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Academic Guidelines

Program Outline

Grade 10 Program

A complete high school program requires courses from the core areas plus option courses from Second Languages, Fine and Performing Arts, Career & Technology Studies or Personal Development. Students should choose option courses that complement their abilities and interests, as well as their educational and career goals. Students are expected to take a minimum of eight full courses with a value of not less than 40 credits.These courses must include:

  • Grade 10 English or English 10-4 
  • Social Studies 10-1 or Social Studies 10-2 or Social Studies 10-4 
  • Mathematics 10C or Mathematics 10-3 or Mathematics 10-4
  • Science 10 or Science 14 or Science 10-4 
  • Physical Education 10
  • Full semester option (or two 3 credit courses)
  • Full semester option (or two 3 credit courses) 
  • Full semester option (or two 3 credit courses)

Grade 11 Program

Students are expected to register for at least 38 credits. Grade 11 students are encouraged to review admission requirements for various post-secondary institutions and plan their program accordingly. Students who have a credit deficiency may not be eligible for a sparein their program

Note: Many post-secondary schools use grade 11 marks for scholarship purposes.

Grade 12 program

Students are expected to register for at least 35 credits. The primary responsibility for Grade 12 students is to ensure they are eligible to complete their program of studies. For those students planning to continue their education an additional responsibility is to make sure they will meet the entrance requirements for the institution and program of their choice.

According to Calgary Board of Education policy, students have a maximum of six semesters to complete their high school program.It is suggested that students spend at least 1.5 hours per night on homework, study and review in order to be successful.

Course Load Expectations

As a respected educational institution, our goal is for every student to graduate with a high school diploma or certificate. To facilitate this goal our expectation for student course selection is that:

  • Grade 10 students have 8 classes/40 credits.
  • Grade 11 students have a minimum of 7.5 classes/38 credits.
  • Grade 12 students have a minimum of 6 classes/30 credits.

Should a student not achieve the minimum credit standard, they should apply for summer school and may have an increased course load in Grade 11 and 12. A school counsellor will assist with this process.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he/she qualifies for a high school diploma or certificate within three years. Our student services team is available to support the planning and registration process.

Alberta High School Diploma Requirements

The requirements indicated below are the minimum requirements for a student to attain an Alberta High School Diploma.

Earn a minimum of 100 credits and completion of the following courses:

Credits In
  • English 30-1 or 30-2
  • Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2
  • Mathematics 20-1 or 20-2 or 20-3
  • Science 20 or 24 or Biology 20 or Chemistry 20 or Physics 20
  • Physical Education (3 credits)
  • Career and Life Management (CALM) 20 (3 credits)
  • 10 credits in any combination from Career and Technology Studies (CTS) OR Fine Arts OR Second Languages OR Physical Education 20 and/or 30
  • 10 credits in any Grade 12 level course in addition to English 30-1 or 30-2 and Socials Studies 30-1 or 30-2

Certificate of High School Achievement Requirements

Students will be eligible to receive a Certificate of High School Achievement upon completion of the following requirements: Earn a minimum of 80 credits including the following:

Credits in

  • English Language Arts 20-2 or 30-4
  • Mathematics 10-3 or 20-4
  • Science 14 or 20-4
  • Social Studies 10-2 or 20-4
  • Physical Education 3 credits)
  • Career and Life Management (CALM) (3 credits)

5 Credits in

  • 30-level Knowledge and Employability Occupational course
    or
  • 30-level Career and Technology Studies (CTS)
    or
  • 30-level locally developed course with an occupational focus and

5 Credits in

  • 30-level Knowledge and Employability Workplace practicum course
    or
  • 30-level Work Experience course
    or
  • 30-level Green Certificate course

or 5 credits in

  • 35-level Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) course


Knowledge and Employability Certificate High School Achievement Requirements

Students will be eligible to receive a Certificate of High School Achievement upon earning a minimum of 80 credits and completing the following requirements:

Credits in
  • English 20-2 or 30-4
  • Social Studies 10-2 or 20-4
  • Mathematics 10-3 or 20-4
  • Science 14 or 20-4
  • Physical Education (3 credits)
  • Career and Life Management (CALM) (3 credits)
  • 30 level Knowledge and Employability Occupational course
    Or
  • 30 level Career and Technology Studies (CTS)
    Or
  • 30 level Locally Developed course with an occupational focus
    AND
  • 30 level Knowledge and Employability Workplace Practicum course
    Or
  • 30 level Work Experience course
    Or
  • 30 level Green Certificate course
    OR
    5 credits in
  • 35 level Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) course

Homework and Studying

Students know that homework is an important factor in educational success. Homework should include a review of their notes and textbook materials on a regular basis.

Homework Recommendations

  1. Grade 10 students devote a minimum of one and one-half hours a day to homework.
  2. Grade 11 and 12 students study at least two hours a day.

Flex Time

Flex time is provided daily, Monday through Thursday, for students to meet with any teacher for individual or small group learning support. Each Flex block is 30 minutes long. Mandatory attendance may be required at the request of teachers or administrators.

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