Students choose between course types on the basis of their interests, achievement, and postsecondary goals. The course types offered in Grades 9 and 10 are defined as follows:

Academic courses develop students’ knowledge and skills through the study of theory and abstract problems. These courses focus on the essential concepts of a subject and explore related concepts as well. They incorporate practical applications as appropriate.

Applied courses focus on the essential concepts of a subject, and develop students’ knowledge and skills through practical applications and concrete examples. Familiar situations are used to illustrate ideas, and students are given more opportunities to experience hands-on applications of the concepts and theories they study.

Open courses are designed to prepare students for further study in the subject, and to enrich their education generally. These courses comprise a set of expectations that are appropriate for all students.

Our School board offers a locally developed compulsory credit (LDCC) course in English in each of Grades 9 and 10, which may be used to meet the compulsory credit requirement in English for these grades. Strathroy has developed an IWI course to support students in locally developed courses. See IWI for more information.

The Grade 9 and 10 LDCC courses prepare students for success in the Grade 11 English workplace preparation course.