Excellence Awards

Excellence Awards at A.Y. Jackson S.S.

Graduating students can apply for an Excellence Award at A.Y. Jackson S.S. 

Each of the following area of study has its own criteria – the list below provides information about the requirements as per the 2024/2025 academic year (minor changes may be in effect for the 2025/2026 academic year):

Biology Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Maintain a minimum average of 90% in Grade 11 Biology AND Grade 12 Biology (must be taken at AY)
  2. Fulfill any THREE of the following requirements:
  • Participate in the National Biology Competition
  • Score in the top 80th percentile in the National Biology Competition
  • Participate in the Canadian Biology Olympiad Competition
  • Score in the top 70th percentile in the Canadian Biology Olympiad
  • Produce a Science Fair Experiment / Innovation nominated to run in the Toronto Science Fair
  • Participate in an outreach research-based project / program
  • Be an active member of the Biology Club by attending regular meetings and / or coordinating weekly club activities
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in Biotech SHSM (used only once for an application for Biology, Chemistry or Physics certificate)
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in STEM Club (used only once for an application for Biology, Chemistry or Physics certificate)
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in Botany Club
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in HOSA or received a placement for further competition

Business Excellence Award 

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Achieve an average of 90% or above, in at least three Business courses in grade 11 and 12 taken at AY Jackson. Only one grade 11 mark can be used. (See List of Business Courses)
  2. Students must fulfill any TWO of the following requirements:
  • Be an active executive member of Business Council/SHSM or DECA by attending regular meetings and coordinating/leading activities
  • Participate in at least two competitions or conferences put on by Business Council and/or DECA and/or The Finance Club (examples include: The Stock Market Challenge, DECA Regionals/Provincials, Future Business Leaders of America, The Financial Literacy Competition)
  • Achieve a Top 20 medal at the DECA Provincial Competition
  • Compete at the DECA International Competition (ICDC) in the USA
  • Win other Business awards in Junior Achievement or other Business conferences

Chemistry Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Maintain a minimum average of 90% in Grade 11 Chemistry AND Grade 12 Chemistry. (must be taken at AY)
  2.  Fulfill any THREE of the following requirements:
  • Participate in Avogadro's Contest
  • Score in the top 80th percentile in Avogadro's Contest
  • Participate in Chemistry 13 Contest
  • Score in the top 80th percentile in Chemistry 13 Contest
  • Participate in the Canadian Chemistry Contest / Olympiad
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in Chemistry Club
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in Biotech SHSM (used only once for an application for Biology, Chemistry or Physics certificate)
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in STEM Club (used only once for an application for Biology, Chemistry or Physics certificate)

Communications Technology Excellence Award

Students must fulfill ALL of the following criteria:

  1. Successfully complete TGJ2O1 with a mark at or above 85%.
  2. Successfully complete TGV3M or TGI3M with a mark at or above 90%.
  3. Successfully complete TGV4M or TGI4M with a mark at or above 90%.
  4. Be an active member of AY TV or Paw Print Productions or Creature Creators.
  5. Participate in the Tech Day and Curriculum Night activities.


Computer Engineering Excellence Award

Students must fulfill ALL of the following criteria:

  1. Successfully complete TEJ3M and achieve a minimum of 90%
  2. Successfully complete TEJ4M and achieve a minimum of 90%
  3. Be an active leader/executive of the Robotics Club or Computer Engineering Club
  • Attend meetings regularly
  • Lead and oversee the running of the club
  • Participate in the Tech Day and Curriculum Nights
  • Help to run and plan training session for junior members


Computer Science Excellence Award

Students must fulfill ALL of the following criteria:

  1. Successfully complete ICD2O
  2. Successfully complete ICS3U and achieve a minimum of 90%  
  3. Successfully complete ICS4U and achieve a minimum of 90%  
  4. Participate in the University of Waterloo Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) in grade 11 
  5. Participate in the CCC senior level in grade 12 and achieve the Certificate of Distinction
  6. Be an active leader / executive of the coding club
    • Attend meetings regularly
    • Lead and oversee the running of the club 
    • Help to run and plan training session for junior members or tutor students in CS courses
    • Participate in the Tech Day and Curriculum Nights, where applicable


English Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. A mark of at least 85% in ENG3U/NBE3U and ENG4U taken at A. Y. Jackson
  2. A mark of at least 90% in EWC4U at A. Y. Jackson; 
  3. At least 1 year of participation in AYJ's Book Club, Writer's Club or the Jackson Times.


International Studies Excellence Award/Certificate

Students must fulfill ALL of the following criteria:

  1. Course Work  
  • 3 Grade 11 or Grade 12 History, Geography or Social Science courses
  • 3 Language courses - French, Spanish, Japanese or Latin (Grade 10, 11 & 12)
  • All courses must be completed at A.Y. Jackson S.S. 
  1. Commitment to School Life
  • Students must actively contribute to and participate in an A.Y. Jackson Club or Council for two or more years. The club should be focussed on the community. Examples include: Amnesty International, Debate Society, Equity, Green Council, Jackson Français, Student Council
  1. Volunteer Work
  • Students must demonstrate active participation in the larger community.  They need 50 hours of volunteer work.  The majority of this volunteer work should be done outside of A.Y. Jackson S.S.
  1. Leadership Experience
  • Students must demonstrate their leadership abilities. This can be done at A.Y. Jackson or outside of school. Students can be executive members of a club or council, go on an exchange, organize activities in the community or any other activity that shows leadership and collaboration.

Math Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Successfully complete at least 1 of the following 4 enriched or AP Courses offered by the Mathematics department: MPM2DP, MCR3UP, MHF4U0, MCV4U0 with an average of at least 90%
  2. Successfully complete the following grade 12 math courses at AYJ: MDM4U, MHF4U and MCV4U (midterm mark is acceptable if the course is ongoing), and the grade 11 math course, MCR3U, with an average of 90%+ for each of the four courses.  
  3. Achieve a placement of Top 25% in Canada in at least 1 of the Mathematics Contests at any level (in grade 10, 11 or 12)
  4.  Be an active member of the Math Club participating to meetings on a regular basis for at least one school year


Music Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Achieve a minimum of 95% in their grade 12 Music course
  2.  Students must fulfill TWO of the following requirements:
  • Achievement of Distinction in the Music Awards
  • Hold an executive position on the Music Council
  • Direct a teacher approved ensemble that rehearses on a weekly basis
  • Successfully direct sectionals for a teacher led ensemble on a bi-weekly basis for a full year
  • Perform a major solo in a teacher-led ensemble or class

Performing Arts Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. High academic achievement in a senior level (11/12) dance or drama course
  2. Students must fulfill at least ONE of the following requirements during their grade 11 and 12 years: 
  • Hold an executive or leadership position in any dance club, dance team, or drama club for at least one year 
  • Must have participated in at least two performances at school, beyond the classroom (i.e. Arts night, school assemblies, TDSB CREATES, etc..)
  • Demonstrated leadership and creativity in dance or drama classes/extra-curriculars, and contributed to a positive culture within the program (i.e. choreography, directing, etc.)


Physics Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Maintain a minimum average of 90% in Grade 11 Physics AND Grade 12 Physics. (must be taken at AY)
  2.  Fulfill any THREE of the following requirements:
  • Complete SPH3U0 with a minimum of 90%
  • Complete SPH4U0/1 with a minimum of 90%
  • Participate in three of the following Physics competitions and earn a minimum  mark of 80% in at least one of the competitions.
    • Ontario Association of Physics Teachers (OAPT)
    • Sir Isaac Newton (SIN)
    • American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
    • Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP)
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in Physics Club
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in STEM Club (used only once for an application for Biology, Chemistry or Physics certificate)
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in Biotech SHSM (used only once for an application for Biology, Chemistry or Physics certificate)

Technological Design Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Maintain a minimum average of 90% in Grade 11 Physics AND Grade 12 Physics. (must be taken at AY)
  2.  Fulfill any THREE of the following requirements:
  • Complete SPH3U0 with a minimum of 90%
  • Complete SPH4U0/1 with a minimum of 90%
  • Participate in three of the following Physics competitions and earn a minimum  mark of 80% in at least one of the competitions.
    • Ontario Association of Physics Teachers (OAPT)
    • Sir Isaac Newton (SIN)
    • American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
    • Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP)
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in Physics Club
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in STEM Club (used only once for an application for Biology, Chemistry or Physics certificate)
  • Take on an executive / leadership role in Biotech SHSM (used only once for an application for Biology, Chemistry or Physics certificate)

Visual Arts Excellence Award

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Maintain an average mark of 90% and above in two grade 12 and two grade 11 visual arts courses
  2. Students must fulfill ONE of the following requirements:
  • Hold an executive position in any visual arts council/club for at least one year
  • Be recognized and participate in out of school visual arts event/exhibition
  • Had work reproduced and featured in the Pillar Gallery and/or the A.Y Jackson Art Show

Graduating students who fulfill the necessary criteria can apply for an Excellence Certificate in their last year. This certificate is a formal recognition of a student’s outstanding achievement and involvement at A.Y. Jackson S.S., as well as acknowledgement for being an active participant in our school community. Students in their final year of high school are awarded their Excellence Certificate(s) at a special ceremony at the end of the school year. A student may achieve an Excellence Certificate in more than one area of study.

To earn an Excellence Certificate in an area of study, the student must meet the following TWO conditions, in addition to the requirements set out by the above subject areas:

  • All courses pertaining to the Excellence Certificate must be completed at A.Y. Jackson.
  • A student needs to fulfill the enrichment criteria in only one of the areas of study stated above. 

 A student may achieve an Excellence Certificate in more than one area of study.