Our Science Department´s highly qualified and competent staff invite our students to join us on a learning adventure based on both the traditional and frontier areas of modern science. Enriching activities, challenging lab-based units, and modern audiovisual/computer assisted modules provide ample opportunities for students to excel in any of the subjects. Our varied evaluation techniques are tailored to meet individual student learning styles. We welcome all!
Mathematics Math students at West Carleton have consistently scored highly in provincial EQAO testing in recent years. Our team of caring, professional Mathematics teachers provide the skill and energy to support students at all levels to find success. With the addition of SmartBoards in every Math classroom, our teachers and students now have the best resources to help them continue to shine.
English On the recent boardwide exams at the senior level, students from West Carleton have consistently placed in the top three of all the secondary schools in the OCDSB. This high success rate is based on the excellent full English program offered at all levels. Students also have the opportunity to explore the key concepts of media, advertising, film, television and popular culture by choosing the EMS30 course in media studies. Writers Craft, EWC 4U, is intended for students who have a strong interest in writing in the future. Those who plan on entering a field of study requiring strong writing skills should also consider this option.
Technological Studies The Technological Studies Department offers exciting and relevant programs in the areas of Communication Technology, Construction Technology, and Transportation Technology, providing students with the opportunity to explore the many challenges of the ever changing world in which we live and work. Check out our full-semester 4 credit House Building Course.
Business Our grade 9 Information Technology (BTT10) students had an exciting opportunity as West Carleton Secondary School became the first school in the OCDSB to offer a laptop to its BTT1O students instead of a textbook. With these wirelessly connected tools available to BTT1O students at school and at home for the semester, our students took learning to new levels. West Carleton also offers many other Business courses (Introduction to Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Accounting) to support students´ interests. Students who complete six business courses with a 80% average can earn a Business Certificate to complement their Graduation Diploma.
Co-op Education Cooperative Education is a work-education program for which students receive credits. The program promotes skill development, career development and self-awareness by integrating classroom learning with supervised work experiences in a business, an industry or a community service organization. The goals of Cooperative Education are:
to better prepare students for careers,
to help students better understand classroom learning through practical applications in life situations,
to develop in students an understanding of employers´ expectations in real job situations,
to increase students´ motivation,
to help students develop appropriate plans for post-secondary employment and education,
to develop in each student a positive self-image,
to help students develop and reinforce marketable skills,
to help students better understand and appreciate the world of work, and to help students discover their true interests, abilities and aptitudes.
Geography Relevance and practical applications make geographic studies at West Carleton useful and interesting. Courses focus on Physical Geography, the Geography of Natural Disasters, Environmental Studies, Travel and Tourism, and World Issues. All courses prepare students with a foundation for being a citizen of the global market. A variety of field trips are offered to students to compliment their learning experiences.
History Events, forces, and issues facing Canadians today are examined in an historical context. Courses in Canadian, American, and Ancient Civilizations, as well as Sociology and Economics are currently offered. Experiencing history is an important part of the courses, so field trips are planned to compliment the curriculum.
Modern Languages West Carleton offers four levels of instruction in French - FSF (core French - applied and academic); FEF (extended French intended for late immersion students); FIF (immersion French). An immersion certificate requires 10 credits and an extended certificate needs 7. Also available is a course in beginners´ Spanish (LWS) which may be chosen by grade 10 and 11 students.
The Arts Visual Arts Our arts program examines not only painting and drawing, creating and sculpting, but also the history and essence of art itself.
Dramatic Arts The drama program is exceptional. We examine scripting, improvisation, serious and comedic acting and role playing. The O.A.C. class presents an anthology dealing with a concern or social issue which is derived by the participants in the course.
Music Our music program enjoys both band classes and guitar classes with many opportunities for students to be involved in extra-curricular activities such as coffee houses, jazz band, concert band and special musical performances.
Dance Our dance program takes advantage of a beautiful studio and outstanding teachers to provide a stellar program to all our students. Students learn a variety of dance techniques and each semester their learning and success is showcased in the very popular dance shows. Senior dance students can take advantage of the dance trip to Toronto to receive workshops from top professional dancers and choreographers.
Physical Education WCSS runs a large number of courses that meet the needs of our students. Students may participate in a regular gym setting as well as in our very popular Outdoor Education courses. All students have a chance at our own climbing wall and ropes course. Our Athletics Association runs a lunchtime intramural activity everyday for all students at West Carleton. They also plan pep rallies and special sports days. After school hours are devoted to a variety of interscholastic sports that strive for excellence at the Carleton Board level.
West Carleton is proud to be the only school in the OCDSB to offer a Police Services and Fire Protection course. This course includes many presentations and instruction from emergency services professionals to give our students an exciting look at careers in police, fire, and other emergency services.
Family Studies Courses focus on foods, lifestyles, multi-culturalism, survival skills, entertaining, fashion, budgeting, child development, psychology, sociology, the dynamics of communication, and peer support strategies.
Yearbook Offered in grade 11 the yearbook course is a unique interdisciplinary course which combines curriculum material from the Arts, Technology and English disciplines to create award-winning yearbooks.
Students are involved in all aspects of yearbook production including writing, photography, design and marketing.
