TCDSB Regional Center for Congregated Advanced Placement (AP)
The Advanced Placement Program is an internationally recognized program that fosters success in higher education by encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills at the highest level. Students pursue university level studies while still in high school by preparing for and writing exams. Successful completion of exams earns students advanced placement and/or credit in university. Exams are recognized by universities throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Thirty-four courses are offered in 19 subject areas by approximately 13,000 high schools worldwide. The hallmark of the program is its flexibility in that students may take the full complement of AP courses and work toward an AP International Diploma or study in their personal area of strength and aim to achieve an AP Scholar or AP National Scholar designation.
A Congregated Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a school-wide initiative requiring the support and dedication of administration and faculty. In this program, segregated Pre-AP classes begin in Grade 9 and are offered in Mathematics, Science, English, French and Social Sciences. This early introduction in Grades 9 and 10 encourages a focus on the development of habits of mind necessary for success in later years. Teachers are provided with intensive AP training and resources and each department forms a Vertical Team to ensure a seamless transition in curriculum from one grade to the next. The program follows the Ontario curriculum but is richer in depth and breadth and allows more time for enrichment activities such as contests, field trips, in-depth discussions, guest lecturers, and more varied activities. The Pre-AP Program leads to the Advanced Placement courses in Grades 11 and 12. Regular meetings of all AP teachers ensure open dialogue and consistency of expectations.
Participation in the AP Program allows students to get a head start on the work they will encounter in university. Coursework prepares students to write the AP exams in May. Although written at their home school, exams are marked externally by qualified markers trained by the Education Testing Service. Numerous studies have demonstrated that successful completion of these exams ensures high achievement in post-secondary education.
All students in the TCDSB may apply to the Congregated Pre-AP/AP Program at Father Henry Carr
Activities available to students vary from year to year depending on availability and on student interest. Examples of some of these activities include:
University of Toronto Secondary Gifted Conference
Encounters With Canada - Educational youth programs in sports, science and technology, law, arts and culture, journalism. One week course in Ottawa.
Model UN Debating (CSUNA) Catholic Students United Nations Assembly
The Royal Ontario Museum lab and workshop
Live theatre productions and workshops offered by the Canadian Stage Company
Queen’s University mini-enrichment week
Waterloo Unlimited (3 day program on Reading a Research Paper)
Public Speaking Competitions
Duke of Edinburgh Award Program
Shad Valley- four week summer-enrichment program focus on sciences, technology and entrepreneurship.
University of Toronto Da Vinci Engineering Program (DEEP)
Daily morning and afternoon prayer
Grade level retreats at Henry Carr Farm in Bondhead, Ontario
Christian service projects
Fast Forward is a curriculum delivery model that provides prescriptive school-work transition program pathways for students who are entering College, Apprenticeship, or the workplace. Henry Carr offers two programs:
Transportation [Auto] Technology
These programs include robust and gradual experiential learning, linking Ontario Curriculum to authentic workplace essential skills and tasks.
The Legal Education Advancement Program (LEAP) was conceived to allow students the unique opportunity to pursue justice education in the high-school setting.
Upon completion of the program, students will have gained awareness for and an insight into the myriad justice issues which we face in society.
LEAP’s goal is to inspire students to pursue higher education in the justice field.
Mandatory after-school tutoring
Vibrant Leadership groups
Hospital for Sick Children Reading Program
Linkage with colleges and universities for mentorship
Cooperative education & Apprenticeship [OYAP]
An inclusive special education model
Numerous extracurricular activities
The Carr community is committed to providing excellence in education that reflects the spiritual, intellectual, cultural, emotional, social, physical and ethical development of its members.