School Profile 2024-25
Specialized Programs
Indigenous Studies: A Focus for all Students
McKinnon Park Secondary School is dedicated to providing culturally responsive services and programs for Indigenous students that will improve the school experience and success of all Indigenous students. MPSS encourages the development of strong partnerships with Indigenous families, communities, and organizations. Many opportunities are available for students to take part in Indigenous Student Clubs and participate in leadership initiatives including the planning of school socials, Indigenous craft clubs, and more.
Indigenous Courses Offered
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McKinnon Park Secondary School offers a wide variety of Indigenous courses for all students. A few examples are:
- Cayuga Language, Levels 1 & 2
- Expressing Aboriginal Cultures
- First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples in Canada
- English: Contemporary Aboriginal Voices
- First Nations Beliefs, Values and Aspirations
Indigenous Post-Secondary Planning
The MPSS Indigenous student body actively participates in various post secondary programming from a variety of colleges and universities that have Indigenous focus events. The students are exposed to post-secondary classrooms and hands-on learning opportunities. They learn about various funding sources, such as:
- Off-Reserve Indigenous student supports
- Apprenticeships for Indigenous students
- Indspire scholarships and bursaries
- Grand River Post Secondary Education Office
- Grand River Employment and Training (GREAT)
- Niagara Peninsula Area Aboriginal Management Board
Library Learning Commons
The Library Learning Commons provides a safe, friendly environment, offering a balanced collection of print and digital resources to meet both curricular and personal interest needs. Through virtual and physical learning partnerships, we provide integrated learning opportunities which are global, connected, social, cross-curricular and interdisciplinary. In partnership with classroom teachers, the teacher-librarian teaches guided inquiry, whereby students learn to define problems, form questions, explore ideas, analyse, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate new understandings. We strive to challenge students to think critically about the information they find, to instill in them a passion for reading and learning, and to equip them with multiple literacy skills for success in life after secondary school.
The Library Learning Commons provides information, resources, and opportunities for skill development that support classroom learning at McKinnon Park. The teacher librarians and library technician are available to help students with their specific project needs and to provide assistance to students who need to access the electronic catalogue, databases, online encyclopedias, books, e-books, and/or magazines. The library staff also enhance student learning by assisting them with editing, brainstorming, and project development and assembly.
Finally, those students who enjoy recreational reading are encouraged to join the MPSS Book Club which offers lively and insightful conversation about literature from a variety of genres.
Special Academic Programming
MPSS Hockey Canada Skills Academy
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The Hockey Canada Skills Academy (HCSA) at MPSS offers students the opportunity to develop their hockey skills. The HCSA is designed to challenge and inspire all students who participate. It is a complete program that includes education, on-ice skills, off-ice strength and conditioning, mental training, and personal development. On-ice sessions include hockey fundamentals such as skating, puck handling, checking, and passing. When students are not on ice, they are exposed to sport specific fitness training, floorball, stick handling and shooting. Health promotion with a specific emphasis on sound food and nutrition habits will also be explored. With the HCSA, students will get a chance to train and develop their skills for playing our national sport in an academic setting.
Goals and Objectives
- Learn about perseverance and resiliency
- Focus on skill building
- Promote a healthy lifestyle
- Improve skating/hockey skill
For more information visit:
www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/hockey-programs/schools/hcsa
Co-operative Education
Co-operative Education at McKinnon Park allows students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work placement. Co-op credits are generally taken on a two or four credit basis by students who are typically in the Grade 11 and 12. This is an excellent opportunity for those students who want to learn by doing while being mentored by a skilled professional all while earning credits towards their diploma. MPSS enjoys the benefits of a strongly linked and integrated professional community that provides a wide array of employment opportunities for the students who are enrolled in the co-op program.
Dual Credit
Horticulture and Construction
McKinnon Park Secondary School has two dual credit opportunities: one in Grade 12 Horticulture and one In Grade 12 Construction. These classes are taught by college professors within a MPSS classroom environment. The college staff and the secondary teacher work together to support the program in a wide variety of ways. Students earn a college credit at the same time as earning their secondary school credit.