Grade 11 (Sec. V)
The Contemporary World course allows students to develop an appreciation for their responsibilities and duties as citizens in local, national and global contexts. Citizenship is an essential component of any democracy. As citizens, we need to be aware of the issues that frame our lives and be able to react to them in an informed and reasoned way. Through an integrated and multidisciplinary program that comprises Geography, History, Politics and Economics, students in Contemporary World will learn about current ideologies and issues as well as the debates that surround them. The course combines academic insight and practical application to impart a heightened sense of ethical purpose, civic engagement and understanding of social justice. The intent is to develop a sense of citizenship so that students may acquire a refined understanding of the modern world and make more informed decisions.
The English Language Arts program promotes the love of learning by encouraging students to deepen their appreciation of literature and their understanding of language encountered in media texts. Students engage in an open and respectful discussion of a wide range of ideas, including major ethical and moral dilemmas faced by humankind. The choice of literature and the topics of discussion and debate encourage intellectual development and a habit of reflection. All writing forms, both analytical and creative, are practiced. Emphasis continues to be placed on vocabulary development. The fundamentals of language are reviewed as required.
This course aims to ask some of the fundamental questions of the human experience: Who are we? What does it mean to be “human?” Why does suffering exist? Why are there so any interpretations of the Divine? These are but a few of the questions that students will examine, reflect upon, discuss and respond to. Students will construct their own understanding of the key existential, ethical, and religious questions that human society has and continues to grapple with.
This course will also examine the great religious traditions of the world in order to help develop students in becoming 21st century citizens that are both knowledgeable and accepting of the multi- faith and multicultural reality of modern–day Quebec society. In doing so, students will analyze Quebec society through its great religious traditions as well as Roman Catholicism.
Financial Education is aimed at guiding students to develop the economic competencies needed to become financially literate adolescents capable of navigating both their current economic contexts as well their future roles as citizens able to participate in an informed economic manner. Special focus will be placed on acquiring financial knowledge and skills that will allow them to navigate the increasingly complex economic landscape with regards to financing, debt, consumption, purchasing, taxation, savings, investment, and remuneration as well as employment qualifications.
Additionally, as a means to foster entrepreneurial spirit and further develop financial literacy skills students will participate in the annual Student Stock Exchange (SSX). The Student Stock Exchange is a cross-curricular project where students are to create and manage a business that sells a product or service, or promotes an event. The SSX is a culminating project that will take up the majority of the third term, and participation in the project is an essential component to the course.
Students are encouraged to adopt a positive attitude towards language and culture and to acquire a mastery of written and spoken French. They are encouraged to reflect on language and become aware of its role in learning, structuring their thoughts and developing their imagination. They are invited to discover the pleasure of mastering the French language and to understand the cultures it conveys in order to better situate themselves in the linguistic and cultural diversity of the contemporary world.
In high school, students learn to pay increasing attention to the interaction between the various communication elements of a situation and their impact on the meaning of texts. They increase their understanding of the intention behind texts they hear, read or watch, which helps them understand the meaning. They also learn to communicate their message effectively in a framework of authentic, varied and meaningful communication situations.
In high school, students deepen the skills acquired previously, and develop further knowledge of the language, learning in increasingly varied contexts where they must demonstrate increasing autonomy. In addition to enriching their vocabulary and their repertoire of cultural symbols through diverse current and literary texts of increasing complexity, they develop their ability to make use of situation-specific knowledge as well as French phonetics and grammar. They also learn to use a system that allows them to develop their skills in French and their competencies by interacting, reading or writing texts in that language.
Cultural, Social & Technical Option (CST): This course explores five main areas. First, students practice optimization techniques, using them to maximize or minimize solutions to linear systems of inequalities. Next, in their study of geometry and graphs, students will analyze and optimize situations involving figures and graphs. Students will also investigate financial mathematics. In their study of probability, students analyze probability data and make decisions concerning social choices. Lastly, students consider different voting procedures.
Science Option: The algebra component of this course has students further their study of functions by examining the absolute value, square root, rational, exponential, logarithmic, sinusoidal and piecewise functions. Students will also look at systems of first-degree inequalities and systems of second-degree equations. The geometry component focuses on analytic geometry, examining the unit circle and trigonometric identities, vectors, and conics.
Calculus: This course is designed to develop the topics of differential calculus. Emphasis is placed on limits, continuity, derivatives, curve sketching, and applications of differential calculus to real-world problem areas. Upon completion, students should be able to select and use appropriate techniques for finding solutions to derivative-related problems.
This course supports academic skills, social emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health of the students. It examines good decision-making and includes appropriate topics for all grade levels.
In Secondary V, PD offers workshops focusing on resume and cover letter writing, career exploration, post secondary choices, contraception, sexual health, drugs and alcohol, and more.
Students will learn the fundamental skills, strategies and regulations involved in a variety of sports, games and activities. Students will learn about adopting a healthy and active lifestyle through ongoing health activities, assignments and discussions. The health focus for the year will be “Nutrition”.
Art & Electives
Students in Secondary V may choose one of the following Arts courses,
and two elective courses.
Arts Courses
In Secondary V, emphasis is placed on furthering the development of each student’s individual skills. Concentration is on good drawing skills, knowledge of colour design, and the exploration of three-dimensional media such as clay. By the end of the programme, each student is required to have a portfolio representing her best work. The subject of the art history portion of the programme is Art from early 20th c. to today.
This course is designed for students who wish to further their studies in the learning of drama skills and techniques and theatrical genres. Although an asset, prior drama experience is not required. Class lessons will be devoted to enhancing focus and concentration, vocal techniques, stage presence, leadership as well as a review of drama and theatrical techniques. Various theatre genres as well as the components of theatre production including set, costume and lighting design, stage management and direction will be explored. Such skills will be used both on and off the stage by creating, performing and appreciating monologues, dialogues, improvisations and dramatic scenes.
This course is designed for students who wish to further their studies of instrumental music in a concert band setting, although prior instrumental experience is not required. There will be an emphasis on the most advanced instrumental techniques as students master individual and ensemble sound, intonation, sight reading and musical expression. Students will develop their individual technique and musicianship through rehearsals, individual practice, music theory, music history, and analytic listening. Particular attention will be given to developing the ensemble sound and greater leadership roles within the ensemble will be given. Students in Instrumental Music V join the Concert Band for rehearsals and competition trips.
Elective courses
The AP English course is a study of literature that will enable students to carefully read and critically analyze imaginative literature. Through small class discussion and the close reading of texts from different periods and genres, students will become aware of the ways writers use language to bring both meaning and pleasure to readers.
AP European History is a college-level course that is structured around the investigation of five course themes within various chronological periods from the Renaissance to the present. During the year, students will be provided with the opportunity to examine primary sources: such as documentary material, pictorial and graphic materials, maps, political cartoons, and works of art that complement each unit of study. In addition, students will be provided with exposure to both factual narrative and to the interpretations of European history from the perspectives of a variety of different writers and historians.
Requires an average of at least 85% in Sec. IV Math & Science. Considerations may apply.
Chemistry is a demanding course designed to prepare students for CEGEP level programs such as health science and pure and applied science. In chemistry, we deal with properties of matter, composition and reactions. Students build upon and elaborate on knowledge acquired in earlier science courses.
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to meet all writing challenges in their post-secondary education. They will learn to work out their own most efficient writing process through the practice of organizational strategies, multiple drafts and editing. All classes will be in the media center where students will work on current assignments and benefit from individual and peer feedback
More than ever before in human history there needs to be action towards building a better future and designing solutions to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems. This course aims to build the skills needed for being agents of change. It explores the United Nations 17 sustainable goals, design thinking, business model canvas, social entrepreneurship as well as self exploration. Students will learn how to be positive change makers and build sustainable businesses. A journey of discovery, innovation, design and creativity await!
Introduction to Psychology will be a fascinating course focusing on the scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. You will learn about influences on human behavior from birth through adulthood; engage in psychological research blending research methods with personal interest and the school’s population; and gain insight into several psychological disorders and their treatments. There will also be an examination of the many principles and methods of the various schools of psychology, such as the biological, neuroscientific, cognitive, behavioral, sociocultural and psychoanalytic approaches.
Requires an average of at least 80% in Sec. IV Math & Science. Considerations may apply.
This course develops students' understanding of the basic concepts of physics. Students will explore vectors, linear and projectile motion, different types of forces, energy transformations, and the properties of light. They will enhance their scientific investigation skills as they test the different laws of physics.