Grade 12 – Current Students

This information is intended for  Grade 11 ESBCHS students enrolling in Grade 12 for 2024-2025

Students going into grade 12 can book an appointment with their counsellor if they would like guidance on which courses to choose. Students should print off a course planner as it is easier to accurately transfer your choices from the form to the online portal.

Grade 12 Course Selections – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum number of credits that I have to take in Grade 12?

• Grade 12 students must register in a minimum of 30 credits. If you are not on track to have earned 75 credits in total for your Grade 10 & Grade 11 years, you should request at least 35 credits for Grade 12.

How can I be sure I am meeting all requirements for a High School Diploma?

• High School diploma requirements and Certificate of Achievement requirements are explained in detail in our Student Information & Registration Handbook.
• Grade 12 students require 10 credits at the 30-level credits in addition to English and Social. This can include math or science courses, CTS, fine arts, languages, physical education and any other 30-level courses.
  • If you did not complete CALM and/or Phys Ed 10 in Grade 10 or 11 and are not currently registered for those courses, or if you are failing either of those courses, you must select them for Grade 12. These are required courses for graduation.

Are High School Diploma requirements the same as post-secondary requirements?

• No, they are not. Post-Secondary requirements for entrance into specific programs may have different criteria than course required for High School Graduation. Students are encouraged to research programs to find out the specific course requirements for post-secondary entrance into their program of choice.

What are Scheduling Blocks and why are courses worth 3-credits, 5-credits or 10-credits?

• The high school timetable can accommodate up to 16 scheduling blocks based on four blocks per day, a two-day rotation and two semesters. Instrumental Music and Musical Theatre do not count in the scheduling blocks as they run outside the regular school day.
• A full timetable of 16 scheduling blocks means the student has no spares.
• Courses are scheduled based on how many credits they are worth. Students must tally credits on their course planner and also count the scheduling blocks to ensure they are not requesting more courses than a 4 block per semester timetable can accommodate.
  • 3 credit classes are every second day for one semester (Day 1 or Day 2) and count for 1 scheduling block.
  • 5 credit classes are every day for one semester (both Day 1 and Day 2) and count as 2 scheduling blocks.
  • 10 credit classes are every day for two consecutive blocks for one semester (both Day 1 and Day 2) and count as 4 scheduling blocks.

What do I need to know about course prerequisites?

• You can only select a course for which you have the recommended prerequisite mark. Prerequisite marks are either a final mark or it can be based on the current Q3 mark for a course you are currently taking. All core courses and most CTS courses, fine arts, languages, physical education and other option courses do have prerequisite courses and marks. Prerequisite courses and marks are shown on the course planners and more detail can be found in the Student Handbook.
• If your mark changes between now and the end of June (up or down from prerequisite), email us at [email protected] so you can be registered in the appropriate course. Do not wait until September as many classes fill up.

What if I am currently failing a core course or failed a core course in Semester 1?

• You can only select a course for which you have the recommended prerequisite mark. If you are failing a course, refer to the Student Handbook for the appropriate course sequencing.
• If you require assistance with choosing the appropriate course sequencing, please email contact Student Services prior to your designated online registration time.
• You may also email [email protected] for assistance.

What if my marks change (up or down) and I need or want to choose a different stream?

• For example, you had 48% in Biology 20 when you registered online and therefore could not choose Biology 30 as the recommended prerequisite mark is 60% but by June your mark has improved to 61%, you now qualify to select Biology 30.
• At the end of June, once your marks are finalized, email [email protected] with your name, the course you want and your new mark and Student Services will try to make the necessary change to your course requests. Do not wait until fall to request a change, as many courses will fill up.

Can I take a 20-level & 30-level course in the same course sequence?

• If you choose to request both a 20-level and 30-level of a particular subject, you must verify that the 20-level course has been scheduled in your semester 1 timetable and the 30-level courses in the same sequence is in semester 2. For example, if you choose to retake Math 20-1 and also request Math 30-1, you must verify that Math 20-1 is schedule for semester 1 and Math 30-2 is in semester 2. Student timetables are available for viewing in PowerSchool in late August.

What if I am planning to take a Summer School course this year?

• If you are planning to take a course in summer school in July, you should select it on the front page of your course planner in the section entitled Summer School.
• NOTE: Choosing the summer school course on your course planner and on the online registration screen is NOT your Summer School registration. You MUST still register online on the district website (Summer School registration usually opens at the end of April. Please note: you should verify the list of summer school courses being offered on the district website once registration opens.
• If you decide not to go to summer school after having entered the course on your online registration screen, you should contact the school as soon as possible (before the end of June) if you need to add that course to your course requests.

How do I choose Musical Theatre or Technical Theatre this year?

• If you intend to audition for Musical Theatre or wish to apply for Technical Theatre (set design), you will select the applicable course on your course planner and also enter it on the course selection portal on PowerSchool under Fine Arts. There are no credits associated with either course, as you are not guaranteed acceptance until after the auditions or interviews. You will receive more information from the teacher about the audition/interview process later this spring. DO NOT also choose Drama if you are registering in Musical Theatre.

How do I register for my courses?

• The online registration portal will be open starting at 8 am on DATE TO BE DETERMINED and will remain open until 10 pm on DATE TO BE DETERMINED for Grade 11 students choosing their Grade 12 courses. Students will choose their courses online via their PowerSchool portal.
• Assistance will be available at school during each block and each day that the portal is open for students who want help entering their course requests. You can also email [email protected] for assistance anytime.
• Course planners are to be turned into the teacher of the block during which you received the course planner and registration information once you have entered your requests online.