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Academics
Summer Academy
The Bishop Strachan School campus heats up in July and August, and it’s not just the weather. Summer Academy at BSS is an exceptional way to get ahead, catch up or explore something completely different.
We welcome students entering Grades 9 to 12 – boys and girls from across Ontario and beyond – to our beautiful campus every summer for outstanding learning in four-week Credit Courses and one-week Skills Programs. Click the links below to register today!
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BSS Credit Courses
Summer Academy Credit Courses offer students the opportunity to earn a credit applicable towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma in just under a month. With a wide array of courses to choose from, there’s something for everyone.
Courses are available online (through eLearning Consortium Canada) or in a blended learning format (in-person instruction on campus in the morning, followed by remote learning in the afternoon). In online courses, students learn through synchronous instruction by BSS teachers and/or asynchronously. As we continue to follow public health and COVID-19 regulations, blended learning courses may change to full online learning.
Students may only enrol in one class per month and one math class over the summer.
Courses are available online (through eLearning Consortium Canada) or in a blended learning format (in-person instruction on campus in the morning, followed by remote learning in the afternoon). In online courses, students learn through synchronous instruction by BSS teachers and/or asynchronously. As we continue to follow public health and COVID-19 regulations, blended learning courses may change to full online learning.
Students may only enrol in one class per month and one math class over the summer.
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Grade 9
- General Learning Strategies - Blended
- Principles of Mathematics 9 (MPM1D) - Blended and online options
- Food & Nutrition - Blended
- Exploring Family Studies - Blended
- Hospitality and Tourism - Blended
- Health Care - Blended
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Grade 10
- Canadian History Since World War I - Blended and online options
- Civics and Citizenship / Career Studies - Must be taken together, online only
- Principles of Mathematics 10 - Blended and online options
- Grade 10 Science - Blended and online options
- Hospitality and Tourism - Blended
- Health Care - Blended
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Grade 11
- Biology - Blended
- Chemistry - Blended and online options
- Physics - Blended and online options
- Functions - Blended and online options
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Grade 12
- English - Online
- Advanced Functions - Blended and online options
- Data Management - Online
- Physics - Online
Click here for a full list of course descriptions. Please note that course instructors are not confirmed until later in the spring.
Global Online Academy
BSS is a member of the Global Online Academy (GOA), a consortium of leading independent schools whose mission is to reimagine learning to empower students and educators to thrive in a globally networked society.
Summer classes with GOA offer flexible, meaningful learning that suits your schedule. Please note that GOA courses are virtual (asynchronous) only. Students must register for a GOA summer course through BSS in order to earn a credit in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDC3O) from BSS.
Summer classes with GOA offer flexible, meaningful learning that suits your schedule. Please note that GOA courses are virtual (asynchronous) only. Students must register for a GOA summer course through BSS in order to earn a credit in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDC3O) from BSS.
August One-Week Skills Programs
For students entering Grades 9 through 12, a one-week program provides a quick and effective opportunity to dramatically improve skills in math.
For students entering Grade 8 who will be taking Grade 9 math, please contact mdias@bss.on.ca about applying for Math Essential Skills.
These non-credit programs consist of practical activities and exercises, designed by teachers who know what students need in order to succeed in credit courses. Each program follows a blended learning format, with in-person learning in the morning, followed by synchronous and asynchronous online learning in the afternoon.
For students entering Grade 8 who will be taking Grade 9 math, please contact mdias@bss.on.ca about applying for Math Essential Skills.
These non-credit programs consist of practical activities and exercises, designed by teachers who know what students need in order to succeed in credit courses. Each program follows a blended learning format, with in-person learning in the morning, followed by synchronous and asynchronous online learning in the afternoon.
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Entering Grade 9
- Math Foundations
- French Skills
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Entering Grade 10
- Math Foundations
- French Skills
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Entering Grade 11
- Math Essentials
- French Skills
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Entering Grade 12
- Math Essentials
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How do I register for a BSS Summer Academy credit course?
First apply online and pay the tuition to confirm registration. Print the supplementary form and send it in with a copy of your most recent report card.
Please note that on the supplementary form there is a space for a signature from your school’s Principal or Guidance Counsellor which you will need to obtain before submitting your forms. -
When is the deadline to register for BSS Summer Academy?
We do not have a deadline. As long as a course is running and there is room in the class, you are welcome to register before the first day of classes. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis so it is best to register as early as possible. -
What does sufficient enrolment mean?
We aim to have a minimum of six students before we declare a course will run during the summer. -
When do we find out if a BSS Summer Academy course is or is not running?
Once we have declared that a course will definitely be offered, we will mail out a confirmation package to you. Most courses are confirmed in early May but decisions can happen as late as June.
We aim to let registered students know by the end of May or early June if we do not think we will get sufficient enrolment to run a course. The final date to declare a course will not be running is May 21. -
What is the BSS Summer Academy refund policy?
A refund (minus a $50 administration fee) will only be granted until the following dates:- BSS Credit Courses - May 14, 2021
- Global Online Academy Courses - TBC
- August One-Week Skills Programs - July 23, 2021
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Are BSS Summer Academy programs only open to girls?
Both the Credit Courses and the One-Week Skills Programs are open to boys and girls from public and independent schools. -
What does technology do I need to take credit courses at BSS Summer Academy?
Laptops are not required for in-person learning at BSS, but students will need access to a device at home for synchronous and asynchronous afternoon lessons. In general, we require an Apple computer (2015 or newer) with MacOS Mojave 10.14 or newer, for speed, compatibility and security. Other devices are acceptable, but require assessment by the BSS Technology and Innovation team to ensure it passes the security and privacy requirements of the school.
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Can you audit a BSS Summer Academy course?
Students are not allowed to audit BSS Summer Academy courses. -
Does BSS offer extra help to Summer Academy students?
Teachers hold tutorials every day from 2:30 to 3:00 pm so students can get extra help with necessary skills or content. -
Does BSS provide textbooks during Summer Academy?
Most courses do not require textbooks, as materials are online. However, where textbooks are required, students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks. Course texts should be ordered through the Canadian School Book Exchange. Please note, the Summer Academy Bookstore will not be available until June 2021. You will receive the details on how to order textbooks in your information package. -
How big are BSS Summer Academy classes?
We aim to keep our classes small so that students receive individualized attention. Our average class size is nine students, though many classes are smaller. We guarantee that no class will be larger than 15 students, as per public health guidelines for face-to-face learning. Click here to learn more about our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines. -
Is there a dress code at the BSS Summer Academy?
While there is no formal dress code, students are required to wear clothing appropriate to an academic environment. Shorts must be an appropriate length. -
What are my options for lunch during BSS Summer Academy?
Due to COVID-19 health and safety requirements, there will be no lunch option available at the school for Summer Academy students this year. -
What facilities are available at BSS?
All Science students have daily access to our state-of-the-art labs to during face-to-face learning. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, students will not have access to other campus facilities, such as the Student Centre, Learning Commons and campus grounds. They will, however, have full access to our online Learning Commons and the virtual IT Help Desk.
