School Information
Here at mary ward, we offer...
Self-Directed learning
Founded in 1985, the school is one of only seven in Canada which offers a unique mode of curriculum delivery emphasizing individualized learning and self-paced progress. With the exception of the scheduled classes that begin the year and eight other designated scheduled days assigned throughout the year, students at Mary Ward design their own timetables in close consultation with their TA (Teacher Advisor - see below). A bi-weekly seminar schedule is posted to assist students in their planning. Students experience an innovative model of curriculum delivery that integrates learning guides with a diverse range of instructional methodologies including lectures, seminars, labs, small group work, independent study and one-on-one instruction.
TA - Teacher advisor Program
The single most important relationship between a student and teacher is embodied in the teacher advisor program. At Mary Ward this consists of a multi-level grouping of eighteen students with a teacher for the student's entire high school career. The exemplary TA program at Mary Ward, acknowledged by the Ontario Royal Commission on Learning, is intended to provide each student with a caring adult to monitor his/ her progress and development. Students learn in different ways and at different rates. The process of continuous progress is one of accountability involving the student, parent, and teacher advisor working together to develop a plan to meet the needs of the learner.
What is a Specialist High Skills Major? (SHSM)
SHSM is a high school program that offers students an opportunity to learn knowledge and skills required for careers in Health and Wellness. This program enables students to acquire skills and experiences, which will assist them in their post-secondary pathway - university, college, apprenticeship training or workplace.
Who Can Benefit from this Program?
SHSM is available to all students in grades 11 and 12, regardless of their choice of post-secondary destination. Mary Ward offers SHSM Certification in Healthcare, Construction, Non Profit & Business. Click on the subject links to see more information about each specific SHSM program.
Find out more information from our school website:
https://www.tcdsb.org/schools/maryward/Academics/Pages/Specialist-High-Skills-Major-(SHSM).aspx
Our Program
The purpose of our program is to prepare students who possess a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math to reconcile theories, algorithms, and formulas from their pre-requisite courses towards the innovation and practical applications of the Real World. Students can explore global engineering systems, biological pandemics, architectural perspectives, and structural design, which all take place through project-based learning. The self-directed learning model at Mary Ward CSS lends itself perfectly to an enriched STEAM program, as teachers have the daily freedom to bring their classes together to engage in joint STEAM projects. Upon taking specific courses, students can earn a STEM certificate upon graduation, in addition to their compiled STEAM portfolio.
Below are some examples of projects that students can use to build their STEAM portfolio for post-secondary programs:
Zombie apocalypse
Viral disease survival game
Data pixel art project
Fractal art/ Biology project
Windmill trigonometry project
ECO classroom/ Chicken coop
STEAM Mathletics Day
Blood splatter analysis
Hydroponic farms
For more information visit our STEAM Website! Also Click HERE to access a recording of a recent Information Night Event that was put on about this exciting program.
IMG_3966.MOVIMG_3970.MOVProjects.MOV