Student Street
Student Success
Student success in Simcoe County is dedicated to ensuring that each student, with their different interests, goals and strengths should be given the same opportunity to succeed in high school.
High schools are developing more ways to make certain that students have the opportunity to achieve their high school credits. Credit recovery activities, alternative education programs and extra school supports are evident within every high school. With the Ministry of Education, Simcoe has launched “innovative new programs that allow students to customize their high school experience around learning that is relevant to them.” These six ways include Specialist High Skills Majors, Dual Credit programs, expanded cooperative education and innovative Pathways programs. To learn more about these programs you can visit the Ministry website at: More Ways to Succeed.
Students are receiving additional supports through their school Student Success teachers and teams. Grade 8 students, entering grade 9 are enjoying expanded transition activities helping to make the move to high school seamless and positive.
For more information about Student Success please contact your home school or contact Stephen Blake, Superintendent of Education, Area 2.
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SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJORS
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a senior high school training program, which allows students to specialize in an area of their choosing. The SHSM has three parts: 1) a bundle of courses; 2) a series of relevant certifications and training sessions, and 3) a number of experiential learning activities. All of these parts relate to a single area of specialization, such as Construction or Arts & Culture. Different schools have different SHSMs and can even have different emphases within the same sector. For example, the Arts & Culture SHSM at Barrie North focuses on TV Broadcasting, whereas the Arts & Culture SHSM at Eastview has the Performing Arts as its main focus.
Depending on the nature of the SHSM and interestes of the student, he or she can have an academic emphasis to the program or focus on hands-on, practical skills. The SHSM addresses a wide variety of career options for students of various abilities and interestes. High school graduates with a SHSM will have industry-relevant knowledge, experience and qualifications when they go to apply to post-secondary institutions or for an apprenticeship or even for a job straight out of high school.
To find out more about the Specialist High Skills Major programs around the province, click here.
Click here to see details of programs in the Simcoe County District School Board.
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DUAL CREDITS
Dual credits give students the opportunity to sample post-secondary education, work in college labs, experience a new environment and build self-confidence. SCDSB has numerous dual credit opportunities for students. Click here to find out more.
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EXPANSION OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AND OTHER FORMS OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
There are many opportunities available now for students to get real life work experience. Click here to learn more about experiential learning at SCDSB.
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ONTARIO YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (OYAP)
If you are interested in starting an apprenticeship or working in a skilled trade, click here for more information on the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to begin training with an employer while they complete the requirements for their OSSD.
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