What is an SHSM?
A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) allows students to customize high school to fit with their career interests. At Alexander Mackenzie High School we currently have SHSM sectors in:
Choosing an exciting SHSM program that is right for your child is the first step toward a bright and rewarding future in their chosen career.
What's a Pathway?
A pathway is a combination of courses that lead to graduation and to your post-secondary destination, whether it's apprenticeship, college, university or the workplace. Finding your pathway and planning your future takes time.
What Does an SHSM Pathway Look Like?
A bundle of eight to 10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits that include:
- Four major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills
- Two to four other required credits (for example, English and Math), which will incorporate learning done in your career field of choice
- Two co-op credits that provide real workplace experience, enabling you to refine, extend, and practice sector-specific knowledge and skills
What will your child gain from an SHSM Program?
As part of an SHSM Program at Alexander Mackenzie High School, your child will:
- receive a Red Seal on your OSSD upon graduation. This recognition signifies that they have successfully met all of the key Ministry of Education requirements and expectations of their SHSM program
- experience a range of customized learning opportunities in an area that interests them
- have an opportunity to explore, identify, and refine their career goals and make informed decisions related to post-secondary education or training and next steps towards a career, such as: visiting community colleges and universities to explore the various post-secondary options available
- gain confidence in their ability to succeed, and see the connections between their studies, the world beyond high school, and their future careers
- acquire essential skills and work habits that are required in his or her chosen career focus
- have evidence of his or her achievements including sector-recognized certifications and training programs such as: CPR, Standard First Aid, Leadership & Conflict Resolution Certification, and much more
- be given consideration for student housing, and scholarships when applying to specific universities and colleges
- begin to establish relationships and networks in a chosen field
How can your child apply for SHSM next year?
Anyone interested in any one of the SHSM Programs can get started by:
- Please complete the SHSM Registration Form to fill out an “SHSM Registration Card” to express your interest in participating in any one of the SHSM Programs at our school.
- Contact any of the following staff members for more information about SHSM Programs:
- John Petrone, SHSM Coordinator, 905-884-0554, Ext. 423
- Lana Fisher, Head of Guidance, 905-884-0554, Ext. 422
- Arturo Tang, Co-op teacher, 905-884-0554, Ext. 415