Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

Since 2015-2016, Ronald-Marion has been offering the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program. SHSM is a program designed by the Ministry of Education to enable students in Grades 11 and 12 to study and live experiences relevant to a particular field. For more information on SHSM programs, visit the ministry’s website:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/SHSM.html

At Ronald-Marion, we offer the SHSM program in two sectors: Environment and ICT (Information and Communication Technology).

To complete a SHSM program, students must complete 5 components:

  • A package of Grade 11 and 12 credits including
    • 4 specialist credits in Environment or ICT (with at least one in Grade 11 and one in Grade 12)
    • 2 cooperative education credits
    • 1 french credit in Grade 11 or 12
    • 1 math credit in Grade 11 or 12
    • ICT Only: 1 Grade 11 or 12 credit in science, business, law or art
  • 7 industry-specific certifications
  • Reach-ahead postsecondary exploration activities
  • Reach-ahead career exploration activities
  • Collaborative project with a sector partner

The Boussole program is unique to Ronald-Marion and has been designed to better provide students with the opportunity to complete either SHSM program. All students who register with Boussole will also be enrolled in the SHSM program of their choosing.

SHSM Environment

Boussole was originally designed specifically for SHSM Environment students. Students who participate in Boussole will complete nearly all the requiements of the SHSM Environment program in one semester. Outside of the Boussole semester, in order to complete the remaining SHSM requirements, students will need only to complete:

  • Two (2) cooperative education credits
  • One (1) environmental specialist credit in either Grade 11 or 12 – there is a large list of accepted credits and this is rarely an issue for students to complete. This credit can be completed in the first semester of Grade 11 prior to Boussole or in Grade 12.

Students will complete all of the required certifications for SHSM through the Boussole program including but not limited to:

  • Standard First Aid and CPR
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • Certified Hike Leader (Hike Ontario)
  • Leave No Trace Camping
  • WHMIS
  • GPS, Maps and Compass Training
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Training

Though students will have essentially completed the SHSM program by the end of Grade 11, they will continue to be offered opportunities to participate in SHSM-related activities throughout Grade 12.

SHSM ICT

Starting in 2022, with the introduction of the TGJ3M course into the proram, Boussole students will be able to enroll in the SHSM ICT program instead of the SHSM Environment program, though a SHSM ICT student will not complete the SHSM program through Boussole to the same extent as an Environment student. Outside of the Boussole semester, in order to complete the remaining SHSM requirements, students will need only to complete:

  • Two (2) cooperative education credits – it is highly recommended this be done during the summer to avoid scheduling conflicts with ICT specialist credits during the school year.
  • Three (3) ICT specialist credits in either Grade 11 or 12 – it is recommended students do one credit in the first semester of Grade 11 prior to Boussole and two credits in Grade 12.

Students will complete most of the required certifications for SHSM through the Boussole program including but not limited to:

  • Standard First Aid and CPR
  • WHMIS
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Training
  • Leadership Skills Training

In order to ensure the completion of the SHSM program, students will continue to be offered opportunities to participate in SHSM-related activities throughout Grade 12.


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