News

Giving York South-Weston High School Students More Opportunities

May 27, 2010

More York South-Weston high school students will get an academic and career edge with the expansion of the Specialist High School Majors program at local schools this fall.
This specialized secondary school program helps students earn credits towards their diploma, gain sector certifications and focus on future careers through more hands-on learning opportunities and workplace experiences.
In Toronto new majors being offered in 2010-11 at the George Harvey Collegiate Institute and Chaminade College School include: Business, Arts and Culture and Information and Communications Technology.

QUOTES

“I am thrilled that we are providing more hands-on learning opportunities for our high school students. Our Specialist High Skills Major program is one of the initiatives that has helped more than 52,500 additional students graduate since 2004.”
– Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education

“We are helping more York South-Weston students succeed by giving them work experience in their community and opportunities to test drive their career interests while in school.”
— Laura Albanese, MPP for York South-Weston

QUICK FACTS

• In 2010-11, there will be over 1,000 Specialist High Skills Majors programs in more than 530 secondary schools across Ontario – an increase of 260 programs and 100 schools over this school year.

• In 2010-11, there will be 28,000 students enrolled in the Specialist High Skills Majors program across Ontario – an increase of 8,000 students over this school year.
• The Student Success programs have helped raise Ontario’s graduation rate from 68 to 79 per cent in five years.
• There are currently 18 different majors across Ontario. Examples include sports, non-profit, energy, agriculture, aviation and aerospace, and construction.
  
  LEARN MORE
  
  See the complete list of Specialist High Skills Majors available in September 2010.