Grade 9 students are no longer divided into Academic and Applied streams. Teachers access revised Ministry curricula that are framed around inclusive teaching and learning practices that are designed to address the harms of streaming. These courses have a fifth character of “W” (e.g. ENL 1W (English) and MTH 1W (Math)).

WRDSB has extended de-streaming into Grade 10 to ensure students have all the opportunities for learning they deserve. In Grade 10, these single streamed courses mean student access courses from the Academic stream. Teachers use the same inclusive teaching and learning practices to engage all students in being successful. These courses have a fifth character of “D” (e.g. ENG 2D (English) and MPM 2D (Math)).

Yes. Our goal is to provide high-quality education to all students. The research shows that all students benefit when they learn together in a mixed group that also ensures individual support. The new Grade 9 courses and single streamed Grade 10 courses will continue to hold high expectations for learning, offer opportunities to extend thinking, and develop students’ critical thinking. Students that need extra support beyond the classroom will all have access to student success teachers, intervention support, and special education accommodations.

Our educators understand that every student is at a different stage in their personal learning journey, and they design instructional and assessment opportunities with these differences in mind.

Yes. Learning activities in de-streamed classes are designed to meet students where they are while providing multiple opportunities to progress along their individual learning journeys.

Educators will continue to be the primary source of support. However, classroom teachers will work in partnership with special education teachers, student success teachers, educational assistants, and other education workers to ensure all students have access to the supports they need to be successful.

Students who take de-streamed courses in Grade 9 and 10 will have the opportunity to pursue all post-secondary options after secondary school, including apprenticeship, college, university or the workplace.

Specialized post-secondary preparation courses are offered beginning in Grade 11 and 12.

The de-streaming of the Grade 9 curriculum was the first step towards further de-streaming in other curriculum areas, which will better support all students in having every opportunity to pursue the pathway of their choice after their K-12 education. As a result of our commitment to all students having access to all the course options in Grade 11, Grade 10 core courses will also be only at the Academic level.

While we do not yet know what other courses and curriculum may additionally be changed by the Ministry of Education, rest assured that we will communicate those changes to our students, family and school communities as they occur.

The course curriculum is available for educators, parents and families on the Ontario Curriculum and Resources website.