Academics

List of 4 items.

• In-School Summative Policy

  It is acceptable for a student to have two major, in-school summative assessments on the same day.
  
  

  If a student has three or more major in-school summative assessments in one day, the student should email all three teachers and their Mentor, cc'ing them on one email, to confirm the nature and scope of the summative assessments. Teachers will shift and make accommodations on the timing of the summative for the student, such that the student does not have more than two major summatives in a single day.
  
  

  Note: This only applies to timed in-class assessments; long-term projects, presentations and other summative assessments with extended due dates are not included in this limit.

  
  
  

• Policy on Courses in Upper School

  To earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students must accumulate 30 credits, pass the Ontario Literacy Test, and complete 40 hours of community service. For students graduating in or prior to June 2027, 18 of the 30 credits are compulsory and 12 are elective. For students graduating in or beyond June 2028, 19 of the 30 credits are compulsory and 11 are elective.
  
  

  Crescent students in Grades 9 and 10 must take eight courses per year and accumulate 24 credits. Students in Grade 11 are allowed one spare. By the end of Grade 11, most Crescent students will have accumulated 17 of the 18 compulsory credits. The one remaining credit is Grade 12 English (ENG4U).
  
  

  Students in Grade 12 at Crescent School are encouraged to take six courses and must take at least five courses. The Grade 12 courses are demanding. To help nurture success, our Grade 12 students are permitted to have spares, usually one per day. The reduction from eight courses in the final year means that students have more time to focus on their work. With 80-minute spares, much work can be accomplished at school, thus making evening homework sessions more manageable.

• Advanced Placement (AP)

  All students at Crescent School can take advantage of the Advanced Placement (AP) program, which culminates in examinations set and graded externally.
  
  

  Participation in the AP program at Crescent is an option many of our students choose to pursue. AP courses and exams represent the beginning of the journey through university-level challenges. An increasing number of our students choose to take AP courses. 

• External Credit Policy

  Crescent School has a long-established reputation as a first-rate university preparatory school. History has shown that Crescent students are extremely well prepared for their post-secondary education. The vast majority of our graduates earn admission to the university of their choice and, moreover, thrive once admitted. 
  
  

  Some students choose to take additional courses outside of Crescent School. These include summer school courses as well as evening and distance learning courses taken during the regular school year. Crescent has monitored the experiences of students taking such courses for several years. It has become clear to us that there is an increasingly wide variety of service providers and, more importantly, an increasingly wide range in the quality and rigour of these programs. We are also learning that many post-secondary institutions are scrutinizing where particular courses are taken and the timing of such courses. This is a practice that we believe will continue to grow.
  
  

  Accordingly, Crescent strongly encourages students to complete foundational courses, including mathematics and science, through the Crescent program. These courses are the cornerstones of success in university, and Crescent believes students are best supported in these critical academic disciplines through the continuity, rigour, and academic expectations of the Crescent program.

  
  Students are required to complete an Externally Obtained Credit form if they are considering taking credit courses outside of Crescent. This form will be reviewed by their guidance and university counsellor and by the Assistant Head of Upper School, Academics and must be completed prior to course registration to ensure the course is suitable. This is particularly important when a course taken outside of Crescent School is used as a prerequisite for a subsequent course taken at Crescent.
  
  

  Students who enrol in external courses without prior approval do so at their own risk. The School reserves the right to determine whether an externally obtained course provides adequate preparation for a subsequent Crescent course. In making that determination, the School may consider factors including curriculum alignment, instructional model, assessment practices, academic rigour, the student's demonstrated preparedness, and any other relevant educational considerations.

   

  There are several guiding principles for those who wish to explore external credit options outside of Crescent:

  1. As a general expectation, students shall complete all 17 Ministry-approved Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits through Crescent School, Crescent Summer Academic Program, or an approved Crescent online affiliate (ELCC).
  2. Students may pursue non-compulsory Ministry courses as external credits only with prior approval from the School.
  3. Before enrolling in an external course, students must submit an External Course Request Form for review and obtain approval. This allows the Guidance and University Counsellor to advise the student on how the external course may affect their overall academic program and post-secondary planning.

  
  Student Responsibilities

   

  Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their Guidance and University Counsellor and to seek their advice when making course selection decisions. Counsellors work with students to ensure that their academic program supports successful completion of graduation requirements while also aligning with their individual interests, strengths, and post-secondary goals. Students are encouraged to consider their counsellor’s guidance carefully, particularly when making decisions that may affect future post-secondary options.
  
  

  Crescent School is required to maintain appropriate records of courses completed externally for academic tracking and, where applicable, inclusion on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Students are responsible for:

  • notifying the School of any proposed external credit opportunity;
  • obtaining any required approval before enrolling in an external course;
  • notifying the School upon completion of an external course; and
  • ensuring that official documentation and final grades are submitted to Crescent in a timely manner so that academic records can be updated accurately and promptly.