The information contained in this publication is as accurate as possible at the time of printing. It is important that you familiarize yourself with its contents. Students and parents are encouraged to work together to develop a three year educational plan that respects graduation requirements.

To assist you in course selection:

• Use myBlueprint for career exploration tool
• Explore post-secondary requirements
• Visit the Citadel High Virtual Guidance Office: https://sites.google.com/gnspes.ca/citadelguidance/home
• Consult with your School Counsellor

Semestering

In a semestered school, the year is divided into two equal semesters. Semester 1 runs from September to January; Semester 2 February to the end of June. During both semesters, a student may take up to four courses. Both semesters ends with a final examination period.

In a semestered school, a student has each course every day. Every effort will be made to balance the load of subjects between semesters. Consult with your Counsellor if you have any timetabling concerns.

Exceptions: Courses that are not semestered are indicated in the course descriptions section of this booklet.

Grade 12 students apply to post secondary institutions at the end of the first semester. Please note that some Grade 11 marks are used by universities in conjunction with the Grade 12 marks to determine an admission average and award scholarships.

Please note: Only one of two courses at the same grade level in the same subject will be credited for graduation purposes. ( e.g. Mathematics at Work 10 or Mathematics 10)

Types of credits

Academic

Academic courses are designed for students who plan to attend college, university, or other postsecondary institutions.

Advanced

Advanced courses are designed to meet the needs of students who have demonstrated an exceptional degree of academic ability or achievement. Biology 11 Advanced requires a separate request form.

Graduation

Graduation courses are designed for students who plan to proceed directly to employment or selected areas of post-secondary study.

Open

Although open courses are not designed to meet the specific entrance requirements of post-secondary institutions, some institutions may recognize these courses. Please check with your Counsellor.

Course load requirements

Students are eligible to register for a total of 24 courses over a three year period. The following are the minimum course load requirements.

• Grade 10 students must register for 8 credits per year, 4 in each semester.
• Grade 11 students must register for 7 credits per year (3 in one semester, 4 in the other).
• Grade 12 students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credits per year, 3 each semester.
• Returning graduates will be accepted. Course selection will be accommodated on course availability in September.
• All course selections should be approved by a parent or guardian. Selections are tentative pending receipt of final marks.

Course selection

• All courses offered are conditional upon adequate enrollment. It may also be necessary to limit the number of students in a course because of space, safety, and other factors.
• Course changes in September or throughout the year will be based on academic need and assessed on an individual basis only in exceptional circumstances. Course selections in the spring for September should be considered final. All students are expected to follow their second semester timetables for courses assigned in September. Repeating failed courses in second semester should not be expected.
• It is the responsibility of the student to change his or her course level, if required, due to failure of a subject at the end of the year. This should be done in June after picking up final marks and before leaving school.
• Students and parents are encouraged to use the services of School Counsellors, Department Heads, Subject Teachers, or Administration for information on course selection, career and educational opportunities, study skills, and other areas of concern. Refer to the Nova Scotia Graduation Requirements section.
• Investigate the entrance requirements of your chosen post-secondary institution: Community College, University, etc., so that you register for the required subjects. Please note that graduation from high school does not necessarily qualify a student to enter university or other institutions that offer professional training. Specified prerequisites, both in courses and in standards (marks) in those courses may be required.
• The course selection process will take place with the Guidance Counsellor team at the end of first semester and the beginning of second semester in English 10 and 11 classes.

Assessment and evaluation policy

Teachers will achieve balanced assessment of student learning by using a variety of assessment strategies. In the first week of the course, each student will receive a written outline of the assessment and evaluation plan, including components and values. The teacher will inform the students of any changes to the plan. No single assessment event will be valued at more than 30% of the final mark (with the exception of IB). Several subjects have Provincial Exams, these may not be exempted.

Independent study

An independent study course expands the curriculum of a Public School Program course a student is taking or has already taken. Opportunities exist for students to be granted one independent study credit in grade 11 and one in grade 12. See your school Counsellor for further information.

Return of school materials

All students are expected to care for the texts and other materials provided for their use, and to return those materials in good condition at the conclusion of the program.

Attendance

Student success is directly linked to attendance. Students are expected to attend all classes regularly. Please check https://www.ednet.ns.ca/student-attendance-and-engagement-policy for attendance policy.

The learning and resource centres

These centres provide support services for students who have been identified as requiring additional planning and support to meet their unique needs.

Curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of diverse learners. Teaching strategies, classroom organization, curricular content and assessment and evaluation techniques will be adapted to assist diverse learners in meeting provincial outcomes. When students with adaptations are not able to meet provincial outcomes an Individual Program Plan (IPP) will be developed.

Parents/guardians will be involved in decisions regarding program adaptations and IPP’s.