NRHS Gr 11 & 12

On the left hand menu, select "Class Registration".
Categories of classes will appear. On the right hand side, there is an image of a pen/pencil. Click on it to edit your selections in that category.

I am trying to pick my classes using the app on my phone, but I can't figure out how.

You can not select courses using the PowerSchool app. You MUST log into the website. The address is: https://sisccrsb.ednet.ns.ca/public/

Do I need to pick classes from every category?

No! Review your personalized credit check to see what classes you need to take. They are categorized to help you find them easier.

I can't see the class I am looking for.

The program is sneaky! It can only show a few classes at a time, look for the "NEXT" button at the bottom of the list of classes to see more options.

It still won't let me pick my class, or it says I have picked the incorrect amount of classes.

There may be rare circumstances where a student is not able to select the specific courses they need or want. If that happens to you, send an email to your guidance counsellor with the list of classes you are trying to enroll in. We will add them for you! Or reach out to you to discuss it. Ms. Brown brownk@ccrce.ca Mrs. Reid reidk@ccrce.ca

Why am I required to select an alternate course?

The schedule is created to ensure that the greatest number of students received the courses they requested. Sometimes a particular list of courses can not be made to work in the schedule. We would like to know your "next best choice". With that little bit of flexibility we can often make things work. So if you have selected Global History, and you would be just as happy with Global Geography, put that as your alternate. Or if you are going into grade 11, put a course that you were hoping to save for the next year. Fingers crossed, we will not give you your alternate course anyway, but it sure helps us a lot to know your next best choice!

Commonly Asked Questions about Courses

English

In grade 11 and 12 you can opt between Academic English and English Communications.

Academic English is preparing you for University studies. (It is also required for some college programs.) You will study things like Shakespeare, write research papers, etc.
English Communications is preparing you for most college level programs. You will study English in a very practical way.
(Note: If you are looking for an advanced study course for your English, consider taking a 2-year long IB certificate course: IB English Literature.)

Your English teacher will support you with a recommendation that will allow you to choose the most appropriate level based on: your achievements and demonstrated abilities, your ability to work independently and your work habits and attendance records. You can see this recommendation when you login to PowerSchool to select your classes. If you do not agree with your teacher's recommendation, reach out to them for an explanation.

You can register in a course against the recommendation of your teacher. There will be follow-up conversations with you and your family to ensure everyone understands the decision being made.

Math

In grade 10-12 you can select between

Math Essentials
Math at Work
Academic Math
Or you can go beyond Academic Math and study PreCal/Calculus or take IB Math.

This is one of the great myths of education. There are MANY college AND university programs for which you do NOT require Academic Math. No program, of which we are aware, differentiates between Math at Work or Math Essentials. (If they will accept you into the program with Math at Work, they would also accept you with Math Essentials.)

Your math teacher will support you with a recommendation that will allow you to choose the most appropriate math level based on: your mathematics achievements and demonstrated abilities, your ability to work independently and your work habits and attendance records. You can see this recommendation when you login to PowerSchool to select your classes. If you do not agree with your teacher's recommendation, reach out to them for an explanation.

You can register in a course against the recommendation of your teacher. There will be follow-up conversations with you and your family to ensure everyone understands the decision being made.

Science

What is the difference between Human Biology and Academic Biology?

Human Biology is a general level course that satisfies the need for a second high school science credit. It does NOT prepare you for Biology 12 and is not accepted by universities.
Biology is an academic course preparing you for further science study.
A student can NOT receive credit for both Human Biology and Biology 11.

I don’t love science and do not plan on pursuing any post secondary courses that have a science requirement. What science should I take?

Human Biology, Oceans or Agriculture are less intensive than the academic science options of: Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Technology

What is a tech class?

Tech classes are listed on page 4 of the course selection booklet. (It will be linked here as soon as it is available.)

Do I have to take tech classes?

Not necessarily. Students who take Math 10 get two credits… One is your grade 10 math credit. The other counts as a tech credit. Students who take three science classes… The first two are used as your science requirements The third counts as your tech credit.

What if I want to take more tech credits?

There are lots of great tech credits available! Take as many as you like. Any extras will be counted in your elective category.

Canadian History

At some point in high school you must take one of: Canadian History, Mikmaw Studies, African Canadian Studies or Contemporary Canadian Studies 11.

You are welcome to take more than one Canadian History credit. They will be counted in your elective category.

Global Studies

In grade 12, you must take one of: Global History, Global Politics, Global Geography or Global Sustainable Solutions/.

PRE IB NOTE: Students who studied in the Pre-IB program in grade 10 can waive this requirement if they successfully completed Pre-IB Geography. However, while this course counts as a Global Studies, it does not count as a grade 12 credit. It is documented as a grade 10 credit. If a student who studied Pre IB Geography in grade 10 would like to take a grade 12 Global class, they are asked NOT register in Global Geography 12, as the course material is too similar.

Fine Arts and Physical Education

You must take ONE Fine Art and ONE Phys Ed credit during your high school years.

You do NOT need to take one each year, thought you are welcome to take as many courses from these categories as fits within your graduation plan.

Fine Arts: Drama, Visual Art, Music

Phys Ed: Physical Education, Yoga, Fitness Leadership, Outdoor PE Leadership, Exercise Science

What do universities think about grade 12 Fine Art Classes?

Visual Arts, Drama and Music are all Academic Grade 12 classes. They are accepted for university entrance.

What do universities think about grade 12 Phys Ed Classes?

Outdoor PE Leadership and Exercise Science is accepted at most universities as an academic credit. Phys Ed 12 can not be used as an entrance course for university, but you can certainly still take it as long as you have met the entrance criteria through other classes.

Electives/Extra Courses

Their is no specific list of classes for this category. Any class you take that doesn't fit into a category above, or if the category full, it lands in this section.

International Baccalaureate Application

IB Coordinator: Alex Wolf wolfat@ccrce.ca

Take the full IB Diploma, or opt to choose your favourite courses to study at a high, independent level.

Click HERE for an application form.

Pre-IB Grade 10 Application

IB Coordinator: Alex Wolf wolfat@ccrce.ca

Courses designed to prepare students for the option of takeing the International Baccalaureate program in grades 11 and 12.

Click HERE for the Pre-IB Brochure. Click HERE for the application form.

Career Exploration Program Documents

CEP Coordinator: Trevor Foley foleyT@ccrce.ca

Follow this link to registration for a Test Drive of CEP, a brochure, the application and reference forms.

French Certificates (Immersion and Integrated)

Am I on track to complete a French Immersion Certificate or an Integrated French Certificate?

To receive either of these certificates, you must successfully complete a French Language course at each level - 10, 11 and 12.

To receive a French Immersion Certificate, you must complete 6 additional courses instructed in French. (Preferably two each year of high school.) At NRHS these courses typically are: Art Dramatique, Mode de Vie Actif, Biologie 11, Biologie 12, Histoire du Canada, Histoire Planetaire.

To receive an Integrated French Certificate, you must complete 3 of these additional courses instructed in French. (Preferably one each year of high school.)

There are other courses available through the NS Virtual School if they are needed to supplement a student's selections. There are also some IB courses taught in French.

Thinking about Post-Secondary Options - 2+2 Program (NSCC/University)

Combine College and University

Not ready to head straight to university, but you are interested in eventually obtaining a degree? Over 70 NSCC programs include courses that count towards a university degree. A two-year NSCC diploma may be recognized for up to two years of a four-year university degree. I promise you will be surprised about some of the programs in which you could start your degree studies. Check out the list at: https://www.nscc.ca/admissions/articulation_agreements.asp

There's benefits to that:

Lower tuition for 2 years.
Possibility of living at home instead of paying for residence or an apartment.
Support of smaller classes and teachers that know you, instead of getting lost in a crowd of 200 faces.
Time to mature and "get ready" to leave home.

Thinking about Post-Secondary Pre-Requisites - NSCC

Nova Scotia Community College

Has MANY programs where the only requirement is high school graduation. There are no specific courses needed or grades required. (Some programs do have specific requirements.)

NSCC has a very informative, easy to navigate website. To discover what kind of requirements are needed for admission to the various programs, visit their Program Listing Website.

After choosing a program, click on the “Admission Requirements” tab.

Some NSCC programs will require Academic Math, Academic English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry… so do look ahead!

If you do not have the course needed for direct entry to a program, NSCC also offers “Academic and Career Connections” where you can upgrade your high school courses. Students can now upgrade TWO courses at NSCC for FREE!!

Thinking about Post-Secondary Pre-Requisites - NS Universities

Universities in Nova Scotia

In general, to be considered for acceptance at a university in Nova Scotia, you must have a solid grade in:

English 12 and 4 more Grade 12 Academic Courses

NOTE: “Solid” grade, varies from university to university and program to program. Some will accept 60%, some require 70%.... some specific programs will require grades much higher than that.

Depending on the program you want to enter in university, the university will be more specific about what those 4 Grade 12 Academic Courses must be. (They will always require the Academic English!)

Engineering: PreCal 12, Physics 12, Chemistry 12, and one other Grade 12 Academic Course

Nursing: Math 12, Biology 12, Chemistry 12, and one other Grade 12 Academic Course

Science: While there is some variation from school to school, to keep your doors open I would recommend having: PreCal 12, TWO Grade 12 Sciences, and one other Grade 12 Academic Course

Arts: Typically, it is any 4 courses of your choice, but some schools and some programs do require more specific things.

These are just general guidelines to popular programs chosen by recent graduates. Remember, each program and university set their own admission requirements. Visit the University websites to find out more specifics on what is required and to explore their programs!

Acadia University

Cape Breton University

Dalhousie University

Mount Saint Vincent University

Saint Mary’s University

St. Francis Xavier University

Université Sainte-Anne

Thinking about Post-Secondary Pre-Requisites - Universities Outside of NS

Universities OUTSIDE of Nova Scotia

Universities outside of Nova Scotia have similar admissions requirements, but their differences are more notable than between the NS Universities.

For example:

At Memorial University of Newfoundland, you can start science programs, including engineering, with only Academic Math 12. They also have broader requirements for students to have courses from various categories (science, social studies) regardless of the program you wish to study.

At University of New Brunswick, they require six courses for admissions, but they will look back to your grade 11 courses.

Some Ontario universities will require that a student has completed Calculus 12 to be considered for admission to science/engineering programs. (No program within NS requires Calculus 12.)

Keep your doors open by taking the highest level of courses that you are capable of being successful in.

Other Sites of Interest for Future Plans

Canadaian Armed Forces

Canadian Coast Guard

Medavie - Paramedicine

NavCan - Air Traffic Control

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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