At Thornhill Secondary School, our Special Education Department adheres to the philosophy that each individual regardless of background or ability is entitled to the support necessary to maximize their potential.
The Special Education staff, in conjunction with classroom teachers and other educational personnel, have a commitment to the following objectives:.
encompass a growth mindset;
integrate the student’s voice to inform the development of the IEP;
incorporate evidence informed strategies and goals in the IEP to drive instruction and assessment;
empower students, educators, and parents about the importance of well-being through self-advocacy, resiliency and perseverance;
build on strengths and interests in order to meet the differentiated needs of every learner;
provide differentiated, timely and tiered interventions; supported by a team approach that responds to individual student learning
needs including persistent learning difficulties; and
enable capacity building and knowledge mobilization;
Then all students, families and educators will discover potential and achieve success. We have a variety of classroom programs and services that considers all pathways and life skills options.
Learning Strategies:
Learning Strategies, (GLE) is an open level credit that is available to all students with an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) from grades 9 to 12. Each grade level focuses on a variety of learning outcomes ranging from improving work habits and independence to transitions to post-secondary education. Throughout each course, taught by our highly specialized Special Education Resource Teachers, our
main goal is to help students develop and apply a range of strategies to improve their learning and achievement particularly in literacy, numeracy, communication and planning skills.
Intensive Program
The Intensive Program provides fewer transitions and courses to assist students in achieving academic, social and emotional success. Some students remain together in the class for non-credit courses in Literacy, Numeracy, and Life Skills. In addition, students can be integrated into one, two or three credit-bearing courses per semester, depending on their ability and readiness. While in the classroom, the students are supported by a Teacher as well as Support Staff. The ultimate goal for our students is to work at their own pace and acquire credits if they can, and graduate with either an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Ontario Secondary School Certificate or a Certificate of Accomplishment.
ASD Program
We have two highly specialized non-credit ASD programs at Thornhill Secondary School. One of the many highlights of our program is our dedicated life skills room. This unique environment provides functional, transferable skill attainment and development for students to use in community and home settings. Classroom Teachers and Support
Staff develop and implement structured and individualized programming that supports each student’s strengths and needs.
Courses / Levels of Support
Regular Class with Indirect Support
This is an indirect level of service provided to students who are placed in the regular classroom. The special education resource teacher in consultation with the classroom teacher monitors the student’s progress and makes program adjustments.
Regular Class with Resource Support
Resource support is provided in the classroom by the special education resource teacher on a regular basis. Accommodations are provided and continually assessed and evaluated by the classroom teacher and/or special education resource teacher.
Regular Class with Withdrawal
Learning Strategies: (GLE 10/GLE20)
Skills for Success in Secondary School
This course focuses on learning strategies to help students become better, more independent learners. Students will learn how to develop and apply literacy and numeracy skills, personal management skills, and interpersonal and teamwork skills to improve their learning and achievement in school, the workplace, and the community. The course helps students build confidence and motivation to pursue opportunities for success in secondary school and beyond.
Advanced Learning Strategies: (GLE30 / GLE40)
This course improves students’ learning and personal-management skills, preparing them to make successful transitions to work, training and/or postsecondary education destinations. Students will access their learning abilities and use literacy, numeracy, and research skills and personal-management techniques to maximize their learning. Students will investigate trends and resources to support their postsecondary employment, training, and/or education choices and develop a plan to help them meet their learning and career goals.
Community Classes: Partially Self-Contained
Autism Program
This is a non-credit program based on Ministry curriculum guidelines that are modified or alternative to the curriculum, as set out in the Individual Education Plan. The program places emphasis on the development of literacy, numeracy, personal and social skills, communication skills, culinary skills, money management, transit training and community exploration, and work experience. The program provides a balance between academics and learning opportunities which promote and challenge each student to reach a maximum level of academic achievement, independence and citizenship.
Gifted Program
The program is based on Ministry curriculum expectations at the appropriate grade level, which is differentiated through depth, breadth, pace and kind in order to address students’ differing learning needs and styles. In the development of the student’s Individual Education Plan the specific learning expectations for the student, an outline of the special education services, accommodations and instructional strategies needed by the student, and the methods by which the student’s progress will be assessed and evaluated will be outlined. This program is available in Grade 9 and 10.
Storefront PEAK Program
(Pathway to Education and Academic Knowledge)
Presently located in The Promenade Mall, the PEAK Program serves students between the ages of 18 and 21 who have completed a modified high school program and require further education before attending college or entering the workplace. The program offers classes in life skills, workplace math and English, upgrading and work placements in the community.