School Profile 2024-25
Programs
Co-Operative Education (Co-Op)
Co-op is a planned learning experience that integrates classroom theory and learning experiences at a workplace which enable students to apply and refine the knowledge and skills acquired in a related curriculum course or a locally developed course. Co-op courses include a classroom component comprised of pre-placement and integration activities and a placement component.
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Students earn co-op credits by integrating classroom theory with planned learning experiences in the community. Students are assessed and evaluated on their demonstration of tasks linked to curriculum expectations of the related course(s) as outlined in Students’ Cooperative Education Learning Plan.
Students interested in Co-op Education must apply for the program and complete an interview. Successful candidates will be notified, and the recruitment process of an appropriate placement will follow. There is no formal restriction on the total number of co-op credits that students may earn in secondary school.
OYAP
Students gain knowledge and experience in an apprentice able trade while working at an eligible work placement. Students acquire hours toward the completion of their apprenticeship while earning credits.
An apprenticeship is an agreement between the student (who wants to learn a skilled trade), the school, the employer (who teaches the skills) and the Students’ Cooperative Education Learning Plan.
Students will get a head start on becoming a fully qualified journey person with a skill set that is in demand. Apprenticeships are an excellent way of learning valuable work skills and are a viable alternative to traditional post secondary programs.
For more information speak to your school’s Co-op or OYAP teacher.
Visit www.apprenticesearch.com
To Begin an Apprenticeship During Secondary School a Student Must:
- Successfully complete 16 credits and be enrolled full-time in school
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement
- Complete all compulsory credits required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Specialized Programs
Canadian and World Studies
This department covers three topic areas here at WDHS: civics, geography and history. Within these three areas students have to opportunity to look further into our past, how our government is set up, and how different geographic locations offer unique opportunities to its visitors and its local populations. These courses are interest forming “stepping stones” to show students career areas, such as teaching, law, law enforcement, museum curators, conservation officers, geologists, military personnel, librarians, civil engineers, journalists, town planners, and many other fields.
English
For some students, studying English is just one more class that they ‘have’ to take. Here at WDHS our English classes are vibrant areas of discussion, debates, drama, and diving into modern fiction and non-fiction. These classes teach students different genres of literature, short stories, poetry, drama, and to develop skills in reading, writing and speaking.
We strive to ensure that our students have a variety of materials that represent a wide variety of interests, social groups, and cultural connections. We want all students to feel represented in the different texts that they study.
And finally, we offer students assistance with participating in various writing contests and have even had a few winners and one student publish their own novel.
Mathematics
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If you walk by a math class at WDHS, you’ll notice a few things. The first is the use of technology. All our math classes use SMART Boards and OneNote to engage students in interactive digital lessons. You’ll see students and teachers engaged in STEM activities like building and programming our VEX V5 robotics kits to accomplish various learning tasks. Students may be playing Kahoot or learning to design and manipulate Excel spreadsheets. They may be accessing Desmos online graphing tools along with other unique programs to help prepare students for the world of modern mathematics.
You’ll also often see students standing at the whiteboards working in small groups to solve math problems while honing their skills in communication and collaboration. This is in response to the successful teaching strategy of Thinking Classrooms.
Teachers present real-world connections to help students better understand big mathematical concepts and WDHS math students can show off their skills as they enter math contests against other students across the province.
Music
Our music department is a long- standing favourite here at WDHS. Students in music courses will learn a beginning band instrument. Each course will also include an introduction to guitar and drumming. Our music classes encourage students to participate in band or choir. Each year the band and choir head out to many different schools to demonstrate their skills and perform at annual Christmas and spring concerts.
Physical Education
Healthy active living is an important part of life at WDHS. We offer classes in all grade levels, and of different varieties.
This department wants to help students understand that being active is a key component to physical and mental well-being, and this is accomplished through the courses offered as well as our Specialist High Skills Major in Health & Wellness. We offer several focused courses, including Volleyball, Soccer and Hockey. In these courses, students can develop and strengthen their skills and knowledge of either volleyball, soccer or hockey. Our Grade 11 and 12 students also can take a Personal Fitness class, where they learn about their bodies, how they work, and how to create a balanced fitness program.
Sciences
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Once students have completed both of their Grades 9 and 10 science requirements, there are many different science courses that are open to them, at a variety of pathways. Students can choose to specialize in biology, chemistry, physics and environmental science. All these subjects allow students a mix of textbook and hands-on experiences.
These senior science classes also work alongside our two Specialist High Skills Majors in Construction, and Health and Wellness. You will frequently see our science classes buzzing around Waterford on bicycles as they visit the local habitats nearby.
Social Sciences
Students taking courses in the Humanities or Social Science areas, are exposed to a variety of different topics, designed to help them better understand how our society has developed to its current state. They can exercise and refine their critical thinking skills as they learn to question ideas of the past, and movements of the future. These classes. including philosophy and psychology, cover topics that discuss how our society once functioned, the challenges of our current world, how and why people think and act the way they do, and finally, how we can better prepare the citizens of the future.
Technology
Do you like hands on learning? Do you want to work in a shop? Here at WDHS we offer classes in:
- Hairstyling and Esthetics (cosmetology)
- Hospitality (foods)
- Transportation (auto)
- Manufacturing (welding)
- Green Industries (horticulture)
- Construction
- Tech Design (drafting & architecture)
We also offer students the chance to complete technology courses for their Specialist High Skills Major in either Construction, or Health & Wellness. Our senior technology courses also offer students the opportunity to complete a Dual Credit course, where they earn a credit from Fanshawe College, at the same time that they earn their secondary school tech credit.
Visual Arts and Media Design
Visual Arts offers many opportunities for artists and art enthusiasts. WDHS offers a variety of art classes that teach the basics of drawing and painting, to design, digital media, photography, and portfolio work.