Grade 9
Your Grade 9 Year
So you’re starting high school! This is such an exciting time in your life and a big step towards your future. There’s so much to learn about earning your diploma, but don’t worry, we’re here to help.
In Grade 9, you start earning credits towards your OSSD. This will probably be a brand new experience for most of you, but it’s not as scary as it sounds. Really, a credit is just another word for course (there are a few exceptions to this, but you don’t have to worry about that until Grade 10). There are two types of credits you need to take: compulsory and optional. Basically that means there are some very specific courses you must take, and others that you get to choose. by the end of high school, you will have earned at least 30 credits (perhaps more). In Grade 9, we will be focusing on your first 8!
You’ll also start earning your community involvement hours – fun!
Only need one or two courses? Jump directly to our available course list, or, are you currently in your Grade 8 year but interested in taking a Grade 9 course? Check out our Reach Ahead Program.
What to Expect
The Year at a Glance
A typical Grade 9 student will take 8 courses during their school year. This year is made up of mostly compulsory courses (don’t worry, as you move on to Grade 10, 11, and 12, you’ll have more opportunity to choose which courses you get to take!)
Here at CVS, we offer flexible schedules that you can customize to your needs. Students control the pace that they work through their courses. Below is a sample semester timetable for a Grade 9 student.
Period | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
---|---|---|
September - January | February - June | |
Period 1 | MTH1W: Mathematics | ENL1W: English |
Period 2 | CGC1W: Canadian Geography | SNC1W: Science |
Period 3 | PPL1O: Healthy Active Living Education | ALC1O: Integrated Arts |
Period 4 | FSF1D: French | BEM1O: Entrepreneurship |
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? View our full list of Frequently Asked Questions or Contact Us. We’re here to help.
Resources
Below are some resources that may be handy for you as you prepare for Grade 9. If you have any questions, our team is always here to help, just give us a shout!
Available Courses
The Arts
Integrated Arts (ALC1O)
This course integrates two or more of the arts (dance, drama, media arts, music, and visual arts), giving students the opportunity to produce and present integrated art works created individually or collaboratively. Students will demonstrate innovation as they learn and apply concepts, styles, and conventions unique to the various arts and acquire skills that are transferable beyond the classroom. Students will use the creative process and responsible practices to explore solutions to integrated arts challenges. READ MORE >
Business Studies
Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset (BEM1O)
In this course, students will learn what makes an entrepreneur thrive and the skills required to succeed in today’s business environment. Students will begin to develop their own entrepreneurial mindset, and learn why it’s important to take initiative, adapt to change, find creative solutions, and understand the financial considerations of entrepreneurship. This hands-on course will use business software and applications to help students plan and develop their entrepreneurial ideas and learn how to present them to a target audience. Throughout the course, students will enhance their communications skills as well as develop and refine their project management skills, including goal setting, time management, and networking.
Canadian and World Studies
Exploring Canadian Geography (CGC1W
This course builds on learning in Grades 7 and 8 in geography. Students will explore relationships within and between Canada’s natural and human systems and how they interconnect with other parts of the world. Students will also examine environmental and economic issues, and their impact related to topics such as natural resources and industries, careers, land use and responsible development, and sustainability. In addition, students will understand the connections that diverse communities and individuals have with the physical environment and each other throughout Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives. Students will apply geographic thinking, use the geographic inquiry process, and use geospatial technologies throughout their investigations.
English
English (ENL1W)
This course enables students to continue to develop and consolidate the foundational knowledge and skills that they need for reading, writing, and oral and visual communication. Throughout the course, students will continue to enhance their media literacy and critical literacy skills, and to develop and apply transferable skills, including digital literacy. Students will also make connections to their lived experiences and to society and increase their understanding of the importance of language and literacy across the curriculum. READ MORE >
French as a Second Language
Core French (FSF1D)
This course provides opportunities for students to communicate and interact in French with increasing independence, with a focus on familiar topics related to their daily lives. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing by using language learning strategies introduced in the elementary Core French program, and will apply creative and critical thinking skills in various ways. They will also enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning. READ MORE >
Core French (FSF1O)
This is an introductory course for students who have little or no knowledge of French or who have not accumulated the minimum of 600 hours of elementary Core French instruction. Students will begin to understand and speak French in guided and structured interactive settings, and will develop fundamental skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through discussing issues and situations that are relevant to their daily lives. Throughout the course, students will develop their awareness of diverse French-speaking communities in Canada and acquire an understanding and appreciation of these communities. They will also develop a variety of skills necessary for lifelong language learning.
Guidance and Career Education
Learning Strategies 1: Skills for Success in Secondary School (GLS1O)
This course focuses on learning strategies to help students become better, more independent learners. Students will learn how to develop and apply literacy and numeracy skills, personal-management skills, and interpersonal and teamwork skills to improve their learning and achievement in school, the workplace, and the community. The course helps students build confidence and motivation to pursue opportunities for success in secondary school and beyond. READ MORE >
Mathematics
Mathematics (MTH1W)
This course enables students to consolidate, and continue to develop, an understanding of mathematical concepts related to number sense and operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, data, probability, and financial literacy. Students will use mathematical processes, mathematical modelling, and coding to make sense of the mathematics they are learning and to apply their understanding to culturally responsive and relevant real-world situations. Students will continue to enhance their mathematical reasoning skills, including proportional reasoning, spatial reasoning, and algebraic reasoning, as they solve problems and communicate their thinking. READ MORE >
Health and Physical Education
Healthy Active Living Education (PPL1O)
This course equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy choices now and lead healthy, active lives in the future. Through participation in a wide range of physical activities, students develop knowledge and skills related to movement competence and personal fitness that provide a foundation for active living. Students also acquire an understanding of the factors and skills that contribute to healthy development and learn how their own well-being is affected by, and affects, the world around them. Students build their sense of self, learn to interact positively with others, and develop their ability to think critically and creatively. READ MORE >
Science
Science (SNC1W)
This course enables students to develop their understanding of concepts related to biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science, and to relate science to technology, society, and the environment. Throughout the course, students will develop and refine their STEM skills as they use scientific research, scientific experimentation, and engineering design processes to investigate concepts and apply their knowledge in situations that are relevant to their lives and communities. Students will continue to develop transferable skills as they become scientifically literate global citizens. READ MORE >