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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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