EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PATHWAYS
Understanding your options
RCDSB is a provincial leader in experiential learning, offering multiple pathways
that enable students to gain
real-world experience, industry certifications, and hands-on skills while earning their high school diploma.
Programs are available across all secondary schools, with specific pathways and specialized courses offered at
individual schools based on local industry partnerships and facilities.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Imagine graduating high school with more than just a diploma — with industry certifications, real work
experience and a clear path to your future career. That's SHSM.
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a focused school program that allows students to customize
their
secondary school experience around a specific job sector or interest. Students take a special set of
courses and
gain hands-on experience, all while still earning their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). These
programs
enable students to gain sector-specific skills and knowledge and prepare in a focused way for
post-secondary
education, training, and employment.
For more information on SHSM, please refer to the Frequently Asked
Questions
section.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
(OYAP)
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a specialized program
that allows secondary school students to explore careers in the skilled trades, usually starting in
Grade 11 or 12. Students can gain valuable experience working in a skilled trade while completing
their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Where applicable, there are possibilities of becoming
a registered apprentice.
For more specific OYAP information, please refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions section here.
Dual Credit
Why wait until after graduation to start college?
Dual Credit programs are a Student Success initiative facilitated through partnerships among local
school
boards, the Ontario Ministry of Education, and post-secondary institutions. They offer secondary
students a
unique pathway to earn credits toward both their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a
post-secondary
certificate, diploma, degree, or apprenticeship training.
Dual credit programs are intended to help secondary school students complete their OSSD and support a
successful
transition to a college program or apprenticeship. The course offerings span a variety of interest areas
and
career pathways. Students may earn a maximum of four optional credits from courses delivered by a
college.
For
more information about Dual Credit programs, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section
here.
UNIQUE SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS
Some programs are offered only at specific schools, giving students access to
specialized facilities, expert
teachers and unique community partnerships.
Hockey Program
Fellowes High School and Valour
Secondary School
Hockey Canada-affiliated and at no cost to students. Our school hockey program enables students to pursue
excellence on the ice and enhance their success in the classroom. Students combine athletic development
with
academic achievement through specialized hockey training. Whether you're aiming for the next level of
competition or using hockey to develop discipline and teamwork, this program lets you pursue your hockey
passion.
Click here to know more.
River Otters Outdoor
Education
Program (NEW)
Valour JK-12
Otters represent play, curiosity, and cooperation. This program is designed to be joyful,
community-oriented,
and nature-connected, and it will immerse students in the natural world through experiential outdoor
learning.
In an era of increasing environmental challenges and technological dependence, students benefit from
reconnecting with ecosystems while developing scientific literacy and data analysis skills.
Click here to know more.
Tamarack Experiential
Program
Mackenzie Community School
Tamarack is a total immersion integrated semester program that involves a class of grade 11 and 12
students who
are together as a group with one teacher for the whole semester, and is now one of the longest running
integrated semester programs in Ontario. The program is focused on sustainable leadership and community
building.
Click here to know more.
Workplace Preparation
for
Students with Disabilities
Fellowes High School
Adopting an internationally recognized employment training program, we help design work placements for
youth
with disabilities who may have barriers to entering the workforce to secure competitive employment.
This Project
Search program is delivered in partnership with the Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH), the Petawawa
Military
Family Resource Centre (PMFRC), and Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley (CLUOV).
Click here to know more
Food Recovery Program
Renfrew Collegiate Institute
Want to make a real difference in your community? Students partner with the
local food bank to address food
security while developing practical skills and social responsibility. Learn about nutrition, food
systems and
community development while helping neighbours in need.
Click here to know more.
Robotics
Mackenzie Community School and Arnprior
District High School
Build it. Program it. Compete with it. Students develop cutting-edge STEM skills through robotics
technology
that's shaping the future of industry, from manufacturing to medicine. Hands-on learning meets
innovation.
DISCOVER YOUR PATHWAY
Career sectors available across RCDSB schools
Each school offers different SHSM sectors based on local industry partnerships and
specialized facilities. Explore
which pathways are available at schools near you.
Arts and Culture
Available at six schools: Arnprior District High School, Fellowes High School, Mackenzie Community
School,
Madawaska Valley District High School, Opeongo High School, Valour Secondary School
Health and Wellness
Available at six schools: Arnprior District High School, Fellowes High School, Mackenzie Community
School,
Madawaska Valley District High School, Opeongo High School, and Renfrew Collegiate Institute
Construction
Available at six schools: Arnprior District High School, Fellowes High School, Mackenzie Community
School,
Madawaska Valley District High School, Opeongo High School, Renfrew Collegiate Institute
Transportation
Available at five schools: Arnprior District High School, Fellowes High School, Madawaska Valley District
High
School, Opeongo High School, Valour Secondary School
Business
Arnprior District High School
Environment
Opeongo High School, Valour Secondary School
Hospitality and Tourism
Fellowes High School, Opeongo High School, Valour Secondary School
Manufacturing
Opeongo High School, Renfrew Collegiate Institute
Sports
Arnprior District High School, Valour Secondary School
Information and
Communication Technology
Valour Secondary School
Culinary Arts
Fellowes High School, Renfrew Collegiate Institute