Waterloo-Oxford offers the following Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM):
- Agriculture
- Health and Wellness
- Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
- Manufacturing
This program allows students to earn credits towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) while participating in a variety of rich experiential learning activities. Grade 11 and 12 students who register in this program have the opportunity to explore a specific community, or economic/or industrial sector in preparation for post-secondary destinations in one of the four pathways: Apprenticeship, College, University or Workplace.
The five components of SHSM include:
- specified, bundled credits
- sector-recognized certifications
- sector-partnered contextualized experience
- experiential learning and career exploration activities
- “Reach Ahead” experiences
Successful students earn a SHSM receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma embossed with a red seal, a SHSM report card and SHSM completion recorded on their transcript.
Requirements and Application Forms
The following application forms include the course requirements. Complete the application form and return it to your guidance counsellor to register.
Agriculture – Requirements and Application Form
ICT – Requirements and Application Form
Manufacturing – Requirements and Application Form
Health & Wellness – Requirements and Application Form
SHSM Lead Teachers
Agriculture: Mr. McIntyre and Ms. Renkema
Information and Communications Technology: Mr. Beetham and Ms. Jackson
Manufacturing: Mr. Dagg and Mr. Dosman
Health and Wellness: Mr. Boyd and Ms. Rowe
For more details about the Specialist High Skills Major program see your guidance counsellor, SHSM Lead Teachers and visit WRDSB’s SHSM webpage and the Ministry of Education website.
