Curriculum Overview

Curriculum and Course Descriptions
Graduation Requirements
Evaluation Policy
Credits
Trafalgar Certificate
Courses Offered 2011-2012
Course Option Forms for 2013-2014
Cross-Curricular Competencies


Curriculum and Course Descriptions

Trafalgar’s curriculum is based on the Regime Pedagogique of Quebec.

In secondary school the curriculum is divided into 2 cycles. Cycle 1 covers the first 2 years (secondary 1 and 2.) The Quebec Ministry of Education, Sports and Leisure (MELS) awards credits to students who successfully complete the program at the end of secondary 2. Cycle 2 is made up of the last 3 years of secondary school. Students who are successful are awarded credits by the ministry at the end of each year in this cycle.

Students at Trafalgar follow the MELS “General” path, which is a curriculum designed for students preparing for post-secondary studies. (the ministry’s other paths lead to vocational training and entry into the work force.)

The reformed curriculum is based on the acquisition and practice of competencies. These competencies are both cross-curricular and subject specific. Students will be evaluated on the competencies throughout the learning process. MELS is currently reforming the structure of reports and the content of the competencies (Sept. 2010). As of this year a student's knowledge will be evaluated along with the competencies.

The curriculum of the Quebec Education Program (QEP) aims to have students construct a world-view, construct an identity and build a sense of empowerment. All of these aims fit well with Trafalgar’s mission which is to provide a balanced, superior education in an atmosphere that encourages each girl to reach her potential as a confident young woman capable of meeting life’s challenges and responsibilities.

The following course descriptions reflect the curriculum at Trafalgar. Though the basic curriculum follows the requirements of the ministry, the school adds topics to some courses, and creates local courses in several areas. This allows us to stay true to our mission and complete the Quebec Education Program at the same time. Detailed course outlines and expectations are available in September at Parent Orientation.

Evaluation Policy - Please click here for the Evaluation Policy, revised August 2011.

Graduation Requirements

The Quebec Ministry of Education awards the Diploma of Secondary Studies (DES) to students who have fulfilled the following requirements:

A total of 54 credits in Secondary IV and V courses of which 20 credits must be in Secondary V including:

            • language of instruction – 6 credits (sec. 5)

            • second language – 4 credits (sec. 5)

            • mathematics – 4 credits (sec. 4)

            • science & technology – 4 credits (sec. 4)

            • history & citizenship education (sec. 4)

            • arts education – 2 credits (sec. 4)

            • physical education & health or ethics and religious culture – 2 credits (sec. 5)

Credits

Credits are granted by the Quebec Ministry of Education at the end of Secondary Cycle 1 (Year 2) and at the end of each year of Secondary Cycle 2. Credits are granted to students successfully completing a course (i.e. a pass of 60.)

The last digit in each course code indicates the number of units of credit that course is worth.

Secondary Cycle I and Secondary Cycle II

The school submits to the Ministry a summary report of achievement in competencies, based on published benchmarks [Scales of Competencies]. These scales are converted into a mark on the summary report. This report is produced at the end of Cycle 1 and each year of Cycle 2.

Year 2  and 3 – Secondary Cycle II

The School submits to the Ministry a final mark for the students in Secondary IV and V (years 2 and 3 of cycle II). Students in Secondary IV and V write a number of exams and evaluations in June. Some of these exams are set by the ministry (uniform or complementary), some by boards of math and science, and others by the school. The Ministry then sends a Relevé des apprentisages, in July, to each student indicating her marks in each subject as well as the total of her accumulated credits. The Relevé des apprentisages , as well as a secondary V transcript (for term 2) is used by the student when applying to CEGEP or other post–secondary institutions.

Trafalgar Certificate

To obtain a Trafalgar Certificate, a student must pass all of the compulsory courses in Secondary V as well as all but one of her optional courses. She must also complete her Community Service (a minimum of 15 hours per year) requirement.

* in Secondary III and IV one option must be an arts option.

Course Option Forms for 2013-2014

2013 Curriculum PowerPoint
2013-2014 Course Descriptions  (please be patient, this file is large and takes a while to open)
Form III Handout
Form IV Handout
Form V Handout
2013-2014 College Circuit

Cross-Curricular Competencies

Cross-Curricular competencies are listed below. They are cover in all aspects of the curriculum and co-curricular programs at Traf. The regime pedagogique lists the following 9 competencies: (ministry words in Italics).