Toronto District School Board
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Course Types

As a high school student, you will have important choices to make that will open doors to your future, including the selection of your courses throughout high school.

Destreamed (Grade 9)

  • Designed to provide a learning experience for all students
  • Emphasize connections among concepts, real-life applications and students’ lived experiences.
  • Example: English ENL1W

Academic (Grades 9 and 10)

  • Cover the core content and have an emphasis on theoretical and conceptual learning
  • Example: History - CHC2D

Open (Grades 9-12)

  • Learning expectations are the same for all students
  • Designed to prepare students for further study and to enrich general education in a subject
  • Can be counted as compulsory or elective credits
  • Example: Health and Physical Education - PPL1O

Alternative (No Credit, Grades 9-12)

  • ‘K’ courses focus on specific skill development which may be taken in preparation for credit courses or in place of
  • Designed to meet students' education needs not met by existing credit courses

College Preparation Courses (Grades 11 and 12), C in the 5th position

  • Provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to meet entrance requirements for most college programs
  • Emphasis is on concrete applications of the theoretical material covered in the course and development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Focus on the development of independent research skills and independent learning skills
  • Example: Foundations for College Math - MBF3C

University Preparation Courses (Grades 11 and 12), U in the 5th position

  • Provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to meet entrance requirements for university study
  • Emphasis on theoretical aspects of the course content, with supporting applications
  • Courses will focus on the development of both independent research skills and independent learning skills
  • Example: Challenge and Change in Society - HSB4U

University/College Preparation Courses (Grades 11 and 12), M in the 5th position

  • Include content that is relevant for both university and college programs
  • Provide students with knowledge and skills needed to meet entrance requirements for specific university and college programs
  • Emphasis on both theoretical aspects and related concrete applications of the course content
  • Example: Financial Accounting Fundamentals - BAF3M

Workplace Preparation Courses (Grades 11 and 12), E in the 5th position

  • Prepare students to move directly into the workplace or to be admitted to apprenticeship or other training programs in the community
  • Emphasis on practical workplace skills
  • Example: Environmental Science - SVN3E

Dual Credit Programs

  • Designed to help students finish Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and move on successfully to college and apprenticeship programs
  • Focus is on students facing challenges in graduating 
  • A maximum of four optional credits may count toward the OSSD for approved college courses or Level 1 Apprenticeship college-delivered Dual Credit programs

Credit Recovery Courses

  • Designed for a group of students through referral from the Student Success Team
  • Provide opportunity to get a credit without repeating the entire course
  • Provide support to students by way of intervention to support successful completion of the credit. See Guidance Counsellor for details.