Junior High Programme of Study (Building a Solid Foundation)

West Island College offers the students of its Junior School a choice between three programmes of study.

 

1. Continuing French Immersion Studies (7C)
   This curriculum is designed for students who, during their elementary school education, opted for French immersion studies.
   In following this curriculum, students have the opportunity to earn a Bilingual High School Diploma upon graduation.
   Approximately 60% of the instruction in this programme is in French.

 

2. Enriched French Studies (7E)
   This curriculum is designed for students who have pursued English language studies in their years in elementary school.
   French and Social Studies are taught using the second language as the language of instruction. It is anticipated that these students will complete Grade 12 French while in Grade 10.

 

3. Dual Language Option (7D)
   Students in this group take all their courses in English but, have five periods a week of either French or Spanish

 

Core Programme Grades 7- 9
English French/Spanish/F.L.A. Health & Personal Life Skills	Social Studies/Etudes Sociales Physical Education Health and Personal Life Skills	Mathematics/Mathématiques Science/Sciences
Complementary Programme
Grade 7 Art 7 Drama 7 Music & Study Skills Band*	Grade 8 Explorations Design & Animation 8 Improv & Tech Theatre 8 Outdoor Ed. 8 Leadership and Fitness 8 Band*	Grade 9 Art 9 Active Living 9 Drama 9 Junior Achievement 9 Band*

*Denotes classes that occur prior to the first class of the day

Complementary options have been selected with the objective of offering students a complete and comprehensive introduction to disciplines which help to enhance and supplement the Core Programme.

The objective of the Explorations programme is for the junior high students to be introduced to a wide variety of age appropriate learning opportunities that will benefit them both today and later in life. The programme is experiential in nature with a focus on culture, personal development, physical activity and health & wellness. Students in grades 8 & 9 will participate in each of the four activities outlined above, one per term.

Maximum Class Size: 21 (grades 7, 8 & 9)

Senior School (A University Preparatory Curriculum.)

It is our belief that the best way to prepare for the future is to capitalize on the opportunities of the present. With this in mind, West Island College offers an enriched curriculum to all its students during their years in High School. Time is provided during the school day for students to commit themselves to community service, to develop "career opportunities" through guest lectures, job placement opportunities and individual research, and to participate in structured explorations of cultural, academic or personal interests.

As further evidence of the College’s commitment to preparing students for university studies, courses in the Senior School are taught in a semestered system.

Programme of Studies Senior School

*Denotes that the language of instruction is French.

Option courses, which are not prerequisites for post-secondary studies, are taught only if demand guarantees a reasonable class size.
Maximum Class Size: 25

Blended Learning

West Island College is implementing a learning management system which will enable students to access course content and a variety of learning tools in a secure, password protected environment. The Desire2Learn environment is slated for a launch in the upcoming school year, with full implementation in two years. Some students and teachers have already explored the benefits of course materials available “24-7”.

At WIC we believe the relationships created and maintained in the building are central to all that happens at the College. Extending the learning beyond our walls need not alter the relationships or the quality of the learning environment. In fact we can predict these will be enhanced through blended learning. Blended learning is the term used in the educational community to describe learning incorporating both classroom based learning and online learning activities. In many ways this is not new to WIC, our teachers have always sought out those learning resources which would best be suited for their students.

About Desire2Learn

D2L is used in over 450 institutions globally, including universities, colleges, school boards and governments. Here in Alberta the Calgary Board of Education, The Calgary Catholic School District, Edmonton Catholic School District, and Alberta Learning’s Distance Education Centre all use Desire2Learn as their learning management system.