Programs and Curriculum

As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Richmond Hill H.S. supports student learning through the curriculum standards set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education.Oour school offers the following programs:

  • Advanced Placement
  • Alternative Education
  • Athletic Program
  • Co-op Program
  • English as a Second Language Program
  • Gifted Program
  • Locally Developed Courses
  • Music Program
  • QUAD Program
  • Special Education Programs, including a Developmentally-Delayed Program and a Multiple Exceptionalities Program

Special Education

At Richmond Hill High School, Special Education programs and services are provided for those special needs students who have been identified by procedures (IPRC) established by the York Region District School Board.  The programs offered by the Special Education department may vary according to the needs of the student.  These programs range from:

  • Withdrawal – An identified student may take a Learning Strategies course for credit.  The strategies that are taught in the course aim to enable the student to work more effectively in the regular classroom.  The strategies and skills relate to reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking, organization, time management, studying and test taking.  Prerequisite:  Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC).
  • Resourcing – A Special Education teacher supports students in the regular classroom if there is a sufficient number of identified exceptional students present in this class.  The Special Education teacher will work cooperatively with the subject teacher in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the course.
  • Regular Class with Monitoring – The student’s progress is monitored in the regular classroom.  The student receives counselling on an as-needs basis.

Senior Integrated Developmentally Delayed Program

This self-contained non-credit program has been developed to specifically meet the needs of the senior (14 - 20 year old) developmentally delayed student. The aims of this program are:

  • To encourage the student to develop his /her potential as an individual and as a contributing member of society
  • To promote each student’s ability to function as independently as possible in the community
  • To  facilitate the development of confidence and a sense  of self-worth
  • To foster the development of a sense of responsibility by stressing  functional skills that promote optimal independence, work experience and other community involvement
  • To teach and reinforce appropriate behaviour in school, in the community, and in the work place.

Gifted Program

The gifted program is available for students in grades 9 and 10 who have been identified through the IPRC.  The ultimate goal of the program is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their talents and abilities to the highest possible level of achievement.  The program invites students to develop intuitive, creative and analytic behaviours and skills, including:

  • training in problem solving and creative thinking  skills
  • exposure to advanced subject material
  • opportunities to develop self-awareness of learning and communication styles
  • opportunities to integrate knowledge
  • opportunities for learning a variety of evaluation skills
  • support for actively pursuing ideas and feelings.

**Please note:  Students in the Gifted Program who are eligible for transportation will receive busing only while in grades 9 and 10.  Please refer to “Student Transportation” in the York Region District School Board Course Calendar: « www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca ».

ORTHOPAEDIC DEPARTMENT

Richmond Hill High School Orthopaedic Department is divided into two distinct programs:  Orthopaedic and The Orthopaedic Developmentally Delayed Program. These programs are unique to York Region District School Board.  They are a regional service with the catchment area being all of York Region.  Admittance is gained through the IPRC process. A support staff of health and educational assistants provide students with support in the areas of academic/social/life skills and physical/personal needs.
Note:  Special transportation is provided as necessary.

Multiple Exceptionalities Program

This program provides an opportunity for students with physical disabilities to attend a regular secondary school and to integrate according to their needs.  The learning environment would include one of the following programs:

  1. A totally integrated program for students working toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Ontario Secondary School Certificate.  Academic assistance for these students is available in the Multiple Exceptionalities classroom.
  2. A partially integrated program for students who would benefit from both integration and an alternate individualized program.
  3. A highly individualized self-contained program for students who would benefit from basic academic, communication, and life skills as well as opportunities for social integration.

Gifted Program

This non-credit, self-contained program emphasizes the development of communication, literacy, numeracy, computer, musical and physical education and life skills.  Students will learn about healthy life style choices and develop independence, community integration and social skills.  These skills are individualized to meet the student’s personal needs.  Interaction with peer tutors, students from other classes and with the community will foster the development of basic communication skills that will be of benefit in daily life.  These skills will be enhanced during mathematics, language, physical education, art, cooking, and library classes.

Students in this program usually require special assistance due to physical disability or long-term severe illness.  They will benefit from cognitive enhancement that takes into account non-verbal communication disorders.  Most of the students in this program require wheel chairs, specialized equipment for mobility and assistance with physical balance.

Students in this program will be evaluated and assessed in a variety of different ways in order to monitor their academic and social progress throughout the school year.  Assessment and evaluation techniques include daily observations and written analysis of student participation in daily activities, quizzes and tests, checklists, work sheets and homework assignments.