Academics
Elementary School (Kindergarten – Gr 8)
A Happy Place, Engaged Learning
Every day, your child tries something new. They might perform a grammar rap and generate a device for remembering difficult rules, while discovering new ways to appreciate how language works. No matter what our students try their hands at, they get the chance to arrive at some new realization: that learning is fun, that it’s exciting to brainstorm and solve problems alongside their friends and teachers, and that Maple Leaf is a happy place.
In the Classroom
We believe children learn best when they’re active, stimulated and inspired. Take a tour of our school and you might see students reading textbooks, but more often, you’ll find them debating, collaborating, building and performing. Our teachers know that kids thrive when they’re engaged in the process and when they’re producing work they can easily identify as important and relevant.
Ontario Curriculum:Elementary
Elementary Leadership
The Maple Leaf Elementary students (Grades 4-8) take part in a Leadership program which is run by two Elementary teachers. The students fundraise for various charitable organizations and also organise activities for student in Grades 6-8.
House League
Fostering student connectedness through our House League program is a school wide initiative with students from JK-12. Students are placed into four different houses with each house having House Captains and Faculty advisors. Students can earn points individually as well as for their houses through a variety of activities in any one of the five areas:
Academics
- Merit Award
- Honour Roll
- Award of Excellence
- What’s Your Write
- University of Waterloo – Math Content
Leadership
- Student Council
- House Captains
- Sports’ Referees
- Model UN
Citizenship
- Volunteerism
- Committees
- Model UN
Athletics
- Intramural Sports
- Internal Sports
- School League Sports
Art/Clubs
- Pan Ensemble
- Choir
- Drama
- Environmental
- Art Contests/Displays
Secondary School (Grades 9 – 12)
A Place To Excel
Maple Leaf offers more. More opportunities to gain independence. More chances to learn how to support yourself and others. To find – and to be yourself.
No matter what path you take, be prepared to realize your passions. Maybe you find that you’re zealous about protecting the environment, helping underprivileged youth or creating sculptures. You may discover that getting lost inside a character you’re playing in drama class, a poem you’re writing or in an after school basketball game – is one of the best ways to find out who you really are.
Connect With Your Mentors
At Maple Leaf, our teachers care about their students. They serve as trusted advisors, they help analyse every step and celebrate every success. The best part? Students interact with them in a variety of environments – classrooms, practices, games and house initiatives, which means they build relationships with teachers that are complex, even profound.
Express, Refine, Revise. Envision. Take Risks. Critique. Interpret.
In Maple Leaf’s innovative arts program, students are expected to take risks, make huge strides and surprise themselves. They can develop story-telling skills by improvising with fellow students. Undergo vocal and movement exercises to improve and refine their skills. Explore through song; create original compositions. Learn conventions of dramatic action. Create imaginary worlds. Gain technical mastery and develop independence in thought and action. And realize that there are so many ways to represent what is within them.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Requirements for the OSSD
| Total Credits to Graduate (minimum) | 30 |
| Compulsory Courses Required | 18 |
| Elective Courses Required | 12 |
| Ontario Secondary Literacy Test | Successful Completion |
| Community Involvement Hours Required | 40 Hours |
Credit Definition
A credit is granted when a student has successfully completed at least 110 instructional hours.
Compulsory Credits
| English | 4 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Science | 2 |
| French OR Spanish | 1 |
| Canadian History | 1 |
| Canadian Geography | 1 |
| Arts | 1 |
| Physical Health Education | 1 |
| Civics | 0.5 |
| Career Studies | 0.5 |
3 additional credits, consisting of 1 credit from each of the following groups:
Group 1
- English (Including the Ontario Secondary School Literacy course)
- French as a second language
- Classical Languages
- International Languages
- Native Languages
- Canadian and World Studies
- Native Studies
- Social Sciences and Humanities
- Guidance and Career Education
- Cooperative Education
Group 2
- French as a second language
- The Arts
- Business Studies
- Health and Physical Education
- Cooperative Education
Group 3
- French as a second language
- Science (Grade 11 or 12)
- Computer Studies
- Technological Education
- Cooperative Education
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is the usual method for assessing the literacy skills of students in Ontario for the purpose of determining whether they meet the provincial secondary school literacy requirement for graduation. The test thus identifies students who have demonstrated the required skills in literacy as well as those who have not demonstrated the required skills and will need to do further work. The test identifies the specific areas in which these latter students need remediation.
Community Involvement Requirements (40 hours)
Students entering grade 9 must complete 40 hours of volunteer work as one of the Ministry requirements for their high school diploma. The aim is to encourage students to become actively involved in making positive contributions to their community. Students are encouraged to select many different community involvement activities in consultation with their parents. Selection of activities should take into account the age, maturity and ability of the student, the location and environment of the proposed activity, and the need for any special training, equipment and preparation. The safety of the student is paramount.
Students must complete their community involvement activities while in Grades 9 – 12. The community involvement is completed outside of classroom hours, and may not be paid employment. Students can begin accumulating their hours during the summer prior to entering Grade 9.
Students are encouraged to complete the 40 hours of community involvement as early as possible in high school ideally by the end of Grade 10. Ministry guidelines have established eligible and ineligible activities for the community involvement requirement. Students and parents must follow these guidelines.
Cooperative Education
Cooperative education is a program which places senior students into a working environment to give them real world, hands-on experience in a job setting. Students work for 220 hours for 2 periods in the schedule for 2 credits. Cooperative credits are linked to the courses the student is taking, to allow transfer between the classroom and a job. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to the job site. Evaluation is a combination of the cooperative education teacher and the placement supervisor.
Visit these links for more information:
- Ontario Curriculum: Secondary
- Growing Success Document – Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools
- Secondary School Course Calendar
Guidance & Student Support
Maple Leaf International School has a full-time Guidance and Student Success Counsellor who provides a range of exclusive career services to students and parents including:
- Academic, Personal and Career Counselling
- Annual Hosting of University/College Fair
- Facilitate student use of myBlueprint Educational Planner which will:
- Help students develop specific education plans and correct annual course selection choices based on various university/college entry requirements
- Assist students with aptitude surveys: personality, learning styles, knowledge, interests, motivation and compatibility testing
- Assist students with their research and selection of universities that best meet students’ individual academic strengths, interests, and career goals
- Guide students through the College/University Application process
- Help students apply to their selected universities, ensuring that all the required documents are appropriately completed and submitted on time
- Assist students with scholarship application
- Upon student request, provide a Letter of Recommendation from the Principal
- Advocate on behalf of students with admission officers, registrars, or faculty deans
- Assist students in writing their personal statement letters for admission to university
Student Council/Leadership
The Maple Leaf Student Council is comprised of secondary students who are elected by their peers and hold office for a full academic year. The Student Council is responsible for the raising of student spirit through the organizing of various activities throughout the school years such as:
- Intramural Competitions
- Hallowfest
- Various Fund Raisers
- Candygrams
- School Spirit Days
House League
Fostering student connectedness through our House League program is a school wide initiative with students from JK-12. Students are placed into four different houses with each house having House Captains and Faculty advisors. Students can earn points individually as well as for their houses through a variety of activities in any one of the five areas:
Academics
- Merit Award
- Honour Roll
- Award of Excellence
- What’s Your Write
- University of Waterloo – Math Contest
Leadership
- Student Council
- House Captains
- Sports’ Referees
- Model UN
Citizenship
- Volunteerism
- Committees
- Model UN
Athletics
- Intramural Sports
- Internal Sports
- School League Sports
Art/Clubs
- Pan Ensemble
- Choir
- Drama
- Environmental
- Art Contests/Displays
Model United Nations
For many years Maple Leaf has been represented by a group of students at the Model United Nations which takes place in Montreal or Toronto, Canada.