Special Programs
There are many ways at Dakota to earn credits and some special programs of study have been designed and offered to enrich and/or support students' particular learning needs. Please take some time to learn about the many opportunities that are available to students at Dakota Collegiate.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.
Click any item in this list to jump ahead.
- High School Apprenticeship Program
- Co-Operative Education Program
- Advanced Placement Program (AP)
- Skills For Living Program (SLP)
- Mature Student Diploma
- Fine Arts Certificate
- Science/Math Honours Certificate
- Special Credit Options: Community Service, Challenge for Credit, Online Courses, Private Music Option
- Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology (MITT)
- Louis Riel Arts & Technology Centre (ATC)
- Sports Academy
- Hub
High School Apprenticeship Program
SYAO allows students to earn up to eight grade 12 credits by working part time while attending high school. Depending on their school timetable, students may be able to do paid work during the day, evening, or weekends. Summer work is eligible. Students must work a minimum of 110 hours towards apprenticeship in any of the 40 designated trades and obtain a grade of 70% or higher on their evaluation to be eligible to receive one credit.
Prerequisites – high school students must have a complete Grade 10, students must be at least 16 years old, post-secondary students must have a complete Grade 12 and be attending ATC.
Student Responsibilities:
- Find an employer willing and able to train an apprentice
- Contacts the LRSD apprenticeship coordinator
- Works with school to ensure an appropriate timetable is possible
Once accepted into the SYAO program, the student:
- Arranges travel to and from work
- Maintains all in-school studies and a 70% mark in on-the-job training
- Informs the employer of any absences
- Reports regularly all hours worked to the LRSD apprenticeship coordinator
If you have any questions regarding eligible jobs and trades or other program details, please contact Mr. Stevens at (204) 237-8951 or darry.stevens@lrsd.net.
Co-Operative Education Program
The Co-operative Education Program (Co-op Ed) is intended for students whose academic and personal needs require individualized programming. This program is comprised of four main domains; social, academic, life-skills, and pre-vocational and employment training. The program domains facilitate the development of competencies which encompass daily living, personal, social, and occupational skills. Upon consultation with a Student Services contact person and Administrative approval, students may choose some electives in interest areas, or can be enrolled in courses at the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre or Winnipeg Technical College when it is deemed appropriate for the student to do so.
All students are expected to participate in a variety of community–based work experiences and provincially approved career education courses intended to develop job-related skills and a smooth transition into competitive employment upon graduation. Entrance into this program requires the approval of the LRSD Director of Student Services.
Advanced Placement Program
NOTE: This program is only available to students in their grade 12 year; however students must begin planning in Grade 10 and 11.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are first year University level courses that go beyond the curriculum expectations of specialized courses. It is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and universities around the world including the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg. The program exposes high school students to university level material and it gives the students the opportunity to show that they have mastered it by taking the optional AP exam. Colleges and universities can then grant the successful students credit; advanced standing; or both. The policies of each University differ so students are advised to check out the regulations from the University that they plan to attend.
Students must have an average of 75% or higher in that subject in grade 11 & 12 to qualify to take the courses. Students who select an AP course must complete the grade 12 level first. AP credits earned count towards graduation.
Advanced Placement courses are designed for the highly motivated student with an excellent work ethic. Students can benefit from taking AP courses by learning a subject in greater depth; developing skills that will be critically important to successful study in college and demonstrating to colleges and universities a student’s willingness to undertake a challenging course.
Advanced Placement students are be required to pay a fee for the final exams. Costs will range from approximately $120.00 - $190.00 depending upon the course. However successful students will save tuition and textbook expenses for that course at university.
AP Courses:
- Advance Placement Biology 42S (B42S)
- Introduction to Calculus and Advanced Math 40S (MICAM40S)
- Introduction to Calculus 42U (MIC42U)
- Advanced Placement Chemistry 42S (C42S)
- Advanced Placement History 42S (H42S) Online
- Advanced Placement Physics I 42S (P42S)
Manitoba Education AP Policies
Each university /college makes its own decision regarding granting of credits to students writing the AP exam. Universities grant credits for AP courses based on their local mark requirements on the AP exam.
University of Manitoba AP Policies
BIOLOGY
- Students must earn a grade of 4.0 or 5.0 on the AP exam
- Successful students earn a transfer of 1 full University credit (6 hours)
- All students, including those who do not challenge the AP exam, may earn one additional Biology credit at the high school level (42S)
CHEMISTRY
- Students must earn a grade of 4.0 or 5.0 on the AP exam
- Successful students earn a transfer of 1 full University credit (6 hours)
- All students, including those who do not challenge the AP exam, may earn one additional Chemistry credit at the high school level (42S)
HISTORY
- Students must earn a grade of 4.0 or 5.0 on the AP exam.
- Successful students earn a transfer of 1 full University credit (6 hours)
- Students cannot receive university credit for both AP World History and AP European History.
PHYSICS
- Students must earn a grade of 4.0 or 5.0 on the AP exam
- Successful students earn a transfer of one-half University credit (3 hours)
- All students, including those who do not challenge the AP exam, may earn one additional Physics credit at the high school level (42S)
University of Winnipeg AP Policies
BIOLOGY:
- Students must earn a grade of 4.0 or 5.0 on the AP exam
- Successful students may earn a transfer of 6 hours at the University level
- To continue studies in Biology, the student must also have standing in Pre-Calculus or Applied Math 40S and Chemistry 40S.
- All students, including those who do not challenge the AP exam, may earn one additional Biology credit at the high school level (42S).?
- Students must earn a grade of 4.0 or 5.0 on the AP exam
- Successful students may transfer 6 credit hours at the University level
- To continue studies in Chemistry, the student must also have standing in Pre-Calculus Math 40S
- All students, including those who do not challenge the AP exam, may earn one additional Chemistry credit at the high school level (42S)
- Students must earn a grade of 4.0 or 5.0 on the AP exam.
- Successful students earn a transfer of 1 full University credit (6 hours)
- Students cannot receive university credit for both AP World History and AP European History.
- Students interested in writing the optional Advanced Placement (AP) exam must pay a fee of approximately $100.00. The exam is written in May but the grade is not received until July. This mark is not used to calculate a student’s final grade. As such, an in-school final exam is written at the completion of the course in May. Please note that both the school exam and the AP Exam will both be written at the Arts and Technology Centre.
PHYSICS
- Students must earn a grade of 4.0 or 5.0 on the AP exam
- Successful students earn an Advanced Standing in Physics
- Students who do not challenge the AP exam may earn one additional credit at the high school level (42S)
The most important benefit:
In all cases, Dakota students who take the AP course will experience the demands and rigor of a University level course, at very little cost. For our students, the experience alone is excellent preparation for University life. In fact, many students take AP courses to ensure that they will get even better marks in their first year at University when grade point averages may determine whether or not students are accepted into various faculties.
Registering for courses:
If you are considering taking an AP course you commit yourself to taking 2 semesters in the subject. In the science courses the first semester students take the 40S course. In the second semester students take the AP course to earn 2nd high school credit (C42S, P42S, B42S).
For the AP history course taking a 40S history course is not required.
Skills for Living Program (SLP)
The goals of this divisional program are to assist in the development of social, emotional, academic, and other life skills for students who have highly specialized needs. This program helps students to prepare for life after high school by providing vocational experiences both in and outside of the high school environment. It works with divisional and community supports to develop individual educational plans which help to guide their way through high school by addressing their individual needs and abilities.
When graduating from this program each student has developed an individual transition plan enabling them to enter the community and/or adult services programs. Entrance into this program requires the approval of the LRSD Director of Student Services.
Mature Student Diploma
This program is intended for a student whose education has been interrupted. To obtain a Mature Student High School Diploma under the Senior 1 to Senior 4 Mature Student Graduation Requirements (2003), a student
- must be 19 years of age or over at the time of enrolment in school division/district or ALC programming directed at completing the Mature Student Graduation Requirements, or reach the age of 19 before completion of the course(s) in which he or she is enrolled
- must have been out of school six months or more, and out of school long enough for the class, of which he or she was last a member, to have graduated from Senior Years; and
- has not obtained a high school diploma.
Persons who meet the above criteria may graduate from high school by obtaining a total of eight high school credits including:
- English and Math and two electives at the grade 12 level
- Four additional credits at any level (can be previously earned credits)
Fine Arts Certificate
To be eligible for the Fine Arts certificate a graduating student must fulfill these requirements:
- Complete at least two of the listed courses at the 20 level.
- Complete at least two of the listed courses at the 30 level.
- Complete at least two of the listed courses at the 40 level.
- Complete a total of 10 accumulated courses (or the equivalent) in three years, including one from at least two of the course areas listed. No less than 12 accumulated courses are required to achieve an Honours Certificate.
- Maintain an 80% average in each course.
- Applications must be submitted by students on approved form.
Band Drama Choral Guitar Art CB20S DA20S CC20S GU20S VA20S CB30S DA30S CC30S GU30S VA30S CB40S DA40S CC40S GU40S VA40S JB20S MT20S VJ20S JB30S MT30S VJ30S JB40S MT40S VJ40S WE20S WE30S WE40S
Science/Math Honours Certificate
Students who wish to earn a Science-Math Honours Certificate when they graduate, as well as their regular high school diploma, will have to do the following:
- Take at least ten courses from the list below , and;
- Have a mark of at least 80% in each of those courses.
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 ScienceSC20F B30S B40S Biology 42S CS20S CS30S CS40S C30S C40S C42S P30S P40S P42S MathematicsMA30S MA40S MAPC20S MPC30S MPC40S MICAM40S
Special Credit Options
Community Service Credit (1 credit)
Manitoba Education Citizenship and Youth provides a Community Service credit for High School students. Students who make a significant contribution by volunteering for worthwhile causes or organizations within the community may earn a high school credit. Students who may be interested in pursuing this credit are advised to speak to an Administrator or to a Student Services teacher for more details. Students can’t use past volunteer hours to gain this credit.
Challenge For Credit (1 credit)
Students who can demonstrate they can meet the educational outcomes of a course can earn that credit without taking the course. Students can challenge one course per school year. The application deadline for challenging a credit is September 30th. Students who may be interested in pursuing this credit are advised to speak to an Administrator.
Online Courses
Private Music Options
Senior Years students can earn up to 4 optional credits if they meet the requirements of the Conservatory Canada or the Royal Conservatory programs. Arrangements are made through the school administration for these credits to be recorded. For more information see the Manitoba Education and Literacy: Graduation Requirements webpage.
Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology (MITT)
Beginning in Grade 11, students in Louis Riel School Division are eligible to attend MITT as part of their regular high school program. Students attend the College for half days and spend the other half at Dakota for academics. Bus transportation is provided to MITT.
Courses offered to high school students include:
- Auto Mechanics
- Industrial Welding
- Auto Paint
- Microcomputer Systems Technician
- Business Administrative Assistant
- Motorsport Technician
- Culinary Arts & Design
- Network Support Technician
- Electrical Applications
- Production Art
- Hairstyling
- Rehabilitation Assistant
- Industrial Electronics
- Technical Drafting
- Industrial Mechanics
- Web Design
There are additional courses available to high school graduates.
Information about these programs is available with student services teachers or online. Students choosing MITT as an option must complete an application with their student services teacher at the time of registration in March.
Louis Riel Arts & Technology Centre (ATC)
Beginning in Grade 11, students in the Louis Riel School Division are eligible to attend The Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre (ATC) as part of their regular high school program. Students attend the College for one semester per year and spend the other half at Dakota for academics.
ATC is pleased to be able to offer relevant technical, trade and career education in eleven programs including:
- Administrative Assistant
- Automotive Technology
- Building Trades
- Culinary Arts
- Early Childhood Educator
- Electrical Trades
- Esthetics (Nail Technology & Skin Care Technology)
- Hairstyling
- Information Systems Architect
- New Media Design
- Pastry Chef
Information about these programs is available in the student services area – Rm. 002 or online at Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre (ATC) Students choosing ATC as an option must complete an application.
Sports Academy
Dakota Collegiate offers six specialized Sport Academy courses within the Physical Education Program. These courses meet the Physical Education course requirement in grade 10,11 and 12. Each course will be open to students who wish to take an extensive course of study in skill acquisition in one of the following areas: basketball, dance, football, hockey, soccer, volleyball and outdoor education.
The Academy courses are ideal for students who wish to pursue and develop his/her personal potential and knowledge of a preferred sport or activity. Each course may require students to participate in activities outside of regular school hours.
Hub
This program emphasizes the development of literacy, numeracy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. The hub program offers an alternative education approach that enables all students to take leadership over their own learning. Students are provided with the opportunity to work at their own pace and achieve the curriculum objectives of the four core subject areas, including English, Math, Social Studies and Science. This multi-grade program welcomes students at various academic levels. The flexibility of the hub program enables students to meet their individualized potential. This authentic environment promotes independent and social development. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves as they are become aware of the complexities of human nature, their own evolving identity and issues of the world around them.
Subjects:
- English Language Arts 10F, 20F, 30S, 40S
- Essential Math 10F, 20s, 30S, 40S
- Social Studies 10F, Geography 20F, History 30S
- Science 10F, 20F