International Students

Welcome to Parkland!

We can't wait to meet you! Please take time to check out all of our many course offerings before you complete your course selection form. We will do our best to fill your schedule with your first choices but this isn't always possible, so please be sure to request some alternative courses.

We hope the following information will make your course selection a little bit easier.

Out of Time-Table Courses

In addition to your in-timetable classes, you might be interested in classes offered before or after school, at lunch time or on weekends.

• Jazz Band - piano (with jazz experience), guitar (with jazz experience), saxophone, trumpet, trombone. Rentals available. This class meets before school.

• Concert Band - flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba. Rentals available. This class meets before school.

• Vocal Music (Choir) - voice or accompanying pianist with classical experience. This class meets before school.

• Sports Performance Basketball - mornings

• Sailing - after school & weekends

• Leadership - Tuesday & Thursdays at lunch

• Yearbook - varies

• Career Life Connections 12 A & B  - graduation requirement. 

Academics

Many of our academic courses are offered at different levels.  It is important that you select courses that are at the correct level for you.

English

• If you are proficient in English you may wish to select English class offered for your grade level.

• If you would like to work on your English proficiency, please request our English Prep class. 

• If you are staying for a full year you may wish to take English Prep in semester one, and your grade-level English in semester two, or take two English Prep classes to further advance your proficiency. 

Math 

Math is taught in many different ways, and at different levels, across the globe. It is important that you select a math class that is the right fit for you. You'll want a class that provides a good challenge, but is not too easy or too hard!

• Math 9 & Foundations of Math and Pre-Calculus 10 - these are the common grade 9 & 10 mathematics courses and are the starting point for both the Foundations of Mathematics pathway and Pre-Calculus pathway. 

• Math 9 - Fundamentals & Workplace Math 10 & 11 - these courses are designed for students who require extra support in math. Workplace math is designed to provide students with mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified as necessary for entry into the majority of trades and for direct entry into the workforce.

• Foundations of Math 11 - This course is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified for post-secondary studies in programs that do not require the study of theoretical calculus, and is accepted as a prerequisite for most college programs and university faculties of Social Science, Humanities, and Fine Arts. 

• Pre-Calculus 11 - This pathway is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified for entry into post-secondary programs that require the study of theoretical calculus, such as science, engineering, math, and business. 

• Pre-Calculus 12 - This course is a common prerequisite for admission into university programs in the faculties of science, engineering, math, and business. 

• Calculus 12 - This course is suited to students who intend to go on to post-secondary education and who plan on taking a first-year university mathematics course. 

Science

You have many choices for Science. 

• Science 9 & 10 - general science covering biology, chemistry, physics and earth science.

• Marine Science 9 - this course places an emphasis on the science of the ocean and all its inhabitants.  Students in this course may have the opportunity for additional activities such as a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium, a tour of a Coast Guard vessel, and a study of intertidal life. 

• Marine Science 10 - this is a full-year course that is connected with Marine P.E. Single semester students are accepted in the class if there is space.  The courses will be taught with a marine focus in an interdisciplinary, project-based way that will take students from the classroom into the marine environment. It includes the opportunity for students to earn their Pleasure Craft Operator Card and/or complete the PADI Open Water Diver course, and will gain experience on the water by learning to canoe during the PHE portion of the class. A year end optional canoeing and camping trip to Bamberton Provincial Park is offered as part of this course

• Marine Biology 11 - this Biology 11 course is taught with a marine theme and has a large lab and outdoor component. It includes kayak trips, field trips, and an optional 4-day field trip to the Bamfield Marine Science Centre.

• Science for Citizens 11 - This course provides students with the opportunity to view their everyday lives through a thoughtful, scientific lens. It develops scientific literacy skills used for critical thinking as a productive member of our democratic society in an era filled with excess information.  It is accepted as a graduation credit but is not recognized by Universities for students pursing the sciences in post-secondary.

• Life Science 11 & Anatomy & Physiology 12 (Biology) - standard grade 11 and 12 Biology courses.

• Chemistry 11 & 12 - standard grade 11 and 12 Chemistry classes. Chemistry 11 or equivalent is required to be successful in Chemistry 12.

• Physics 11 & 12 - standard grade 11 & 12 Physics classes. Physics 11 or equivalent is required to be successful in Physics 12. 

Social Studies

Note: grade 11 students can select any of the grade 12 social studies. No pre-requisites required. 

• Social Studies 9 & 10 - general social studies classes covering 18th- 19th century (grade 9) and 20th century (grade 10)

• Exploration in Social Studies 11 - Contemporary Canada and World Affairs: The overall theme of Social Studies 11 is one of developing responsible citizenship 

• History 12 - This course examines major 20th century issues and events which include the Russian and Chinese Revolutions, the two World Wars, the Cold War, the Vietnam and Korean wars, the Middle East, and the evolution of human rights in the 20th century. 

• Comparative Cultures 12 - This course examines cultures and societies from around the world. The course emphasizes cultural rather than political history and in it, students will also study various aspects of cultures including the origin of modern humans, belief systems and art, marriage and family, and economic organizations and politics 

• BC First Peoples 12 - The aim of this course is to enable all learners to understand and respect the traditions, values and beliefs of First Nations peoples within historical, contemporary and future contexts, as well as to appreciate the importance of First Nations languages.

• Social Justice 12 - The course focuses on a wide variety of social justice issues. It will move students through three stages of social engagement. Initially, awareness of social justice issues is developed as students begin to explore issues from various perspectives. Next, students analyze issues to gain a more thorough understanding of them. Finally, students pick specific issues to focus on and develop their own personal action plans for making change in an area they feel passionate about. In this way, they progress from awareness to analysis and action on a social justice topic of their choice. 

• Law Studies 12 - This course is designed to be an informative and applicable approach to the legal system in Canada. Classes are made up of various topics of interest to students and are delivered through lectures, informal discussion, video presentations, and guest speakers. One of the highlights of the course is the observation of court cases at the Victoria Provincial Law Courts. 

Academies & International Baccalaureate Program

Parkland is home to many exciting academies and programs.  Check out the following opportunities!

Sailing - many of our International students participate in our sailing academy! Semester one is a shorter season (before the weather turns) and provides opportunities for sailors of all abilities to get out on the ocean and experience our beautiful coast line while learning or practicing their sailing skills. Semester two is race season and includes opportunities for practice and racing. This is an out-of-timetable program. 

Judo - Parkland is proud to be home to the only high school Judo Academy in North America! Beginners to advanced athletes are welcome to join us on the mats.

Hockey - the Parkland Hockey Academy provides on-ice and strength training instruction. It is an in-timetable class that is offered in Semester 1.

Marine Institute  -  We take advantage of having the ocean in our backyard by offering a wide range of Marine studies including Sciences, Physical Education and Marine Repair and Restoration. 

International Baccalaureate - Parkland Secondary School is proud of its innovative, inspiring and inclusive learning environment that is further enhanced by the addition of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Parkland is the only English speaking public school on southern Vancouver Island that is offering the IB Diploma Program for students in their final two years of high school. The IB Diploma Program prepares students for participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society as they develop intellectually, emotionally, physically and ethically while acquiring skills that will prepare them for further education and life in the 21st century. Universities across Canada and around the world regard the IB program as excellent preparation for university entrance. Parkland Secondary School is pleased to work with parents on transportation and accommodation requirements for those students who are not residents of the Peninsula or Victoria. For more information visit Parkland IB or IBO.