1 Secondary Education in Manitoba In 1994, Manitoba Education ...

In Grades 10-12, the curriculum includes: English, Oral Communications(Debating/Drama); French, Mathematics, Calculus; Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics;Canadian Studies, Economics, Geography, History, Law, World Issues; Physical Education;Band; Computer Studies, Computer Science; Career Exploration; Visual Arts/PsychologyEnglish and Mathematics are compulsory each year.The School is strongly committed to the promotion of Canadian Studies. Students atevery grade level are made aware of the important contributions Canadians have made to the artsand sciences. Canadian literature, politics and geography figure significantly in the curriculum.St. John's-Ravenscourt offers only courses at the advanced level.Normally, the Schooldoes not accelerate bright students through the grades--rather it attempts to enrich existingcourses.The School also offers Advanced Placement courses in: English, Calculus, Chemistry,Physics, Biology, History, Economics, French, Computer Science and Psychology.SJR offers a healthy environment for learning in a traditional independent school climate.At the same time, the School provides a climate for intellectual dissent in which students feelcomfortable expressing ideas that sometimes challenge established ideas. The School alsoencourages student-initiated activities both in and out of the classroom - activities that will allowfor personal risk taking, an essential factor in the development of creative talents and leadershipskills. The School's role is not to prevent failure but rather to help students learn from mistakes ina way in which they can benefit from them. This approach encourages students to valueknowledge for its own sake and to see its pursuit as a lifelong endeavour.The School evaluates students' progress with frequent and often extensive writtenexaminations designed to test literacy, organization, critical thinking and creative talents, as wellas knowledge of the subject matter involved. Students in Grade 10 & 11 also write thePreliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test to give them an idea how they stand in comparison withother North American students in the areas tested.In the higher grades, St. John's-Ravenscourt emphasizes the seminar and tutorialapproach, and the low staff/student ratio (1:13) supports this approach. When students needspecial assistance it is readily offered.Reports are sent to parents in October, December, March and June.Information TechnologyThe School is completely networked; three computer labs, as well as the two School librariesand residences are hooked to the Internet.SJR believes that the curriculum of the School will drive where technology can be usedeffectively in support of the curriculum. The development of skills in such areas as writing,research and analysis is enhanced by the use of technology. Thus, both students and teachersrequire ready access to computers and related technologies to accomplish the goals of thecurriculum. It believes that technology provides teachers and students with a powerful set oftools that will enrich teaching and learning.Before accessing the Internet, students must sign the School's Code for ResponsibleComputing.6