Senior High Course Selection Guide

What are credits?

Credits are awarded for the successful completion of a course (final mark minimum 50%). A 5-credit course represents 125 hours of instruction. A course which is pursued for a full semester is normally worth 5 credits; a course using half this time is awarded 3 credits. Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses are made up of multiple 25 hour 1-credit modules. Credits can be earned only once in any one class or modules.

What are prerequisites?

A prerequisite course is one that must be successfully completed prior to proceeding to the next level of that subject. For example, you must pass English Language Arts 10-1 before taking English Language Arts 20-1.

How are High School courses numbered?

Generally, High School courses are numbered so that:

• Grade 10 classes are designated as “10”, e.g., Social Studies 10-1, Science 10 and Physical Education 10.
• Grade 11 classes are designated as “20”, e.g., English Language Arts 20-1, Chemistry 20 and Art 20.
• Grade 12 classes are designated as “30”, e.g., English Language Arts 30-1, Chemistry 30 and Math 31.

Note: Courses are not always taken in the Grade indicated by the course number; e.g., Biology 20 can be taken in Grade 10.
 

For full details on requirements, visit the Alberta High School Diploma Requirements.

Note: WIC students taking courses outside of Alberta Education curriculum will no longer be recognized for credit as of September 30, 2024. Questions can be directed to the Senior High Principal or Academic & Career Advisor.

Details about the requirements for earning the WIC Bilingual Diploma alongside the Alberta High School Diploma.

The school timetable accommodates up to four courses per semester, with the option to include band as an additional course. All senior high students are encouraged to enroll in a full-time program to make the most of the diverse core and complementary courses offered at WIC.

The academic year at WIC is divided into two semesters:

• Semester 1: September to the end of January
• Semester 2: February to the end of June

All grade 10 students will complete the following 5 requirements towards their high school diploma:

• English Language Arts 10-1
• Social Studies 10-1 (in English or French)
• Mathematics 10C
• Science 10
• Physical Education 10
• Career and Life Management 20

Additionally, French Immersion students will complete French Language Arts 10-1.

Additional Information:

• Students will choose 2-3 electives to complete in grade 10.
• Many WIC students choose to take a grade 11 science course (Biology 20 or Chemistry 20) in their grade 10 year.
• Grade 10 students are required to maintain a full course load of four courses per semester.

With a greater range of course choices, Grade 11 allows students to focus their studies in more specific disciplines. Academic planning becomes important in order to ensure that students complete all of the necessary requirements for graduation and post-secondary entrance. 

All grade 11 students will complete the following requirements towards their high school diploma:

• English Language Arts 20-1
• Social Studies 20-1 (in English or French)
• Mathematics 20-1 or 20-2
• Biology 20, Chemistry 20 or Physics 20 (if not completed in grade 10)

French Immersion students will complete French Language Arts 20-1.

Addiitonal Information:

• Many Grade 11 students take Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2 in the second semester, though this is NOT an expectation.
• Grade 11 is also the first year that WIC students are permitted to register for AP classes.
• Grade 11 students are required to register in a minimum of 7 courses. Exceptions are subject to administrative approval.

Grade 12 students are able to further focus their studies, having fewer required courses to complete and a greater range of elective and AP courses available.

All grade 12 students will complete the following requirements towards their high school diploma:

• English Language Arts 30-1
• Social Studies 30-1 (in English or French)

French Immersion students will complete French Language Arts 30-1.

Addiitonal Info:

• Grade 12 students are expected to register in a minimum of 6 courses. Exceptions are subject to administrative approval.
• Course adjustments will be considered based on available space. Careful course selection is extremely important. Students should meet with the Academic and Career Advisor to determine the best courses to take in their grade 12 year.

Advanced Placement (AP) allows students to pursue university-level studies while still in high school. They are challenging, rigorous, and in-depth, which mimic the types of courses they will take in university.  

Click here for full details.

Dual credit courses at WIC allow senior high students to earn both high school and post-secondary credits simultaneously while helping support them in navigating the shift to post-secondary education. 

Click here for more information.