SMCA Pre-IB

Enriched Learning Programme (ELP)

GR. 9 & 10

St. Mary Catholic Academy offers an Enriched Learning Programme (ELP) for students in grades 9 and 10, which serves as our IB Preparatory Programme.

The St. Mary Enriched Learning Program courses have been created by St. Mary C.A. teachers, who have received subject-specific International Baccalaureate training. The ELP courses are developed independently of the IB Organization but are mapped backwards from the Diploma Programme (DP) expectations, in order to prepare students for the rigours of the IB programme.

How is the ELP curriculum different from the regular Academic curriculum?

    • Covers the Ontario academic curriculum material at a faster pace and is enriched with additional content

    • Emphasis on building skills such as research, writing, oral communication, and designing, performing and analyzing experiments (Refer to “Focus on Skill Development in the ELP” on the following page)

    • Focus on internationalism and global mindedness

    • Prepares students for the academic rigours of the International Baccalaureate Programme

    • Added Benefit: Students enrolled in the ELP program benefit from congregated placement with other like-minded students

What courses are offered in the Enriched Learning Program?

    • All students must also take Religion in grade 9 and 10.

    • It is recommended that Civics and Careers be taken in Summer school, due to the double Mathematics requirements in grade 10. Students who take the full IB Diploma course requirements, may be exempt from Civics and Careers.

    • All students must complete one Physical Education credit in grade 9.

    • Students must complete one Arts credit by the end of grade 10. Those who are interested in the IB Theatre course in grades 11 and 12, must take the prerequisite course ADA 20E.


Focus on Skill Development in the ELP

  1. Research Skills

  • formulating research questions

  • referencing sources

  • observational skills

  • collecting, organizing, interpreting and presenting information

2. Communication skills

  • presenting

  • recording information

  • reading for meaning

  • listening

  • viewing

  • non-verbal communication

  • multi-literacies

3. Thinking Skills

  • problem solving

  • connecting subjects

  • thinking creatively

  • critical thinking

  • application of knowledge and understanding in familiar and unfamiliar

  • reflection

4. Social Skills

  • collaboration and group work

  • respect for other cultures and points of view

  • global/intercultural awareness and sensitivity

  • affective/emotional skills

  • ethical behavior

5. Self-management skills

  • organization of learning materials

  • time management

  • ·meeting deadlines

  • affective/emotional management

  • positive action