How to Read your Schedule

Every course in an Ontario Secondary School has a six-character course code with each character identifying the course discipline, grade, course type or pathway, and a school-specific program.

Consider this example: ENL1W1

The first character identifies the course discipline, which in this example is ENGLISH.  

• A = Arts

• B = Business Studies

• C = Canadian and World Studies

• E = English or English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Literacy Development (ELD)

• F = French

• G = Guidance and Career Education

• H = Humanities and Social Sciences

• I  = Interdisciplinary Studies or Computer Studies

• L  = Classical Studies and International Languages

• M = Mathematics

• N = First Nations, Métis, and Inuit StudieE

• P = Physical and Health Education

• S = Science

• T = Technological Education 

The SECOND AND THIRD characters USED TO IDENTIFY THE COURSE WITHIN THE SUBJECT AREA. 

• PPL= Phys. Ed in all Grade Levels

• PAF= Fitness in Grade 9 and 10

• PLF= Leadership

P represents Phy. Ed.

PPL is always used for regular PE classes. The codes are determined but the ministry

The fourth character identifies the grade level, which in this example  (ENL1W1) is Grade 9.

• 1 = Grade 9

• 2 = Grade 10

• 3 = Grade 11

• 4 = Grade 12

• Note: ESL/ELD courses use the letters A, B, C, D, and E to differentiate courses but are not linked to specific grade levels

The fifth character identifies the course type or pathway, which is dESTREAMED in this example. (ENL1W1) 

Choosing the right level is extremely important. We recommend that you take the level that you will get 70% or above which is the provincial standard. Most courses have a pre-requisite (you must take a certain course at a certain level before taking the chosen course). Postsecondary (College and University) also requires certain courses and minimum averages to apply.