Focus Programs are packages of courses that concentrate on a particular field of interest or training to provide students with both (academic) curriculum-specific and workplace experience, which help build a foundation for a career sector. They enable students to come together to benefit from specialized equipment and teacher expertise.
These programs are designed to help high school students make well-informed career decisions and to assist with a smooth transition to either post-secondary education or the world of work. At the Grade 9 and 10 level, Focus Awareness Programs engage learners who may benefit from an experiential approach to learning. At the Grade 11 and 12 level, Focus Exploration Programs provide students the opportunity to concentrate on a targeted area of study.
SAWS (Students Achieving Workplace Skills) Focus Program
- Offered at Notre Dame High School
- Grade 9, Program Length: 1 Year, No Cost
- Prerequisites: None
This two semester package of courses will concentrate on all aspects of work as a general contractor, from student client meetings, research, design, cost analysis and fabrication of community based projects. A wide variety of construction disciplines will be utilized to complete these projects. The courses will be construction oriented and will include: measurement; technical reporting; research; analysis; sketching; and detailed drawing. In addition, community involvement is an integral part of this course through projects, presentations and community contacts. Students will have the opportunity to work with skilled professionals, thereby enhancing their career options. Students will spend the mornings in the regular courses and the afternoons in the Construction room for their Focus Program courses.
SAWS Focus Program full year credit package
Semester 1
- Credit 1: Exploring Technologies (TIJ1O)
- Credit 2: Religion (HRE1O)
- Credit 3: Compulsory of student’s choice
- Credit 4: Compulsory of student’s choice
Semester 2
- Credit 1: Construction (TCJ1O)
- Credit 2: Geography (CGC1P)
- Credit 3: Compulsory of student’s choice
- Credit 4: Compulsory of student’s choice
Caring for Others Focus Program
- Offered at Immaculata High School
- Grade 10, Program Length: 1 Year, No Cost
- Prerequisites: ENG1L, ENG1P or ENG1D
This Focus Program will center on the various careers that are dedicated to caring for others in our community. Students will explore employment opportunities at local daycares, schools, community health centres, non-profit organizations and nursing homes. Hands-on experiences will help Caring for Others students gain valuable skills and confidence allowing them to further consider this work in the future. Each semester, after their morning classes, students will gather to work collaboratively developing and implementing ongoing initiatives in the community. Students will also appreciate how we can be sent to be the Good News through our work with others, and making a connection between our faith and our life work.
Caring for Others Focus Program full year credit package
Semester 1
- Credit 1: Health Care (TPJ2O)
- Credit 2: English (ENG2L/2P/2D)
- Credit 3: Compulsory of student’s choice
- Credit 4: Compulsory of student’s choice
Semester 2
- Credit 1: Careers & Civics (CHV2O/GLC2O)
- Credit 2: Religion (HRE2O)
- Credit 3: Compulsory of student’s choice
- Credit 4: Compulsory of student’s choice
Transportation Focus Program
- Offered at Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School
- Grade 10, Program Length: 1 Year, No Cost
- Prerequisites: None
This program is comprised of a selection of transportation-related courses. During semester one, the Transportation Technologies course will focus on transportation-related curriculum and the math course will support projects and assignments from the technology course. During semester 2, the English course will include the development of literacy skills through transportation-related content and the Discovering the Workplace course will provide opportunities to investigate career opportunities in the transportation sector. The remainder of their courses will follow the regular grade 10 curriculum.
Transportation Focus Program full year credit package
Semester 1
- Credit 1: Transportation (TTJ2O)
- Credit 2: Math (MFM2P/MAT2L)
- Credit 3: Compulsory of student’s choice
- Credit 4: Compulsory of student’s choice
Semester 2
- Credit 1: English (ENG2P/2L)
- Credit 2: Discovering the Workplace (GLD2O)
- Credit 3: Compulsory of student’s choice
- Credit 4: Compulsory of student’s choice
Exploring our Stories, Finding our Voices and our Identities: Empowering students through deeper learning
- Offered at St. Francis Xavier High School
- Grade 10, Program Length: 1 year, No Cost
- Prerequisites: ENG1P, ENG1D
This Focus Program will allow students to investigate Canada’s past and current culture by exploring the diverse stories of its inhabitants. As students examine Canadian government and its political structures, they will look to define their role within society by exploring potential roles/careers available to them. This cross-curricular program, is offered in both French Immersion and English and will provide students with an opportunity to engage with curriculum expectations and explore social justice issues in Canada while making meaningful connections to the world around them and their own lives.
Exploring our Stories, Finding our Voices and our Identities: full year credit package
Semester 1
- Credit 1: English (ENG2P/2D)
- Credit 2: Canadian History (CHC2P/2D/2DI)
- Credit 3: Compulsory of student’s choice
- Credit 4: Compulsory of student’s choice
Semester 2
- Credit 1: Careers & Civics (GLC2O/CHV2O/GLC2OI/CHV2OI)
- Credit 2: Religion (HRE2O/2OI)
- Credit 3: Compulsory of student’s choice
- Credit 4: Compulsory of student’s choice
Studies in Education
- Offered via eLearning
- Grade 11 or 12, No Cost
- Prerequisites: Open
This Focus Program will provide Black and other racialized students with some of the foundations needed to start their career as an educator. Students will learn about the history of education in Ontario and how systemic racism has played a role in both the educator and student experience. Students will be challenged to think about how barriers can be removed from education and how we can improve equitable access for all.
Elements of the Program
- Open to Grade 11 and 12 Black and racialized students interested in exploring a career in education
- IDC4U8 – Studies in Education (course delivered via eLearning)
- Opportunity to meet and learn from experts in the education field
- Opportunity to complete certifications such as: SAFEtalk, Conflict Resolution, First Aid, Equity and Diversity (OCSB)