High School Curriculum
The TWS High School offers a Waldorf curriculum and meets the requirements for the Ontario Ministry of Education High School Diploma.Curriculum content and class hours from TWS courses are matched to Ontario course requirements to determine equivalent credits. Biennial High School inspections include reviews of course content and preparation, teaching methods and standards. These reviews confirm TWS’ accreditation to issue Ontario Ministry of Education Secondary School Diplomas.
TWS courses are presented in two formats: Main Lessons and subject lessons. Main Lessons offer an extended class in which material is presented and discussed, then reviewed. Each lesson has an Arts enhancement component to further support the learning. Each main lesson block lasts 3-4 weeks allowing for an intensive study of the subject. Subject lessons take place a number of times each week in shorter lesson periods, allowing for continuity throughout the year
Main Lessons are a compulsory requirement of TWS education. In Grades 9 and 10 the curriculum is standard for most students with limited course selection choices (eg. performance options, languages, drama).
In Grades 11 and 12 more choices are possible as students may begin to direct their studies toward languages, sciences or arts. A balanced curriculum is still required, but more flexibility is possible in these years.
Below is an outline of the TWS High School Curriculum, and a listing of some current choices.
Grade Nine Main Lessons
- History of Drama
- Discovering Geometry
- History of Art
- Canadian History
- Organic Chemistry
- Human Anatomy
- The Novel
- Thermodynamics
Grade Ten Main Lessons
- Epic and Romance
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Canadian Physical and Cultural Geography
- Similarity and Trigonometry
- The Power of the Word
- Career Studies
- Ancient History
- Human Physiology
- Mechanics
Grade 11 Main Lessons
- Atomic Theory
- The Middle Ages
- The Medieval World
- Projective Geometry
- History of Music
- Cell Biology
- The Chemical Elements
- The Romantics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Parzival (by Wolfram von Eschenbach)
- Botany
Grade 12 Main Lessons
- Zoology (Marine Biology)
- Acoustics and Optics
- History of Math
- Genetics and Evolution
- Senior drama production
- Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- History of Architecture
- Media Studies (English)
- Choice of: second Math (Calculus and Vectors) or Biology
- Choice of: Biochemistry or Art
Students also select some of the following:
- French
- German
- Drama
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Studies in Literature (English)
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Macbeth
- Family Studies
- Career Studies
- Civics
- Business Studies
- Health and Physical Education
- Art (drawing, basketry, woodwork, metal and clay sculpture, off-loom weaving, bookbinding, painting, metalwork, visual arts, non-traditional arts)
- Performance Arts (small ensemble singing, circus, guitar, dance, wind and string orchestra, eurythmy, choir and stage design/management/lighting/sound/costume design).
The selection of these options varies by grade.
In the first three years of High School there is also a work experience program:
- Grade 9 students work on an organic or biodynamic farm for three weeks
- Grade 10 in business and trade professions for two weeks
- Grade 11 in social service professions for two weeks.
In Grade 12 a final drama production is staged in lieu of a work practicum. As well, all Grade 12 students prepare and present a major project of their own choosing.
Each High School year ends with a compulsory class trip (part of the Physical/Outdoor Education program). Trips include flat and white water canoeing and kayaking.