Secondary Programs: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

On this page:

• Assessment, Evaluation and Communication (AE&C)
• Timetable
• Secondary School Adaptive Model
• Sample Student Timetable for a Week - 4 Period School Schedule
• Morning Rotation Schedule - Block 1 for 4 Period School Schedule
• Sample Student Timetable for a Week - 5 Period School Schedule
• Morning Rotation Schedule - Block 1 for 5 Period School Schedule
• Secondary Online Model​
• Sample Online Student Timetable
• Graduation Requirements
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• The Arts - Music (Instrumental and Vocal)
• The Arts - Visual Arts
• Cooperative Education, Exploring Opportunities Program (EOP), High Performance Athlete (HPA), and Alternative Learning Experience Programme (ALEP)
• Dual Credit Programming
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Translation and Interpretation Support
• Shared Learning Materials and Resources (e.g., textbooks)

Assessment, Evaluation and Communication (AE&C)

• Assessment, evaluation and reporting activities will focus on the achievement of overall expectations outlined in the Ontario Curriculum.

• Educators will continue to provide assessment and evaluation of students’ work and progress. 

• To support the improvement and learning for all students, teachers will provide ongoing assessments, feedback, evaluation, and reporting.

• The Ministry of Education will release more information regarding Assessment and Evaluation (e.g., requirements for Secondary Mid-Term reporting). Once we have more information, we will provide it to families. 

Timetable​

Secondary School Adaptive Model

As directed by the Ministry of Education, secondary schools in York Region will open using an Adaptive Model to support student learning.  In this adapted model, students will continue with their scheduled classes through a modified school schedule that includes both synchronous (real time) and asynchronous learning during the school day.

In the morning, attending cohorts will be in schools for in-person face-to-face learning with their teachers. Students will leave the school and later engage in live online learning for their afternoon classes with the entire class. On non-attending days, students will engage in asynchronous and/or synchronous learning in the morning and then engage in their afternoon classes through live online learning with the entire class. School specific information on school times will be available to families in the near future as details are finalized.

This model minimizes contact between cohorts of students as they will be attending class with only one cohort each day during a rotation. Over the full semester, this model provides additional learning time, including in-class learning, as compared to other adaptive models that were reviewed.

Sample Student Timetable for a Week - 4 Period School Schedule (Adaptive)

This represents a student’s timetable during Rotation 1 (12 days in length) and Rotation 5 (11 days in length) as highlighted below. For example, Rotation 1 would take place between September 8 - 23, 2020. 

*Students attending in person for the day may attend Study Hall as needed in the afternoon for their online courses. Study hall is optional for students (e.g., those that require internet access). A study hall will consist of a school providing students with a space where they can attend their online periods at the school using the school wifi. Students must exercise physical distancing and will be supervised by a member of staff. Students must arrange their own transportation home after leaving the study hall.​

Morning Rotation Schedule - Block 1 for 4 Period School Schedule (Adaptive)

This represents a student’s timetable over a semester of 92 days in length. Each column displays a Rotation lasting 11 - 12 days in length. For example, Rotation 1 would take place between September 8 - 23, 2020. 

*Students attending in person for the day may attend Study Hall as needed in the afternoon for their online courses. Study hall is optional for students (e.g., those that require internet access). A study hall will consist of a school providing students with a space where they can attend their online periods at the school using the school wifi. Students must exercise physical distancing and will be supervised by a member of staff. Students must arrange their own transportation home after leaving the study hall.​

Sample Student Timetable for a Week - 5 Period School Schedule (Adaptive)

This represents a student’s timetable during Rotation 1 (10 days in length) and Rotation 6 (9 days in length) as highlighted below. For example, Rotation 1 would take place between September 8 - 21, 2020.

*Students attending in person for the day may attend Study Hall as needed in the afternoon for their online courses. Study hall is optional for students (e.g., those that require internet access). A study hall will consist of a school providing students with a space where they can attend their online periods at the school using the school wifi. Students must exercise physical distancing and will be supervised by a member of staff. Students must arrange their own transportation home after leaving the study hall.​​

Morning Rotation Schedule - Block 1 for 5 Period School Schedule (Adaptive)

This represents a student’s timetable over a semester of 92 days in length. Each column displays a Rotation lasting 9 - 10 days in length. For example, Rotation 1 would take place between September 8 - 21, 2020.

*Students attending in person for the day may attend Study Hall as needed in the afternoon for their online courses. Study hall is optional for students (e.g., those that require internet access). A study hall will consist of a school providing students with a space where they can attend their online periods at the school using the school wifi. Students must exercise physical distancing and will be supervised by a member of staff. Students must arrange their own transportation home after leaving the study hall.​​​

Please note, these times used in each of the timetables are approximate, and used as a sample only. Start and end times may vary by school. School specific information on timetabling will be available to families in the near future as details are finalized.

Secondary Online Model

Families can make the decision to send their child to school or engage in remote online learning.  Online learning will be available for students who do not return to school physically.   Students will be able to engage in live online learning in a manner similar to day schools.  Specific remote learning classes will be created and taught by teachers who are available to the system. This means that your child may be taught online by teachers who are not connected to your child’s school. 

Students in Grades 9-12 will have a minimum of 60 minutes of real-time, live (synchronous) learning with a teacher for each 75-minute period. Any remaining time would be asynchronous (not live) learning. Learning will follow the Ontario curriculum and follow teaching patterns similar to a regular classroom such as small and large group learning opportunities, with students engaging with their teacher and classmates. 

​Please note that, in order to maintain safety and appropriate cohorts, children whose families opt for online learning in September may be required to wait for a specific entry point (e.g., beginning of a semester) to return to in-person learning at school. We will also support transitions between face-to-face and online learning when possible as space allows.

Sample Online Student Timetable 

Please note, these times used in the online timetable are approximate, and used as a sample only. Start and end times may vary upon commencement of the school year.

Graduation Requirements

• Graduation requirements remain the same.

• Information regarding Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) and volunteer hours will be shared when communicated by the Ministry and EQAO.

• Students are encouraged to continue to seek volunteer opportunities wherever possible, adhering to all safety guidelines provided by Public Health (including physical distancing). Please note that in-school classroom volunteers are not permitted at this time. 

Advanced Placement (AP)

AP courses will continue as per individual school course offerings. We are still awaiting information regarding AP Exams and will communicate with students and families once provided by AP Central.

The Arts - Music (Instrumental and Vocal)

In order to support the Health and Safety protocols, the following will be in place: 

• No singing/ vocal music 

• No playing of wind/brass instruments in schools

Teachers will continue to support learning and achievement through a balance of the overall expectations within The Arts curricula for Grades 9 and 10 and Grades 11 and 12.

The Arts - Visual Arts

Visual Arts programs will continue and safety protocols will be maintained. It is acceptable, but not required, for students to bring their own materials for personal use in Visual Arts classrooms.

Cooperative Education, Exploring Opportunities Program (EOP), High Performance Athlete (HPA), and Alternative Learning Experience Programme (ALEP)

• The community placements for students enrolled in Co-op will be arranged in alignment with the direction and recommendations of the local Public Health and with the safety and curriculum requirements outlined in the Co-operative Education Curriculum.

• If possible and necessary, Co-op/EOP/ALEP students may be provided the opportunity to continue to work at their placements virtually with Principal and parent/guardian permission.

Dual Credit Programming

All Dual Credit courses will be online for the Fall semester. Regional Dual Credit Teachers will communicate details to students and provide support throughout the semester.

Health and Physical Education

We are awaiting provincial direction for health and safety guidelines on physical activity which may impact physical education courses.  Please see COVID-19 Pandemic: Return to School Canadian Physical and Health Education guidelines.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Information about IB will be forthcoming from IB International.

Science

Science programs will continue and safety protocols will be maintained (e.g., cleaning of goggles). 

Specialist High School Major (SHSM)

SHSM is planned to continue in September and may have minor modifications to ensure safety protocols can be maintained. 

Technological Education Courses

Technological Education programs will continue and safety protocols will be maintained.   

EQAO (Grade 9 Mathematics and OSSLT)

More information to come from EQAO, which will be provided to families as it is available. At this time, OSSLT is expected to continue. 

Special Education 

We recognize that all our students are unique and will have different needs when we return to schools and classrooms. Our staff are committed to following Public Health guidelines to provide the safest environment and care for our students and staff. Learn more about special education services and supports.

English Language Learners 

All English Language Learners will have access, as appropriate, to: 

• School-Based ESL/ELD program supports, Elementary & Secondary or

• Regional ELD Programs, Elementary & Secondary

Culturally and linguistically responsive ESL/ELD Program Models are informed by a variety of school and student factors. Programs will continue to be flexible and responsive to shifting/challenging home or community circumstances to address equity of access, safety and privacy for all students. 

Supporting Students/Families with Digital Tools 

Support will be provided to students and their families to access and use the digital tools needed for online learning. If you need support, please speak with your school. 

Translation and Interpretation Support

As a district, where possible and time permits important documents are translated into languages based on YRDSB’s welcome centre registration data. In some cases, due to the urgency of communications, not all documents are translated. Please speak to your school for support as needed. 

To help remove barriers that limit access to information and participation in learning opportunities, the following Translation Software Tips for Families is available.

Shared Learning Materials and Resources (e.g., textbooks)

Students who have school materials, such as textbooks, from the 2019-2020 school year are asked to return them to the school as soon as possible.