University Preparation Courses: are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for university programs. Teaching and learning will emphasize theoretical aspects of the course content but will also include practical applications. These courses will emphasize the development of both independent research skills and independent learning skills. The most direct route to University Preparation courses is the grade 9 and 10 academic courses. Provision, however, is made for students who change directions during secondary school and who do not have the appropriate prerequisite courses. Such students should enroll in Crossover courses in order to change direction between grades 9, 10, or in mandatory transfer courses in order to change direction between grades 10 and 11 or grades 11 and 12.

University/College Preparation Courses: are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for specific university and college programs. Teaching and learning will emphasize both theoretical aspects and related concrete applications of the course content. These courses will emphasize the development of both independent research skills and independent learning skills. Both academic and applied grade 10 courses serve as prerequisites for University/College Preparation courses. The one exception to this is that the prerequisite for grade 11 functions, MCF3M, is grade 10 academic mathematics only.

College Preparation Courses: are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for college programs. Teaching and learning will emphasize concrete applications of the theoretical material covered in the course and will also emphasize the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. These courses will emphasize the development of both independent research skills and independent learning skills. The most direct route of College Preparation courses is the grade 9 and 10 applied courses. One exception is the grade 10 Academic Math and grade 11 Functions, University/College Preparation which are prerequisites for grade 12 Math for College Technology; this course is needed by students intending to apply to college Technology programs. Provision, however, is made for students who change directions during secondary school and who do no have the appropriate prerequisite courses. Such students should enroll in Crossover Courses in order to change direction between grades 9 and 10 or in mandatory Transfer Courses in order to change direction between grades 10 and 11 or grades 11 and 12.

Workplace Preparation Courses: are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need for direct entry into the workplace for admission to apprenticeship programs and other training programs offered in the community. Teaching and learning will emphasize workplace applications of the course content, but will also explore the theoretical material and underlies these practical applications. These courses will emphasize the development of generic employment skills, as well as independent research and learning skills. Both academic and applied types of courses in grades 9 and 10 serve as prerequisites for workplace preparation courses. Students who have completed grade 10 locally developed courses may also enroll in these courses in grades 11 and 12.

Open Courses: are appropriate for all students regardless of post secondary destination. They are designed to provide students with a broad educational base and to equip them for active and rewarding participation in society. Students will broaden their knowledge and skills in a particular subject that reflects their interests but may not necessarily relate to their post secondary goals.

Prerequisite Courses: in many cases students will be required to successfully complete a specific course in order to be allowed to enroll in a subsequent course. These prerequisites are listed in the information provided with each course description. Before selecting a course, students and parents should consider such requirements so that students are not placed in courses which are inappropriate for them. In some cases, Transfer Courses done over the summer may provide an opportunity to fulfill a prerequisite that the student has not obtained in the previous school year.