Specialist High Skill Major

A SHSM is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. It also assists in their transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace.

SHSMs are available at St. Anne's in the following sectors and the applications can be found at the bottom of this page:

  • Engineering, Robotics and Manufacturing - Lead Teacher : Mr. M. Costello

  • Health and Wellness - Lead Teacher: Mrs. B. McCabe

  • Information and Communications Technology - Lead Teacher: Ms. K. Gayowsky

  • Justice, Community Safety, and Emergency Services - Lead Teacher: Mr. K. Procyk

  • ​Transportation - Lead Teacher: Mr. G. Pizzuto


What are the key benefits of an SHSM?

Pursuing an SHSM helps students to:

      • Customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents.

      • Develop specialized knowledge and skills.

      • Earn credits that post-secondary educational institutions and the sector recognize.

      • Gain sector-recognized certification and career-relevant training.

      • Develop essential skills and work habits documented through the Ontario Skills Passport.

      • Identify, explore, and refine career goals and make informed decisions about their future.

      • Remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways, should their goals and plans change.

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How is an SHSM recognized?

  • Students who successfully complete an SHSM receive:

      • an Ontario Secondary School Diploma with an embossed SHSM seal

      • a SHSM Record documenting his/her achievement

      • formal recognition on his/her Ontario Student Transcript


What are the components of an SHSM?

Each SHSM consists of five required components:

      • A defined bundle of credits consisting of eight to ten Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits, including cooperative education credits.

      • Certification and training ; sector-recognized certifications and training courses and programs

      • Experiential learning and career exploration activities; experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector

      • Reach ahead experiences; learning experiences connected with the student’s post-secondary plans

      • Essential Skills and work habits; development of essential skills and work habits required in the sector, recorded use of tools in the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP)​

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What can I do to prepare?

  • Plan accordingly: take the Grade 9 and Grade 10 courses that will lead you to the pathway of your choice.

  • Visit your guidance counsellor or SHSM Lead for further information.

When can I get started?

  • Apply in your Grade 10 year, SHSM begins in Gr. 11.

  • If you are interested please contact your guidance counsellor or school SHSM Lead to register today!

  • SHSM Applications can be found below!