The Curriculum (Incorporating Time/Subjects)
More effective use of time
The new junior secondary program is shaped by educational research which reorganizes class time into in-depth and focused learning.
There are three types of subjects:
- Core Subjects are classes that students will study throughout the year or semester. They include English, Mathematics, Health, Physical Education and Philosophy & Values Education.
- The Personal Learning Program is a three-year, sequential, skills-based teaching program targeting the development of individual abilities, essential knowledge and learning skills.
- Electives provide an enhanced range of 25 optional subjects, offering all junior secondary students the opportunity to pursue academic studies in areas of individual interest. A student may pursue study in a single elective for up to eighteen months. The emphases in the elective program are opportunity, choice and flexibility.
The Catalyst Program has organized learning into just six subjects in Year 7, and seven subjects in Years 8 and 9. Each subject has a minimum of 35 hours in-depth focus and instruction per term. Significant Year 7 subjects are given twice the time, resulting in 70 hours' teaching and learning. Fewer subjects and changes mean more productive use of time.