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Pauline Johnson Collegiate
and Vocational School
School Profile 2024-25

Courses – Grade 9 – 10 Course Pathways 

What Courses Do I Choose for Grade 9?

Grade 9 students will select De-streamed Math, Science and English as well as Academic French and Geography. Each student will choose optional credits based on offerings at their secondary school.

De-Streamed Courses (W) (Grade 9 only)

Single stream courses are courses that are taught to all learners at that grade level. It will use a variety of teaching and learning strategies to engage students.  It will be taught as a progression of skills and topics from previous courses that will lay a foundation for further courses in that subject area.

Academic Courses (D)

Academic Courses are suited to students who are comfortable with theoretical concepts and enjoy solving problems by applying what they have learned. 

Academic Courses

• Focus on the essential concepts of a subject and explore related concepts 
• Develop students’ knowledge and skills through the study of theory and abstract problems 
• Incorporate practical applications as appropriate 
• Present and evaluate curriculum at a measured/brisk pace according to students’ needs 
• Often lead to post-secondary education, including College, University, and Apprenticeship, or to Workplace. 

Special Education Courses (K) 

Special Education Courses allow students to focus on functional life skills and/or job readiness skills within schools that have a self-contained special education setting. Expectations are individualized for students who have a variety of strengths and needs. In some cases, these courses can be preparation for participation in Locally Developed Compulsory Courses. 

These courses:

• May lead to a Certificate of Accomplishment, support work/ living, and in some cases, an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC). 

Locally Developed Courses (L) 

Locally Developed Courses are designed for students who have specific learning needs and require more direction in the classroom. Students will learn essential and practical concepts of a subject. 

These courses:

• Are intended for students who require a measure of flexibility and support in order to meet the compulsory credit requirements in English, mathematics and science for the OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) or (OSSC). 
• May lead directly to the Workplace. 

Open Courses (O) 

Open Courses allow students to learn concepts and skills designed to prepare them for further study in the subject area. Generally, in Grade 9, optional courses are offered as open courses, for example music, art, drama, business studies, family studies, physical education and technological studies. Expectations are created for all students and these students can use their variety of learning skills to succeed. 

Applied Courses (P) (Grade 10 only)

Applied Courses teach students using practical examples and offer the chance to apply what they have learned to the work around them. 

These courses:

• Focus on the essential concepts of a subject 
• Develop students’ knowledge and skills through practical applications and concrete examples 
• Use familiar situations to illustrate ideas 
• Present and evaluate curriculum at a gradual pace according to students’ needs 
• May lead to post-secondary education, including College or Apprenticeship; or to Workplace
   

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