NOW Post-secondary Possibilities for our Community
A NEW WAY TO MATRICULATE Did you know two of every three Seven Oaks graduates continue their education after graduation? We d like to think that s at least in small part due to the boundless opportunities our high school students receive to prepare for postsecondary education before even donning their cap and gown. Our Beyond Grade 12 Now! program (formerly First Year University Now) offers university and college classes right inside our high schools all within the regular timetable and at no cost. Course selection is designed to jumpstart the journey towards a career and includes offerings from Red River College, Universite de Saint-Boniface, University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg in subject areas from English and Math to Plumbing and Early Childhood Education. That means Seven Oaks students can graduate with a handful of postsecondary course credits and beyond-high-school experiences already in-hand and can move onto university or college with the tools to succeed and go beyond Grade 12 now. So how does it work? Beyond Grade 12 Now! has been so successful in Seven Oaks that the Province of Manitoba just funded a province-wide pilot project so students across Manitoba can get post-secondary experience before high school graduation! Dual credits provide opportunities for high school students to participate in apprenticeship training (Cooperative and Vocational Education and HSAP) and/or post-secondary university or college courses, and earn both high school and post-secondary credits for the same course. Beyond Grade 12 NOW! courses include the same content and rigor as courses taught at Red River College or University of Winnipeg. These courses are co-taught, which means there are two teachers (post-secondary instructor and high school teacher) to support student learning.
FAST FACTS When can students begin Beyond Grade 12 Now! courses? University or college course work can begin in Grade 11. Students must have completed 22 high school credits (maintaining a 70% academic average) or have the permission of their school counsellor to enroll. When are courses offered? First semester (September to January) Second Semester (February to June) Is there a cost for Beyond Grade 12 Now! Courses? No. Course enrolment is free (costs are covered by the Seven Oaks School Division) and represents a significant cost reduction to a student s post-secondary program. Can students withdraw from the course if it s not for them? University or college transcripts will not include courses from which students withdraw two weeks prior to the final exam. GET WITH THE PROGRAM University and college courses offered may include: Calculus English Psychology Applied Computer Science Anatomy & Physiology Accounting Drafting/CAD Broadcasting Psychologié Français Cooperative Vocational Education courses offered include: Aviation Trades & Automotive Trades & Culinary Services Early Childhood Educator Electrical Trades & Health Care Aide Hospitality Services Plumbing & Pipe Trades
WAYFINDERS: ANOTHER WAY TO POST-SECONDARY EXPERIENCES Every kid deserves a chance at education, community and a brighter, better future and our Wayfinders mentorship and outreach program is just another way to ensure kids get that chance. Wayfinders supports students from at-risk communities in their high school journey and provides the encouragement so many need to graduate and make successful transitions to post-secondary experiences. Our dedicated program staff and volunteer mentors help our kids build strong self-image, establish goals, explore career and life interests and learn to give back through community service. Every Wayfinders student receives: A Student Parent Support Worker who works with them and their family as an advocate at school and the program, encouraging them to achieve their academic and life goals Homework support from a network of subject-specific volunteer experts, who work with them to improve achievement and explore new interests Encouragement to invest in themselves through new life experiences Opportunities to participate in activities that give back to and strengthen their own communities $600 per year towards passion and talent development such as arts lessons, athletic equipment or fees, workshops and camps $1000 per year to be held in trust for education/postsecondary expenses after high school graduation To participate in the program our students must commit at least 7 hours per week in both mentorship activities and homework support as well as 40 hours community service. (Our kids participate in everything from community cleanups and barbeques to planting neighbourhood gardens and mentoring younger students!) Wayfinders participants are also required to attend high school classes regularly and maintain a minimum 70% academic average just another stepping stone to successes after graduation.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING Last year I took a Beyond Grade 12 Now! English course. I was so happy to take English because every first year student needs it, no matter what you take in the future. It also gave me the opportunity to experience what professors expect and I realized pretty quickly it s very different than Grade 12 English! This year I am taking Calculus and Human Anatomy and I m so happy to get this chance before I graduate. I chose these classes as a chance to experience if they re something I like before I pick my university courses and pay a lot of money and time. - Chantal Thibert, Grade 12 student NOW Learn more about Beyond Grade 12 Now! at our high school open houses: MET School Wednesday, February 18-6:30 pm Maples Collegiate Tuesday, February 24-6:00 pm Garden City Collegiate Wednesday, February 25-6:30 pm West Kildonan Collegiate Monday, March 2-5:00 pm Seven Oaks School Division 830 Powers Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2V 4E7 Tel: (204) 586-8061 I Fax: (204) 589-2504 www.7oaks.org