High School
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
Welcome to the Wise Owl Secondary School for the 2022-2023 school year. Wise Owl is a multicultural school with bright and creative students, skilled and talented teachers, a welcoming and ambitious community. Together, we make Wise Owl a special place for everyone to learn and a place to work.
As the new school year approaches, it is important for everyone to take the time to familiarize themselves with the Highschool handbook, which outlines our expectations for the Wise Owl community. It includes all the policies, student services offered, academic, student life and so much more. Respect for oneself, for others and property are all crucial to maintaining the positive culture established at our school. We all share the responsibility in maintaining these high standards and adhering to protocols to keep our school community, a safe and healthy environment for everyone to learn, teach and grow.
One of the most pivotal times in a student’s life as they grow up is their transition from middle school to high school. As a high school student, you will undergo many more changes throughout your years at Wise Owl. You will make new friends, meet new teachers, gain new knowledge and being given a variety of opportunities. Get involved! This is YOUR SCHOOL. Wise Owl offers many exciting academic and extra-curricular opportunities for our students. We encourage you to take advantage of all Wise Owl has to offer and face all the challenges you encounter with courage and confidence.
To our families, we are delighted to create a partnership with you to ensure students reach their full potential or even beyond. My door is always open, and I welcome your input, feedback! I look forward to a successful school year with Wise Owl students and their families
Sincerely,
Natalia Galinskaya
Vision Statement
“Wise Owl is dedicated to providing an educational, safe and enrichening that fosters the uniqueness of each student, gives them an opportunity to channel their inner creativity & personality and guide, motivate them to become resilient, emotionally support, responsible, respectful global citizens.”
Mission Statement
Wise Owl challenges students to achieve academic excellence and prepares them to be critical, curious, passionate thinkers, global citizens so they can thrive in academics, arts, and athletics.
Student’s Learner Profile
Academics
The High School curriculum is designed to ensure students exceed and meet the Ministry of Education expectations in the following subjects: English, French, Math, Science, Business, Social Studies, Global studies, Physical Education, and the Arts, while providing students opportunities to channel their inner creativity, personality, and guide, motivate them to become balanced, resilient, inclusive, emotionally supportive, responsible, passionate, and respectful global citizens.
Grade 9:
ESLBO (English as Second Language)
This course is designed to extend student’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English for academic and everyday purposes. Students will have the opportunity to participate in structured situational conversations on various topics, read a variety of texts designed for English language learners, build on their knowledge on English grammatical structures and sentence patterns.
MTH1W (Mathematics, De-streamed)
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to further develop their understanding of mathematical concepts related to number sense & operation, Algebra, measurement, geometry, data, probability, and financial literacy. In addition, by the end of this course, students will be able to apply their knowledge of these concepts to real-world situations.
SNC1W (Science, de-streamed)
This course allows students to further their understanding of concepts related to biology, chemistry, physics, and earth & space science and to connect science to technology, society, and the environment. Students will also develop and refine their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills through conducting scientific research, experimentation, and engineering design processes to investigate concepts and apply their knowledge to the real-world
CGC1D (Issues in Canadian Geography)
This course is designed in a way where students will examine interrelationships within and between Canada’s natural and human systems & how these systems interconnect with those in other parts of the world. Students will explore environmental economic and social geographic issues relating to specific topics (i.e., transportation options, energy choices and urban development). Students will investigate various geographic issues and develop possible approaches for making Canada a more sustainable place to live through applying their geographic thinking and inquiry process.
FSF1D (Core French)
This course provides opportunities for students to communicate and interact with increasing confidence in French, with a focus on familiar topics related to their everyday lives. Students will acquire a strong oral foundation in French language and will be able to communicate in French fluently. Moreover, they will learn to appreciate and acknowledge the diversity of Canadian and global studies. Lastly, students will develop a high degree of problem-solving skills, a greater awareness of global issues and become active and engaged citizens in today’s bilingual and multicultural Canadian society and global community.
BTT1O (Information and Technology in Business)
This course introduces students to information and communication technology in a business environment and allows them to build foundational skills related to digital literacy necessary for success in a technologically driven world. Students will be given the opportunity to develop word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, presentation software and website design skills.
BBI1O (Introduction to Business)
This course gives students the opportunity to develop their own short and long term goals to guide their Financial Planning and Money Management building skills, learn how to use appropriate business language to describe/evaluate business structures, opportunities and ethics in local and international settings, explore the importance of all the major areas of running a business, as well as view challenges as opportunities and use their entrepreneurial traits and skills to develop an idea into a business concept
PPL1O (Physical Education)
This course is designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge of making healthy choices in their lives now and in the future. Through participation, students will learn movement, skills and principles, ways of improving personal fitness and physical competence and safety and injury prevention. They will investigate the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
AV11O (Visual Art)
This course gives students the opportunity to develop their skills in producing and presenting art through artistic exploration and experimentation. Throughout this course, students expand their creativity through applying various design elements and principles they’ve learned in class and learn to critically reflect on and interpret art from a personal, contemporary, and historical context.
AMU1O (Music)
This course gives students the opportunity to develop their skills in producing and presenting art through artistic exploration and experimentation. Throughout this course, students expand their creativity through applying various design elements and principles they’ve learned in class and learn to critically reflect on and interpret art from a personal, contemporary, and historical context.
Grade 10:
ESLBO (English as Second Language)
This course is designed to extend student’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English for academic and everyday purposes. Students will have the opportunity to participate in structured situational conversations on various topics, read a variety of texts designed for English language learners, build on their knowledge on English grammatical structures and sentence patterns.
MPM2D (Mathematics, Grade 10)
This course gives students the opportunity to broaden their understanding of quadratic relations and their applications, linear systems, analytic geometry, and trigonometry of right and acute triangles. Students will demonstrate critical mathematical thinking through solving multi-step problems.
SNC2D (Science, Grade 10)
This course allows students to enhance their understanding of concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics and the relations between science, technology, society, and the environment. In addition, students can further develop their scientific investigation skills. They will plan and conduct investigations and develop understanding of scientific theories related to the plant and animal cell systems, chemical reactions (focused on acid-base reactions), forces affecting climate and climate change, and light vs. matter.
CGC1D (Canadian History since World War I)
This course is designed in a way where students will explore the impact social, economic, and political development and events have on the lives of different groups in Canada since 1914. Students also could examine the role of conflict and cooperation in Canadian society, the country’s evolving role within the global community and the impact of various individuals, organizations and events on Canadian identity, citizenship, and heritage. Lastly, students will develop historical thinking and inquiry processes as they investigate key issues and events in Canadian history since 1914.
GLC2O (Career Studies)
This course provides students with the opportunity to hone their skills, knowledge, and habits, supporting themselves in their education and career/life planning. Students will learn about global work trends and expand and strengthen their transferable skills through seeking opportunities within the school and their community. Students will also learn how to adapt to the changing world of work. They will make connections between their skills, interests and values and their post-secondary options (i.e., apprenticeship training, college, community living, university, or workplace) based on exploration, reflective practice and decision-making processes. Students will learn to set their personal goals and create a plan for their first post-secondary year. In preparation for their future, they will learn about personal financial management (i.e., variety of saving and borrowing tools available and how to use them to their advantage) and develop a budget for their first year of post-secondary.
BBI2O (Introduction to Business)
This course gives students the opportunity to develop their own short and long term goals to guide their Financial Planning and Money Management building skills, learn how to use appropriate business language to describe/evaluate business structures, opportunities and ethics in local and international settings, explore the importance of all the major areas of running a business, as well as view challenges as opportunities and use their entrepreneurial traits and skills to develop an idea into a business concept
BTT2O (Information and Technology in Business)
This course introduces students to information and communication technology in a business environment and allows them to build foundational skills related to digital literacy necessary for success in a technologically driven world. Students will be given the opportunity to develop word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, presentation software and website design skills.
CHV2O (Civics and Citizenship)
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the rights and responsibilities associated with being an active citizen in a democratic society. Students will explore issues related to civic importance such as healthy schools, community planning, environmental responsibility, and the influence of social media, and develop an understanding of the role civic engagement and political processes play in the local, national and global community. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate, and express informed opinions about, a range of political issues and developments that are both of significance in today’s world and of personal interest to them.
PPL2O (Physical Education)
This course is designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge of making healthy choices in their lives now and in the future. Through participation, students will learn movement, skills and principles, ways of improving personal fitness and physical competence and safety and injury prevention. They will investigate the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Wise Owl Private School believes that it is imperative to have a healthy body, healthy mind. Physical Education is an important part of the Wise Owl Secondary School curriculum, classes are offered to all students through Grade 10. Through the classes, students can develop their abilities and skills to live an active and healthy life knowledgeably, responsibility and vigorously.
Along with other core subjects, the arts are an important part of the Wise Owl Private School curriculum and experience through fostering confidence and creativity of our students. In high school, students are provided with an opportunity to express themselves through various art forms, to hone their artistic skills and acquire all the developmental benefits that the quality arts program offers at Wise Owl Private School.
Performing Arts
Wise Owl Private School students will continue their music journey with a more in depth look at various compositions by various composers and explore the forms, styles, and functions of music from a wide range of historical and socio-cultural backgrounds. Students will have the opportunity to create, participate in and reflect upon music through their own musical background and those of others. Lastly, students will expand their creativity through applying various design elements and principles they’ve learned in class.
Visual Arts
All students at Wise Owl Private school participates in visual arts. At every level, our students are provided with the opportunity to create individual art pieces while developing divergent thinking and analytical thinking skills. They will explore the elements of arts and the principles of design, understand how the characteristics of various art works, basic colour terminology, and various artistic techniques. Lastly, they will be able to create portraits, graphic art, printmaking, painting, and so much more for self-expression and show an appreciation for the expressive and aesthetic diversity in the world around them.

4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)

1 credit in the Arts

1 credit in Canadian Geography

0.5 credit in Civics

0.5 Credit in Career Studies

2 credits in science

3 Credits in Mathematics (1 credit in Grade 11 or 13)

1 credit in Health and Physical Education

1 credit in Canadian History

1 credit in French as a Second Language
Plus, one credit from each of the following groups:
Group 1:
- English or French as a Second Language
- A Native Language
- A Classical or an International Language
- Social Sciences and the Humanities
- Canadian and World Studies
- Guidance and Career Education
- Cooperative Education
Group 2:
- Health and Physical Education
- The Arts
- Business Studies
- Cooperative Education
Group 3:
- Science (Grade 11 or 12)
- Technological Education
- French as a Second Language
- Computer Studies
- Cooperative Education
- 12 optional Credits
- Students must earn 12 optional credits by successfully completing courses offered in their school’s program and course calendar.
- Optional credits may include up to four credits earned through approved dual credit programs.
- OSSLT
- The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9.
- Successful completion of the literacy test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
- Students who do not successfully complete the OSSLT have other opportunities to meet the literacy graduation requirement. Students can contact their school principal to find out about these options.
- Community involvement
- The community involvement requirement is designed to provide students the opportunity to understand what civic responsibility is, what it means to actively support their communities, learn more about themselves and discover potential career opportunities. Students can start accumulating their community involvement hours in the summer before Grade 9. More information can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/high-school-graduation-requirements
- A total of 40 hours of community hours is required
Graduation Requirements

4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)

1 credit in the Arts

1 credit in Canadian Geography

0.5 credit in Civics

0.5 Credit in Career Studies

2 credits in science

3 Credits in Mathematics (1 credit in Grade 11 or 13)

1 credit in Health and Physical Education

1 credit in Canadian History

1 credit in French as a Second Language
Plus, one credit from each of the following groups:
Group 1:
- English or French as a Second Language
- A Native Language
- A Classical or an International Language
- Social Sciences and the Humanities
- Canadian and World Studies
- Guidance and Career Education
- Cooperative Education
Group 2:
- Health and Physical Education
- The Arts
- Business Studies
- Cooperative Education
Group 3:
- Science (Grade 11 or 12)
- Technological Education
- French as a Second Language
- Computer Studies
- Cooperative Education
- 12 optional Credits
- Students must earn 12 optional credits by successfully completing courses offered in their school’s program and course calendar.
- Optional credits may include up to four credits earned through approved dual credit programs.
- OSSLT
- The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9.
- Successful completion of the literacy test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
- Students who do not successfully complete the OSSLT have other opportunities to meet the literacy graduation requirement. Students can contact their school principal to find out about these options.
- Community involvement
- The community involvement requirement is designed to provide students the opportunity to understand what civic responsibility is, what it means to actively support their communities, learn more about themselves and discover potential career opportunities. Students can start accumulating their community involvement hours in the summer before Grade 9. More information can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/high-school-graduation-requirements
- A total of 40 hours of community hours is required