ISNA High Academic Program

ISNA High School is a progressive, co-educational, Muslim secondary school for students in Grades 9 to 12, located on the outskirts of Metropolitan Toronto, Canada.

An independent school accredited with the Ontario Ministry of Education, ISNA High School prepares students for admission to colleges and universities in Canada, the U.S. and beyond, while striving to abide by Qur’anic injunctions and the Sunnah.

At ISNA High School, the pursuit of excellence in all things governs school life.

The investigation of human knowledge and the acquisition of skills within a vibrant Islamic setting inspire and provide focus.

As a registered school with the Ontario Ministry of Education, our curriculum covers all overall and specific expectations provided by the ministry. In addition, our program is grounded in Islamic context. It demands good teaching and student accountability. A focus on learning and practicing Islamic values, along with developing academic skills and applying them in all endeavours, is the hallmark of our program.

The school program demands total participation in the exercise of the intellectual, physical, and spiritual faculties found within each member of the ISNA High School community.

ISNA High School offers academic and university bound courses with the objective of students pursuing a university education. We are proud that over 95% of our graduates are accepted to top universities of their choice, with over 50% receiving scholarships.

The educative process is both formative and summative. Quizzes, tests, assignments, projects, portfolios, presentations and compulsory exams are a regular part of the student’s work. Since the majority of our students pursue university admission, the expectations of parents, students and faculty alike are very high.

A successful year for students is measured by their diligence in studies and their initiative and responsibility as contributing members of the school and its community.

We offer a wide range of courses for students enabling them to pursue various careers. Course selection is on a first come, first served basis, with class capacity ranging from 20 student to 30 students based on the nature of the course.

For any questions pertaining to course selection, please email the school Guidance Counselor, Ms. Altarawneh at [email protected]

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requires the completion of 30 credit courses, including 18 compulsory credits and 12 electives. Other requirements include passing the provincially mandated Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test and completing a minimum of 40 hours of approved Community Involvement activities.

Requirements

English: 4 credits (1 per grade)
French as a second language: 1
Mathematics: 3 (1 in grade 11 or 12)
Science: 2
Canadian Geography: 1
Canadian History: 1
Arts (Dance, Drama, Media, Music, Visual Arts): 1
Health and Physical Education: 1
Civics: 0.5
Career Studies: 0.5
3 other credits*
Total compulsory credits: 18
Elective credits: 12
Total credits: 30

40 hours community involvement activities
Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School
Literacy Diploma Requirement

* 3 other credits:

  • New 1 additional credit (group 1): additional credit in English, or French as a second language,** or a Native language, or a classical or an international language, or social sciences and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education, or cooperative education***
  • New 1 additional credit (group 2): additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies, or French as a second language,** or cooperative education***
  • New 1 additional credit (group 3): additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12), or technological education, or French as a second language,** or computer studies, or cooperative education***

*A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
**In groups 1, 2, and 3, a maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.
***A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits.
†The 12 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.

All credit courses toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) are based on rigorous curriculum expectations and course descriptions and codes of the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Credit courses toward the OSSD focus on the essential concepts of the respective discipline. Course work develops students’ knowledge and skills by emphasizing theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts and incorporating practical applications as appropriate. The emphasis is on theory and abstract thinking as a basis for future learning and problem solving.
College/University preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12 are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the entrance requirements for college and university programs. Courses emphasize the development of both independent research skills and independent learning skills.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

All students at ISNA High School seeking to graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) are required to complete the Provincial Secondary School Literacy Diploma Requirement.

In the spring of their Grade 10 school year, students will write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
Students must pass the test in order to graduate from secondary school and earn a diploma.
The OSSLT is based on the Ontario curriculum expectations for language and communication - particularly reading and writing - up to and including Grade 9.
The test determines whether students have acquired those skills necessary for literacy and whether they have attained the provincial expectations for literacy.
Students unsuccessful on the first attempt may rewrite the test. There is no limit to the number of attempts a student may make.
Once successful, the student cannot take the test again.
Students who have been eligible to write the OSSLT at least twice and who have been unsuccessful at least once may satisfy the Provincial Secondary School Literacy Diploma Requirement by successfully completing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC).
Community Involvement

In order to develop a sense of civic responsibility and community values, students at ISNA High School must complete a minimum of 40 hours of Community Involvement prior to graduation.

Community Involvement is a graduation requirement for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
School staff will discuss appropriate types of Community Involvement activities and projects with students and may offer suggestions, but the selection and management of the involvement is to be directed by the student.
All activities before commencement must be recorded in the Student Log Book and approved by the school office.
Activities may take place inside or outside the school; those which occur inside the school may not be part of a credit program.
Activities may take place during the school day, but must occur outside the student's scheduled course time, that is, during the lunch hour, or before or after classes.
Student fundraising, and acting as a student assistant, tutor, or peer helper or mediator within the school all qualify as Community Involvement activities.
Volunteer activities, tutoring, fund-raising, coaching, or other work with community groups or charitable organizations all qualify as Community Involvement, as long as the student is not paid for the work done.
Independent activities in the community may count, such as visiting, helping out, and picking up groceries or supplies for an elderly or disabled neighbour; shovelling snow or raking leaves, etc. Documentation must be received from the community member, and no payment of any kind may be received for these activities.
Graduating Students

The following links are of importance to students in Grade 12:

Ontario Universities Info

A guide to Ontario’s universities’ for secondary school students. Click here

OUAC

Ontario Universities’ Application Center. Click here

OCAS

Information on earning a college degree, diploma, certificate or apprenticeship in Ontario. Click here

OSAP

Ontario Student Assistance Program. Click here

Scholarship

Scholarship Awards. Click here

Continuing Education

Students may earn credit courses in a flexible manner through one of the following options:

Summer School

Summer school and online-summer information and forms. Click here

Night School

Night school information and forms. Click here

Online School

Online schools: AMDEC, Virtual learning.

High School Guidance Department

The Guidance Department at ISNA is there to provide students with any additional support they may need as they navigate their high school journey and plan for post-secondary destinations. Guidance counsellors are the first points of contact for students requiring:

Academic Planning Support

Course options and selection, night school, summer school and online learning applications, tracking OSSD requirements

Post-Secondary Planning

University/college application and preparation workshops, scholarships, career planning and exploration

Additional Support

Emotional and mental health counselling and support, study skills, conflict resolution, etc.

    * All fields are obligatory