Course Selection Recommendations
Planning your high school program requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Please take some time to talk to one of our guidance counselors in the Student Services Area. A short visit with a guidance counselor early in your high school years can save a great deal of time and trouble and prevent you from having to take unnecessary courses.
- Students preparing for Post-Secondary after graduation should consider taking Pre-Calculus or Applied Math and Science (Physics, Biology and Chemistry) throughout high School, as it provides more opportunities in University.
- Students must have five grade 11 AND five grade 12 courses to graduate, but the student must ensure that those are the right courses for employment or post-secondary. Students should consider taking additional 40S courses. Physical Education 40F is required for graduation but is not necessarily recognized for entrance into post-secondary.
- Entrance scholarships and entrance into specific faculties within universities are usually awarded based on a SET LIST of approved 40S courses, not just an overall grade point average. Each institution has their own set of rules and regulations. For example, two English 40S courses can be used for entrance scholarships.
- Certain employers require specific courses or skills. Ensure that you have taken the required courses and have developed your skills and competencies. For example, Manitoba Hydro will hire high school grads for some positions if they have Pre-Calculus 40S and Physics 40S.
- For those who wish to pursue a skilled trade by becoming an apprentice, be aware that each trade may have its own requirements, which may include Pre-Calculus 40S, Applied Math 40S, Biology 40S, Chemistry 40S or Physics 40S.
- You can get a head start on your apprenticeship during high school with the High School Apprenticeship Program option. This program allows students to work for an employer, in an apprentice able trade, while earning pay and credits. Ask our Guidance counselors for assistance. Ask to speak with our High School Apprenticeship teacher.
- If you are leaning towards a career path but would like an opportunity to see what it’s all about before you commit time and money towards that career, you could take some of the guess work out by accumulating work hours in a given profession. Check out the Career Exploration credit options.
Applied Commerce Education (Earn 2 Provincial Diplomas)
Students completing ACE courses have the option to graduate with an Academic Diploma and an additional Technical Diploma in the area of Applied Commerce Education. To complete this diploma, students must:
Here is a list of all the courses within each of the strands – the circled courses are offered at GVC.
- Acquire at least 30 credits
- Complete all compulsory courses
- Complete eight approved ACE credits (must include two 30S courses and two 40S courses)
- Complete five grade 12 credits, which include one required English credit plus one Math credit
- Participate in a grad status interview with a student services counsellor
- Finance strand (which focuses on personal finances, accounting and economics)
- Entrepreneurship strand (which focuses on entrepreneurship, and the development and management of business)
- Commerce strand (which focuses on promotions, retailing, marketing and e-commerce)
- Technologies, Topics and Trends strand (which focuses on business communications, technology, topic and trends)
Here is a list of all the courses within each of the strands – the circled courses are offered at GVC.
Fine Arts Acknowledgement of Specialization
Students can qualify to receive a Fine Arts Acknowledgement of Specialization, printed on their GVC diploma, by completing the requirements listed below. It is the responsibility of the student to track how many of these courses they have completed and to apply to the Fine Arts Department Head before May 30th of their graduation year.
Students must complete a minimum of 8 credits which must include at least two courses from at least two different Fine Arts clusters listed below:
Students must complete a minimum of 8 credits which must include at least two courses from at least two different Fine Arts clusters listed below:
