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HIGH SKILLS MAJOR DIPLOMA  

         

 

   In the 2007-2008 school year, St.Paul SS was approved by the Ministry of Education,  to offer two Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs in Construction for a Changing Environment and Communications and Broadcasting.  St. Paul is one of only seven secondary schools in the DPCDSB that are offering SHSM’s to students. In 2008-2009, following upon that success, St. Paul applied for and was granted permission to offer another SHSM in The Environment. All of these lighthouse programs are open to students from any elementary school in the Dufferin Peel CDSB and we would encourage parents to investigate the advantages of the various certifications that these programs offer, in addition to the fact that students earn a red seal diploma. Students who wish to transfer to St. Paul’s may do so for program reasons such as an SHSM and we would encourage you to contact Mr. Schmidt if you have interest in pursuing this very unique program offering.

 

Students in the SHSM’s are currently preparing themselves for the transformation of our provincial economy to an energy efficient economy that is innovative in every aspect. Lowering  our schools  carbon footprint is a guiding priority for our SHSM’s. St. Paul’s earned a green school designation from the EcoSource organization after our commitment to a waste audit at the beginning and end of this year. Among our accomplishments to date include constructing a high value composter to reduce our waste output, posting  St. Paul TV announcements for parents to watch on YouTube,  and certifying our students in Final Cut Pro prior to entering post secondary education. Our aim is to meld these accomplishments with the various certifications that will be offered in our Environmental SHSM. The challenges of climate change and oil depletion are opportunities for St. Paul students to make the world a better place while learning real world skills for the future. Grounded in the gospels with a belief in educating students for the next century rather than the last, we invite you to attend our Open House on December 10th or call us at any time.

WHAT IS A SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJOR (SHSM)?

1.         A bundle of  8–10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits that includes:

i:          4 major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills

ii:         2–4 other required credits from the Ontario curriculum, in which some     expectations are met through learning activities contextualized to the sector

iii:        2 cooperative education credits that provide authentic learning experiences in a workplace setting, enabling students to refine, extend, and practise sector-specific knowledge and skills

2.         sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses

3.         experiential learning activities within the sector

4.         “reach ahead” experiences connected with the student’s chosen postsecondary  pathway

5.         development of key Essential Skills and work habits required in the sector, and the use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) for purposes of documentation.

The Specialist High Skills major diploma is accessible to students in the academic, applied, and workplace  streams at St. Paul. Students will continue to be required to earn their 30 credits to graduate, and all of the current compulsory credits must be taken. Because there is limited enrolment in these diploma programs, students will be expected to meet with Mr. Grenier, Ms. McHenry and Mr. Sacco in advance of the registration process, and program suitability to the students learning style and previous academic performance will be the overriding criteria for entrance into either diploma program.

HOW DOES AN SHSM BENEFIT ST. PAUL STUDENTS?

  • It allows students to experience a range of customized learning opportunities in an area that interests them, and helps to engage them in their school program.
  • It gives students the opportunity to explore, identify and refine career goals and make informed decisions related to postsecondary education or training and next  steps towards a career.
  • It helps students gain confidence in their ability to succeed, and see the connections between their studies, the world beyond high school, and their future careers.
  • The experiential learning opportunities, provided in an SHSM enable students to develop Essential Skills and work habits, that are required in the sector, and have their performance of those skills and work habits assessed and documented, using tools connected with the Ontario Skills passport.
  • Through an SHSM students begin to establish relationships and networks in their chosen fields.
  • Graduates can provide evidence of their achievement (eg. Sector recognized certification and training programs) to prospective employers and postsecondary educational or training institutions.

HOW IS SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF AN SHSM DOCUMENTED

  • Successful completion of an SHSM is indicated on the students Ontario Secondary School Diploma by a red seal.
  • The student receives an SHSM record that documents his or her achievement of the required components, including sector related certifications earned and/or training courses completed.
  • Successful completion of an SHSM is indicated on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST).

Students and parents can view the Pathways for both diplomas in the accompanying pages and are encouraged to discuss how the diploma might dovetail with your inclinations before you arrived at St. Paul. There are no substitutions allowed and the program must be completed in the four year framework.

SHSM DOCUMENTATION

Construction and the Changing Environment

Communications and Broadcasting - Updated Pathways

The Environment