Grades 9 to 12

In Grades 9 - 12, students drive their own learning with deep curiosity and commitment. They are challenged and supported to excel every day. They develop strong academic, communication and collaboration skills. Just as importantly, they learn to overcome obstacles, appreciate each other’s strengths and care about the world around them. Our graduates go out into the world as capable, confident and compassionate people.

The program is comprehensive, offering more than 100 credit courses. Electives are available in business, technology and visual and media arts, among other areas. BSS goes beyond the Ontario curriculum, enhancing it with our unique approach, the Culture of Powerful Learning.

At BSS, students choose their own academic path. They are encouraged to ask big questions and answer them through inquiry and exploration. They are inspired by meaningful assignments that tackle real-world problems.

2023-24 Course Offerings

A group of students is sitting around a table and one student smiles at another
Students in English class smile while discussing something
Students build wooden birdhouses at work benches in the design tech lab using tools

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Advanced Placement

BSS offers 14 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the AP Capstone Diploma, which provides an enriched, fast-paced university-level curriculum. Our students' strong results in AP courses confirm their readiness for post-secondary studies. Learn more about our AP program.
Co-Curriculars

We know that learning happens everywhere. In Grades 9 - 12, there are many opportunities to practice leadership, experience the outdoor world, learn through travel and participate in teams, clubs and affinity groups. Learn more about co-curriculars at BSS.

There are also opportunities for students to take on formal leadership roles within the school. In some cases, students are elected by their peers and faculty. In others, they are interviewed by Faculty Advisors and student leaders. Positions range from Prefects and Ambassadors, to Mentors, Academic Team Heads and Team Captains. After all, leadership is best learned by doing!
Co-operative Education

With the BSS Co-operative Education program, students in Grades 11 and 12 get real-world, hands-on experience and mentorship from experts in their field. The program combines in-class learning with placements at non-profit organizations or businesses, turning theory into practice and experience into networks.
Online Learning

Online courses are available to BSS students. They offer solid course material, great teachers, collaboration with other students and strong support.
Personal Support and Well-Being

Our school counsellors work with students to support their social and emotional life and overall well-being. Through one-on-one support, group meetings and workshops, counsellors build meaningful relationships with students and their families. They provide academic counselling, connect with Learning Specialists as needed, and work closely with the University Counsellors on academic planning based on post-secondary requirements. Our counsellors are experts in the social and emotional life of girls and are devoted to helping students develop confidence and resilience.
University Preparation and Guidance

The academic program in Grades 9 - 12 lays a strong foundation for university studies. Our students have strong critical thinking, communication, analytical and research skills. They are motivated and can advocate for themselves. They embrace challenge and change. One hundred per cent of BSS graduates are offered placement at top-tier universities and colleges in Canada, the United States and globally. Our dedicated university counsellors work with students on their academic and post-secondary planning, helping them navigate the complex landscape of university admissions. Learn more about our graduates.

Sheila Barclay, Mathematics Teacher and Lead Mentor

Whenever possible, we offer experiences that allow for student voice and choice. Teachers are there to guide student thinking, suggest resources and to ensure that multiple sources and perspectives are incorporated into the work.

What learning looks like in Grades 9 - 12

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Grade 9

In English, students discussed novels that focus on self-discovery, finding voice and the power of persuasion. They developed speeches and spoken word poetry, exploring their own voices in powerful ways.

In Health and Physical Education, students developed the skill of sending and receiving, first in Flag Football, then in the fast and furious game of Rugby 7s, and finally in Ultimate Frisbee.
Grade 10

In Careers, students studied women leaders and created posters with QR codes linking to information about their leadership strategies.

In English, students thought about how Shakespearean stories of teenage rebellion compare to contemporary texts. They tackled the oft-asked question, ‘Why do we still study Shakespeare?’
Grade 11

In Accounting, students completed a “shoebox” assignment. They journaled transactions from a variety of source documents to produce financial statements. They then wrote a letter to the owner outlining concerns and recommendations.

In Chemistry, students experimented with cyanotypes, a photographic printing technique used to create blueprints.

In AP English Language and Composition, students learned how purpose, occasion and audience drive different types of writing. They wrote scripts for documentaries, policy proposals for politicians, articles for youth magazines, and much more. One student scripted a TED Talk about the benefits of learning another language to improve cultural understanding.
Grade 12

In French, students read novels highlighting the homeless situation in France, then compared it to the situation in Toronto. In the process, they learned more about the causes of homelessness globally.

In Chemistry, one student looked at the impact of fentanyl use in Indigenous communities, incorporating feedback from Indigenous counsellors.

In AP Calculus, students applied their knowledge to increasingly complex situations, working collaboratively to solve problems using multiple approaches.