Welcome to High School!

Grade 8 to 9 Transition

In your grade 9 year, you will begin to earn the necessary 30 subject credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) which typically takes four years. Each subject equals one (1.0) credit (except for Civics and Careers, which are each worth 0.5 credit). 

Unlike in elementary school, you will not be promoted to the next grade subject unless you have earned the credit in the preceding (prerequisite) grade. Thus, in order to take grade 10 Math, you must first earn the grade 9 Math credit. And so on, in other subjects such as English, Science and French. Generally speaking, these subjects have foundational requirements, so that whatever you learn in the lower grades prepares you for success in attacking the material in the next higher grade. If you fail a subject you may repeat it in day school, summer school or night school. Consult your Guidance counsellor for additional detail.

Victoria Park CI is a semestered school. This means that you will study four subjects per semester, with a final culminating and examination period in January and June of each year. It is important to attend classes daily and punctually, to complete homework and review regularly, and to complete assignments in a timely fashion. Do not leave everything to the last minute! Ask your classroom teacher for help or clarification; he/she cannot help you if you don't ask.

Extra-curricular Activities

There are many opportunities to explore new interests and develop skills in previous interests, before school, after school and during lunch hours. Check out bulletin boards and wiki spaces for announcements of meeting times and places. There is a Fall Club Fair where you can peruse the many offerings. Some clubs or teams have a season, others run throughout the school year. Most clubs welcome new members throughout the year. Learn more about our co-curricular activities here.

You MUST maintain academic eligibility to participate on teams and in most clubs; this means maintaining good attendance AND passing 3 out of  4 subjects during the semester. For more detail see page 16-17 in your student agenda book.   

Camp Tamarack

Come join other Grade 9 students at a four-day three-night overnight camp experience in the Muskoka's. Make new friends at this annual event, organized by senior Victoria Park students. More information on Camp Tamarack can be found here.

Guidance and Student Services

Guidance counsellors provide assistance in accessing all kinds of support, not just giving advice on your academic subjects, applications to post-secondary opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and peer tutoring. They have empathetic and sympathetic ears, and may refer you to another school support person (e.g. a Child and Youth Worker (CYW), social worker or your vice-principal), a community service, etc. as needed. They can help to mediate a conversation with your parents, another teacher, classmates or friends. 

Special Education and Resource Centre

Room 173 houses the Special Education and Resource Centre. It is located on the extreme left of the main entrance of the school. If you have a SEA claim device (e.g. laptop, iPad, tablet, etc.) it is stored here for quick and easy access. Room 173 welcomes students needing a quiet space, or an alternative space to complete an assignment or test, as per their Individual Education Plan (IEP). You can also consult with the CYW, or the Assistant Curriculum Leaders (ACLs) of Special Education. Lunchtime Friends meet here daily.        

Prayer Room

Victoria Park provides space in room 210 for Muslim students wishing to pray during the school day. In order to access the prayer room, students must have parental permission.  Please complete the form and return to the main office. Once the permission form has been signed by a parent, the prayer room key may be signed out from the main office. Please note that only one gender at a time may use the room. No more than 4 students may use the room at any time.    

More on the types of courses offered in high school:

In most high schools, there are four types of courses offered in grades 9 and 10: Open, Academic, Applied and Locally Developed (also known as Essential);  and five types offered in Grades 11 and 12: Open, University, College, Mixed and Workplace (also known as Essential).

At Victoria Park, we also offer IB preparatory classes in Grades 9 and 10, and IB Diploma classes in grades 11 and 12.

Victoria Park CI teachers deliver curriculum as outlined in Ontario Ministry of Education documents.

Open Courses have one set of concepts and expectations for the subject. They do not require prerequisites in the upper grades.

Academic Courses cover core concepts of the subject. Course work exposes students to theories and practical applications. The greater emphasis is on theory and abstract applications as a basis for future learning, problem solving and critical thinking.

Applied Courses cover core concepts. Course work exposes students to theories and practical applications. The greater emphasis is on practical applications as a basis for future learning, problem solving and critical thinking. There is more opportunity for extensive hands-on applications of the concepts learned.

Locally Developed Courses are for students who may have had gaps in their learning, are missing basic skills and who are working 2-3 Grade levels below what is age appropriate.

IB Preparatory Courses cover core concepts in greater depth and breadth, as per the requirements of the IB Diploma courses in Grades 11 and 12.. As in the regular academic program, students are exposed to theories and  practical applications as a basis for future learning, problem solving and critical thinking. A much greater emphasis is placed on independent study and self-directed learning. Learn more about the IB program.

University Courses cover concepts that provide a foundation to subjects taught in Universities. They require prerequisite courses, usually at the Academic level in Grade 10, and at the University level in Grade 11.

College Courses cover concepts that provide a foundation to subjects taught in Colleges. They require prerequisite courses, usually at the Applied or Academic levels in Grade 10.

Mixed level Courses cover concepts that provide a foundation to subjects taught in both Universities and Colleges. They require prerequisite courses, at the Applied or Academic levels in Grade 10. and at the College or University levels in Grade 11.

Workplace Courses cover concepts that provide a foundation to successful functioning in the workplace and daily living.  

IB Diploma Courses cover concepts that provide a foundation to subjects taught in Universities, AND which also are described in the IB Diploma syllabus for that subject. Prerequisite courses must be taken in Grades 9 and 10. Learn more about the IB program.