The student mayor may not be formally registered as an apprentice while attending secondary school. To participate in OYAP students must: be a minimum of 16 years old; have completed 16 credits towards the OSSD prior to starting the program; be enrolled as a fulltime student during the program; be working towards the completion of all OSSD requirements. Refer to the Apprenticeship in Ontario chart found in the Guidance Centre for the complete list of apprenticeship programs.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
A SHSM is a ministry-approved specialized senior level (Grade 11/12) program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. It also assists in their transition after graduation to Apprenticeship, College, University or the Workplace.
A SHSM program consists of the following:
- 4 major credits
- 2 Co-operative Education credits
- 2-4 other required credits containing contextualized units of study
- Sector recognized Certifications or training
- Reach ahead activities
- Experiential learning opportunities
- Use of the Ontario Skills Passport
Successful students will receive a SHSM graduation diploma and a record card documenting their achievement.
Dual Credits
Dual credit programs are ministry-approved programs that allow students, while they are still in secondary school, to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or degree, or an apprenticeship certification. Students may earn credits towards the OSSD through courses delivered entirely or partially by publicly funded colleges in Ontario that are participating in a ministry-approved dual credit program. Students may earn up to four optional credits through college delivered courses.