course developed for Grade 9 (Senior 1)

course developed for Grade 10 (Senior 2)

course developed for Grade 11 (Senior 3)

course developed for Grade 12 (Senior 4)

course developed or approved by the Department for 1 credit

course developed or approved by the Department for ½ credit

course developed by a school/division/district and registered by the Department (School-initiated Course [SIC] or Student-initiated Project [SIP])

course developed elsewhere and approved or registered by the Department (e.g., university, out-of-country)

Foundation courses provide broadly based learning experiences appropriate for all students. They may lead to further studies beyond the Senior Years (e.g., apprenticeship, college, university). Most Grade 9 (Senior 1) and Grade 10 (Senior 2) compulsory courses developed by the Department are designated as F.

Specialized courses provide experiences in specialized areas leading to further studies beyond the Senior Years (e.g., apprenticeship, college, university).

Most Grade 9 (Senior 1) and Grade 10 (Senior 2) compulsory courses developed by the Department are designated as Foundation courses, while those in Grade 11 (Senior 3) and Grade 12 (Senior 4) are Specialized. The exception to this is the Senior 2 mathematics courses, which all have the S designation.

Optional courses are developed at the school/division/district level to address local needs and interests. A course may be a School-initiated Course (SIC) or a Student-initiated Project (SIP), and may be designed for 1 credit or ½ credit. The course outline is reviewed by the Department and assigned a Department code for reporting of student marks.

Note: A few Department courses still are designated G or Generalized (e.g., Grade 10 (Senior 2) Physical Education/Health Education [20G]). This designation will be phased out as new curricula are introduced and will be replaced with a Foundation or Specialized designation. The G course designation is now reserved for courses developed by schools/divisions/districts, as described above.

English As a Second Language courses are designed to assist students for whom English is not a first language in making a transition into the English Program. An Individual Education Plan is required for each student.

Modified courses are intended for students with specific cognitive disabilities. The M course designation indicates the learning outcomes in the provincial curriculum have been modified by 50 percent or more to take into account the learning requirements of the student. An Individual Education Plan is required for each student.

Individualized courses are intended for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The courses are developmentally and age appropriate and highly individualized to take into account the learning requirements of the student. An Individual Education Plan is required for each student.

College-based courses are developed by a college and can be used for dual credits (credit at Grade 11 (Senior 3) and Grade 12 (Senior 4)) and for the first year of college.

University-based courses are developed by a university and can be used for dual credits (credit at Grade 12 (Senior 4), and, in some cases, Grade 11 (Senior 3)) for graduation purposes and also for the first year of university.