The Credit System
 
Explanation of Terms:
 
Compulsory Credit:
Compulsory courses must be taken. They are a requirement for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
 
Elective Credit:
Electives are optional courses which should be selected on the basis of career goals, interests of abilities ofeach student.
 
Pre-Requisite:
A course which must be successfully completed before entering another course.
 
Co-Requisite/Concurrent:
A course which should be studied at the same time as another course. The principal may waive this requirement.
 
Credit:
A credit is granted to students when they have successfully completed a course which has been scheduled for a minimum of 110 hours. (110 hours is equivalent to taking a course for approximately 75 minutes per day for one-half year.)
 
Courses of Study:
The courses offered in this school have been developed according to the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education. Course outlines are available and are on file in the main office. Parents and
students may examine any of these courses of study by contacting the Principal.
 
Ontario Student Transcript,
A common transcript system has been established throughout the province. This transcript uses a common course code, so that it will be possible to determine the course, grade, and level of difficulty regardless of school. A transcript may be requested by contacting the secretary of the Student Services Department. Normally a minimum of 48 hours is required to prepare a transcript.
 
Course Transfers During the School Year:
Students must take extreme care when selecting courses because there is no guarantee that once courses have been selected they can be changed. Priority for considering a change is as follows:

1. If a change is requested because a student failed a course;
2. If a change is requested because a student took a summer school course;
3. If a change is requested because a student changed his/her career plans which require specific courses.

Once the semester has started, all course changes are made at the discretion of the Principal. In Semester One, the deadline for timetable changes is mid-September. In Semester Two, the deadline is mid February.

 
Dropping A Course:
Courses may be deleted (dropped) only after the student has consulted a counsellor. After the deadline for course changes, Principal's approval is required.

All students must take three or more courses per semester.

 
Diploma Requirements and Related Procedures

In order to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), a student entering Grade 9 in the 1999-2000 school year or in subsequent years must earn a minimum of 30 credits, including 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional credits. Students must also complete 40 hours of community involvement activities and must pass the provincial secondary school literacy test.

 

The Requirements for the OSSD

In order to earn the OSSD, a student must:

  • eam.18 compulsory credits;
  • earn 12 optional credits;
  • complete 40 hours of community involvement activities;
  • successfully complete the provincial secondary school literacy test.
 


 

 

 


St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School - Toronto Catholic District School Board
Student Services - 66 Dufferin Park Avenue  Toronto, ON M6H 1J6
Phone: (416) 397-6295 

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