PSG - Grade 11 Courses

The wars, revolutions, treaties, ideologies and technology of the 20th Century built our current global system. Through curated films and documentaries, innovative interactive multi-media, engaging readings and thoughtful discussions, this course offers a deep dive into World War I, the Treaty of Versailles and its  aftermath, the Russian Revolutions and the establishment of the USSR, World War II, the Cold War, wars marking the end of colonies, the collapse of the USSR, as well as spotlights on India, the Middle East, China, Civil Rights and apartheid. This competency-based course asks the question: How do people make and experience history?

Physical and Health Education at the grade 11-12 levels are credited as the following courses:

Specific, seasonal competitive sport programs are offered within PHE classes. Students on those teams have their PHE class divided into Fall and Winter seasons and may have different teachers and classmates in each season. They must select “Varsity Sport PE” in course selection and complete the form available at www.wpga.ca/varsity. While not on a team, students participate in the regular PHE program as described below.

Elite athletes training or competing at national levels who train 15 or more hours outside of school time for 7 or more months in the year may be granted a PHE exemption in grades 11 and 12. Connect with the Vice Principal of Learning for an application if this applies. 

Active Living focuses on the development of physical literacy, personal awareness and responsibility. Students can expect to participate in a variety of individual and team activities with a focus on both traditional, non-traditional games, and personal fitness. Some of these activities may take place off campus at some grade levels. These outings are mandatory and may require students to come to school early or stay late.

Fitness and Conditioning builds a foundation of understanding the structure and function of the human body and the social and scientific principles that relate to human performance. Following time in the classroom the class will then move to the fitness centre where students apply this knowledge following a set strength, anaerobic and aerobic fitness plan for 12 weeks. Following this training, students will then choose a SMART fitness goal, to research, rationalize and create a fitness plan for this goal, documenting the goal along the way, and meeting regularly with the instructor to discuss progress.

Students selecting these teams must complete the supplementary application form available at www.wpga.ca/varsity, and they must select Varsity Sport PE in course selection. Students in these team sections are normally expected to commit to extra-curricular practices, games and/or competitions. However, such sections may include additional, interested students who wish to learn the sport but not compete. In the latter case, the inclusion of non-competing students is at the discretion of the Athletics Director in consultation with the coach, who is normally the PHE teacher for the course.

Grade 12 Science courses require a strong commitment from the student to complete work outside of class time. Anatomy and Physiology 12 is a challenging and interesting course that covers a wide range of topics. Emphasis is placed on cell biology, biochemistry and human physiology. This course is ideally suited for individuals who wish to pursue a career in the field of medicine or biology, as well as those who wish to develop a deeper understanding of how their bodies work. 

Their work, prior to this course, should be of excellent quality, should show verve, confidence, and imaginative solutions. The objective of Art Careers is to enable the student to create a body of work for a professional portfolio and art show. This course is divided into various themes of study: a portfolio, a proposal and art excursions. The portfolio comprises six pieces of work generated by the student and six pieces of work suggested by the teacher. The proposal outlines the work’s direction and the scope of work. Art excursions to artistic venues broaden the students’ understanding of contemporary art. The art history paper focuses on an artist or artistic movement that inspires the student. Students are expected to work independently.

The Art Studio 11 program involves the combination of art making such as drawing, painting, mixed media, art history, art theory and art criticism. The student will approach each project with the acquired knowledge of art technique attitudes, an art historical background and a solid knowledge in the development of imagery and composition. Students will be given guidelines within a framework or assignment to choose their own direction. eliminate. All the art disciplines such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and 3-D designs will be covered within this course. This course leads to Art Studio 12, Art Careers 12 and/or AP Studio Art Drawing 12.

This course is only for Grade 12 students. It can be taken concurrently with Pre-Calculus 12. The topics include limits, derivatives, and integration but not series. This course is a good preview of university calculus. Final exam is worth 20%. Please note that while three different calculus courses are offered, any of the three could be cancelled due to low enrollment, and students will be enrolled in only one of Calculus 12, AP Calculus AB, or AP Calculus BC. Also, Calculus 12 is the lightest option in terms of content and rigour, suitable for students requiring a gradual introduction to calculus concepts for further study in post-secondary programs.

Career Life Connections (CLC) is required curriculum for graduation, but it is not scheduled as a course in the timetable. Rather, it is delivered within the Advisory program so students do not need to select it in course selection. CLC is a continuation of the Career Life Education program which students complete in grade 10. CLC is intended to help students narrow down their post-secondary and career interests, passions and goals. A major emphasis is placed on post-secondary education with an in-depth perspective of various programs for students to choose from and the subsequent application process. Students also do a considerable amount of reflection on their learning experiences and work-life context and use these to prepare personal profiles for either post-secondary education or career opportunities. The course is delivered by the UCCC counsellors with a substantial amount of the work completed in Advisory; however, some assignments are done outside of class time.

Career Life Education (CLE) is required curriculum for graduation, but it is not scheduled as a course in the timetable. Rather, it is delivered within the Advisory program so students do not need to select it in course selection. Career-life planning will not be a matter of making one major decision and living with it for a lifetime. Students learn to be open to multiple possibilities for their future and be flexible and adaptable to emerging opportunities that fit their values and aspirations. The career education curriculum is designed to help students learn how to effectively manage their life journey toward several possible preferred futures. Through purposeful career-life development, students learn to recognize their evolving interests and strengths, refine their learning goals, and apply this self-knowledge to exploration of post-secondary possibilities, work-related, and personal life contexts. In this way, students can advance toward who they want to be in the world. This course is a graduation requirement and is customized to the needs of WPGA students.

The Chemistry 11 course offers students the opportunity to further expand their knowledge on topics such as matter and chemical reactions. The course focuses on embedding curricular competencies with technical knowledge to foster students' critical thinking skills and help them to become scientifically informed citizens. New topics of study include Coulomb’s law, electron configuration, periodicity, chemical bonding, the mole concept, stoichiometry, and organic chemistry. Both quantitative and qualitative aspects of these topics are developed with an emphasis on the procedural nature of science and ongoing discovery through hands-on learning. A multi-modal approach - spanning simulations, design and inquiry labs, academic readings, data analysis , and scientific writing - fosters engagement and equips graduates with a diverse technical skillset aligned with the competencies. Formal reporting of summative assessments is communicated using standards-based grading. This course satisfies the science requirement for graduation.

Students should be achieving at least 80% in Chemistry 11 (at WPGA, not online or summer school) and Pre-calculus 11 by Spring Break. Grade 12 science courses require a strong commitment from the student to complete work outside of class time. Chemistry 12 explores concepts and quantitative techniques in chemistry in more detail, on the topics of reaction kinetics, equilibrium, solubility, acids and bases, and electrochemistry.. Hands-on experience in the lab offers students the opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking and conducting experiments.  Laboratory work and math skills are important parts of the course. Students should expect an average of one hour of homework for every hour of class time.

Concert Choir is offered to students who want to develop their vocal skills in a performance program. Emphasis is on the development of proper vocal techniques, rhythmic and melodic music reading skills, and ensemble singing. The choir performs in school assemblies, the Winter and Spring Concerts and in local music festivals. Attendance at performances and dress rehearsals is a requirement. Music performed covers a wide range of historical periods and musical styles. Please note that this course is scheduled during X-Block (off-timetable) and will include one fixed morning rehearsal (7:00 - 8:20) and one fixed afternoon rehearsal (3:45 - 5:15) every week. Extra rehearsals may be scheduled on a necessary basis. Students scheduled in X-Block must commit to regular attendance and plantheir schedules to manage any conflicts. Based on an audition, Grade 12s may be considered to participate in the afternoon rehearsal portion only, and without credit.

Comparative Cultures 12 broadens the scope of studies from the traditional Roman-Greco culture and the influence they had in the development of the Western world to include the perspectives of Eastern culture. It is also the intention of this course that a wide variety of disciplines and approaches be used to investigate and understand the many cultures of the “global” community. For example, literature, art, archaeology, architecture, music, religion, technology, social customs and traditions are just some of the ways that we will view the cultures of the global community. Course content will include Early culture; Atlantis and myth, Mayan and Egyptian, Imperial Period cultures (China and Rome), Medieval Period cultures (Japan and Europe), Enlightened cultures (Tang and Song Dynasties, Islamic World) and Indigenous Peoples’ World Views versus Western World Views.

Prerequisite: Concert Band 9 or instructor approval. 

This course refines students’ musical skills and abilities in a performance concert band environment. Students are required to maintain regular practice and care of a band instrument and work toward a Grade-specific standard of technical competency, improved range, and tonal concept. Topics in musicianship include evaluation of performances, an introduction to harmony, interval and chord recognition, basic arranging, minor tonality, and basic conducting technique. Students develop teamwork and community skills through commitment to their role in the ensemble and performing in public. Opportunities for meaningful aesthetic experiences are provided through exposure to a variety of musical styles and textures. The course is comprehensive in nature such that elements of world music, music history, music theory and the music industry are incorporated into the daily class structure. Students must have already attained at least a moderate level of technical playing and music reading skills prior to taking this course. Please note – full participation in the band program requires commitment to rehearsals on a regular basis, normally twice weekly.

This course recognizes, affirms, celebrates, and studies the traditional and contemporary cultures, languages, artistic expression, literature, and oral histories of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Throughout the course, students will develop inquiry skills, historical thinking skills, experiential- and place-based learning by incorporating Indigenous perspectives and knowledge. Through holistic and relational understandings of the land, students will better appreciate the connectedness and reciprocal relationships of Indigenous People’s sense of place, identity, worldview, and language. Emphasis will be placed on various forms of Indigenous cultural values and expressions to understand the diverseness and resiliency within Indigenous communities. Throughout the course, the fight for self-governance and self-determination is a major focus point to show how Indigenous Peoples continue to challenge and resist Canada's ongoing legacies of colonialism. The process of reconciliation is also a critical component of the course. Within the course, students will have the opportunity to research and explore issues of interest and discover how they are personally connected and/or affected by them. This course will provide students with the understanding needed to participate as a citizen in today's world and in the process of reconciliation as we all work towards fostering healing and addressing injustices.

In this course, students will develop a personal digital media portfolio which they will publish on a professionally hosted website. Students will have the option to keep this website permanently as their own academic/professional site (e.g., johndoe.ca). This course will give students an opportunity to deepen their technical and artistic skills, with a focus on allowing students to pursue their passions (film, illustration, software/game design, etc.). There are no prerequisites for this course, though students must have a laptop computer capable of running a current Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS environment (a requirement for Adobe Creative Cloud).

Students are introduced to the elements and principles of design and the design process in the form of challenges in which students must plan and present drawings and design solutions in a variety of formats. Students work in specialized environments to develop a base of theoretical knowledge of model-making, hand-drafting tools and computer applications. The SketchUp program is used to create solutions, and emphasis is on the critical problem solving and decision-making processes involved in the successful completion of exercises as well as independent and group projects. Skills and opportunities in diverse areas of drafting and design will be explored and students will begin to develop an awareness of how design reflects society, culture and the environment. Drafting 11 and Drafting 12 courses are offered in alternate years. The difference between the two courses is that Drafting 11 investigates smaller scale projects such as interiors and simple structures and Drafting 12 investigates larger buildings and more exterior finishes. Drafting 12 was offered in 2025-2026 and Drafting 11 i offered in 2026-2027.

Students are introduced to the elements and principles of design and the design process in the form of challenges in which students must plan and present drawings and design solutions in a variety of formats. Students work in specialized environments to develop a base of theoretical knowledge of model-making, hand-drafting tools and computer applications. The SketchUp program is used to create solutions, and emphasis is on the critical problem solving and decision-making processes involved in the successful completion of exercises as well as independent and group projects. Skills and opportunities in diverse areas of drafting and design will be explored and students will begin to develop an awareness of how design reflects society, culture and the environment. Drafting 11 and Drafting 12 courses are offered in alternate years. The difference between the two courses isthat Drafting 11 investigates smaller scale projects such as interiors and simple structures and Drafting 12 investigates larger buildings and more exterior finishes. Drafting 12 was offered in 2025-2026 and Drafting 11 is offered in 2026-2027.

Students should be achieving at least 80% in both Science 10 and Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-calculus 10 by Spring Break. Engineering 12 presumes solid skills with mathematics, physics and computer applications. This is a research- and project-based course. Students work in teams to learn fundamental conceptual models, analysis, design, problem-solving, teamwork and technical communication skills. Students develop several hands-on design projects as they become familiar with various engineering disciplines. Engineering case-studies and ethics, appropriate technology and development engineering, simulation and optimization, graphical communication and modeling, and engineering finance are introduced. Engineering faculties use broad-based criteria to evaluate student interest, experiences and leadership in engineering as well as academic results. Students interested in careers in engineering/technology are encouraged to enroll. This course satisfies the science requirement for graduation and will appear on the student's transcript as "Specialized Science 12". Engineering 12 and Health Sciences 12 will be offered in alternate years. For 2026-2027, Health Sciences 12 will be offered.

Do you want to run your own business or take a product to market? In Entrepreneurship 12 students use design thinking to define a problem, understand a market segment, develop a solution and ultimately launch a small business with a triple bottom line. After shutting down their small business, students then tackle a bigger problem in society and pitch their innovative solution to a panel of Dragons. The course requires students to think creatively, take risks, and apply marketing, accounting and financial skills that are critical in all business ventures.

Film + Television 12 is designed to continue to develop students' creativity and filmmaking skills. This class resembles a production studio as we produce 3 term end presentations that are screened for the school population. Students will create small vignettes to create a larger film, which will attempt to capture our unique and colourful school culture. Students will play several production roles, from acting to directing and editing to sound design and recording. Besides developing the skills, they learned in Film + Television 11, students will be expected to become nimble problem solvers and creative thinkers, as large-scale productions require students to be clever and flexible. As students will be responsible for producing 30-minute film presentations every term, they should be prepared to withstand the rigours and pressures of meeting deadlines, which may include long film shoots after school and into the evening on occasion. Film and TV is a creative course that demands problem solving and communication skills to help students find their storytelling voice.

In their Grade 10 or 11 school year, students apply to be accepted into the program. The selection process occurs in February, and not every applicant is chosen. If a student is successful, they are required to be enrolled in a 40-hour Canadian Red Cross First Responder course at Cambie High School in Richmond. There are several course dates available for students, and they must successfully pass prior to September to be a First Responder in their Grade 11 or 12 school year. To gain credit for WPGA's First Responder 11 course, students will be required to be on-call every six school days, to complete 15-20 hours of community service first aid (many opportunities are provided), and to help at two WPGA community first aid call-outs (e.g. vaccination clinics). They must also assist the nursing staff at lunch on designated days and participate in practice calls. First Responders has a separate application process and does not get selected in the regular course selection process.

Physical and Health Education at the grade 11-12 levels are credited as the following courses: 

Specific, seasonal competitive sport programs are offered within PHE classes. Students on those teams have their PHE class divided into Fall and Winter seasons and may have different teachers and classmates in each season. They must select “Varsity Sport PE” in course selection and complete the form available at www.wpga.ca/varsity. While not on a team, students participate in the regular PHE program as described below. Elite athletes training or competing at national levels who train 15 or more hours outside of school time for 7 or more months in the year may be granted a PHE exemption in grades 11 and 12. Connect with the Vice Principal of Learning for an application if this applies.

Fitness and Conditioning 11 and 12: Fitness and Conditioning builds a foundation of understanding the structure and function of the human body and the social and scientific principles that relate to human performance. Following time in the classroom the class will then move to the fitness centre where students apply this knowledge following a set strength, anaerobic and aerobic fitness plan for 12 weeks. Following this training, students will then choose a SMART fitness goal, to research, rationalize and create a fitness plan for this goal, documenting the goal along the way, and meeting regularly with the instructor to discuss progress.

This course is intended for students who do not meet the prerequisites of Pre-Calculus 11 and need a more practical stream of mathematics that will still lead to post-secondary studies in non-technical or non-science-related areas. Further counselling is required to determine the post-secondary math requirements in your preferred program with our university counsellors and your current math teacher. Students enrolling in Foundations 11 will meet graduation requirements but will need to enroll in Foundations 12 to fulfill minimum post-secondary entrance requirements. The Foundations stream is designed to provide students with the mathematical knowledge and critical-thinking skills identified for post-secondary studies in programs that do not require the study of theoretical calculus. Topics include reasoning, linear programming, quadratic functions and equations, statistics, geometry and proportional reasoning. Problem solving is a major focus of the course and is integrated throughout the curriculum. A final exam or final project may be incorporated into the overall course mark.

The purpose of this course is to enable students to communicate in French and to develop awareness of cultural diversity. This course emphasizes the practical use of the language in all its forms and de-emphasizes the analytical study of grammatical theory as an end in itself. The program is based on a multi-dimensional curriculum, and encourages students to learn through real experiences, negotiating meaning, and producing written and oral texts in a variety of real-life contexts. Students develop receptive skills (listening, reading, and viewing) and productive skills (speaking and writing).. This course leads to French 12.

The purpose of this course is to enable students to communicate in French and to develop awareness of cultural diversity. This course equips students with skills and strategies to enroll in AP French the following year and starts exploring the AP French course content. This course emphasizes the practical use of the language in all its forms and de-emphasizes the analytical study of grammatical theory as an end in itself. The program is based on a multi-dimensional curriculum, and encourages students to learn through real experiences, negotiating meaning, and producing written and oral texts in a variety of real-life contexts. Students develop receptive skills (listening, reading, and viewing) and productive skills (speaking, interacting and writing). As this is an Honours  course, students will be exposed to a greater variety of materials and activities, within the scope of the Ministry Curriculum, at the DELF B1 or B2 level. This course leads to French 12 or French AP, depending on enrollment, teacher recommendation and approval of Department Head.

Prerequisite: French 11. Instructions are given in the target language.

Students continue to develop their communicative skills in oral and written language. Previously studied structures and vocabulary are reviewed and reinforced through analysis of authentic documents. Grammatical concepts and lexical items are taught from various texts. A wide variety of literary samples will be read, and students are required to complete composition work relevant to these works. Oral proficiency and written production will be assessed on a regular basis. This course can lead to French AP, depending on enrollment and teacher recommendation.

Geology 12 is designed to introduce students to the structure of the Earth and the processes that affect the Earth, both above and below the surface. The course involves the study of earth materials (rocks and minerals), plate tectonics and the resulting features (including volcanoes and earthquakes), surface processes (including weathering, mass wasting), the importance of subsurface economic resources (coal, oil and gas) and geologic time (including fossils). Through a variety of hands-on activities, students will develop the ability to distinguish between various rock, mineral and fossil samples, as well as be able to identify the causes and effects of the geologic processes that are present in the environment around them. This course satisfies the science requirement for graduation.

GOA courses are delivered online through a “blended learning” format with a non-WPGA teacher, no more than 22 classmates from across the globe, and an in-school teacher-coordinator. GOA's course catalog (

https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses ).

GOA courses require a separate application (available at www.wpga.ca/goa or through Wolfnet Resources). GOA courses are not reported on WPGA report cards but are added to student transcripts when complete. GOA courses will appear as "Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 12" on Ministry of Education transcripts but will appear with their authentic GOA titles on transcripts produced by WPGA. 

Students in the Global Studies program normally complete a GOA course within the Global Studies 11 seminar, therefore GS11 students should not select GOA as one of their course choices.

There is a cost of $1,000 for a GOA course, for which students may be fully subsidized.  Students are limited to one subsidized GOA course in their Grade 11 or 12 years. 

This course is the introduction to the Global Studies Diploma Program. This experiential and participatory program is designed to better students’ understanding of world issues and empower students with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes desirable for world citizens. Students enrolled in this course are expected to attend off-campus activities such as seminars, guest speakers, and field trips. Students choose from 1 of 3 streams: World Issues, STEM, Entrepreneurship. This course is recommended for Global Studies 12 and required for the Global Studies Diploma.

Health Science 12 has been designed for the student who wishes to pursue a career in a health-related field (e.g. doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, sports trainer). The material presented covers a wide variety of diverse topics, which include: the systems of the body not covered in Anatomy and Physiology 12 (e.g. musculoskeletal, integumentary, and immunity), genetics and cancer, and nutrition. This is a very demanding course and requires the student to be committed in order to successfully complete it. Students may enroll in Health Science 12 in either Grade 11 or 12. Health Science 12 meets the science requirement for graduation and will appear on the student's transcript as Specialized Science 12. Engineering 12 and Health Sciences 12 will be offered in alternate years. For 2026-2027, Health Science 12 will be offered.

This course is taught as AP Human Geography and covers the learning outcomes of Human Geography 12. Students can elect to have the course credited as either Human Geography 12 (to satisfy the Social Studies 11/12 graduation requirement) or AP Human Geography. This election must be made by the end of the course or prior to the submission of university applications, whichever comes first. Notwithstanding such an election, students can write the College Board Exam in May at a cost of $153. Note: when registering for this course, do not select AP Human Geography as an alternate. Human Geography is a discipline that integrates many subjects and addresses both the physical and human-created systems of the world in the study of people, places, and environments. As an ever-increasing world population puts more and more demands on the planet's resources, there is a need for a society that is geographically literate and therefore able to make informed decisions about the sustainability of the Earth's resources and the future of the planet. The geographically literate student can interpret the landscape and understand the interconnections between his or her actions and the earth's physical systems. By the end of the course students will be able to combine spatial concepts and landscape analysis “to analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences.” This course asks students to analyze the critical interplay of culture, economics, politics, and social considerations when examining the relationship between people and the environment. To do this, students need skills in acquiring and accessing databases, in analyzing and interpreting data, and in intelligently representing their findings. Because geography is an integrative discipline, these geographic skills can be applied to a wide range of potential careers.

Instrumental Performance 11 is a year-long program of guided independent study in which students develop their performance skills on the instrument of their choice. The difficulty of repertoire and complexity of course materials are selected with attention to the unique musical abilities and requirements of the individual. Fundamental activities include practice and performance in solo and various ensemble situations, covering music from a variety of styles, textures, historical periods, and cultural influences. Topics for study include harmony and theory, compositional analysis, composer study, advanced instrumental techniques, and performance practices particular to instrument, historical period, and style. Performance review, music listening exercises, and ear training skills are emphasized. Opportunities to develop personal responsibility, leadership and team building skills are provided through involvement in practice and ensemble situations, and preparation for performance. Note: Students involved in this program must commit to participation in one of the WPGA large ensembles (ie. Band or Strings). Only students who have been consistent participants in the music program in earlier grades, and who are available at times that correspond to Mr. Jackson or Mrs. Goddard's availability may enroll in this course. This course does not appear in the online course selection and must be arranged in September.

Jazz Performance 11 is a year-long program of guided independent study in which students develop their performance skills within the jazz idiom on the instrument of their choice. The difficulty of repertoire and complexity of course materials are selected with attention to the unique musical abilities and requirements of the individual. Fundamental activities include practice and performance in solo and various ensemble situations, covering music from a variety of jazz styles, textures, historical periods from the jazz era, and cultural influences. Topics for study include jazz harmony and theory, improvisational techniques, transcribing, basic arranging, transposition, and song structure. Performance review, music listening exercises, and ear training skills are emphasized. Opportunities to develop personal responsibility, leadership and team building skills are provided through involvement in practice and ensemble situations, and preparation for performance.

Note: This program is only available by exception. Only students who have been consistent participants in the program in earlier grades, and who are available to complete the curriculum that accompanies Jazz Band participation at times that correspond to Mr. Jackson’s availability may enroll in this course. This course does not appear in course selection and must be arranged in September.

Law Studies 12 introduces students to a wide range of legal topics, including human rights and constitutional law, international law, criminal law, civil law, and Indigenous legal issues. The course imparts students with an understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities as citizens, as well as the myriad ways the legal system affects their daily lives, thereby enabling them to participate more fully in society. The course also examines how law can be a force for change, and how interpretations of laws can evolve over time as society’s values and worldviews shift. Students in Law Studies 12 will build on their Social Studies competencies through a variety of different activities, including analysis of important historical cases, legal research and writing assignments, and arguing in mock trials & appeals. Students will also have the opportunity to create a self-directed inquiry project in an area of law of personal interest, perhaps connected to their post-secondary and/or career aspirations (e.g., patent law for STEM-focused students, or entertainment law for students interested in the performing arts). This course culminates in either a final research paper or final exam.

With the purpose of expanding their development as educated, global citizens, students will improve their literacy skills through close readings of challenging texts, including Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, and build on their English Language Arts curricular competencies, including writing, speaking, and representing. Recognizing the impact of differing personal, social, and cultural perspectives will enable them to connect more meaningfully to themselves and to other people. This course satisfies the Language Arts 11 requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: Recommendation from the English Department.

Students wishing to be considered should love reading, and thinking about,and talking about ‘big ideas’.This course, a follow-up to Literary Studies and Composition 10 (English 10) Honours, is designed to develop skills for students intending to take AP English Language or AP English Literature in Grade 12. Taught as a college-level seminar, LS11 Honours supports the development of individual student voices through consciously non-competitive discussion and personalized writing coaching.  Recognizing the impact of differing personal, social, and cultural perspectives will enable students to connect more meaningfully to themselves and to other people.  Completion of this course does not guarantee placement either in AP Language or AP English Literature the following year. This course satisfies the Language Arts 11 requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese 10 Honours  or instructor approval.
 

This course will be reported as Mandarin 12 Accelerated until the end of the 2027-2028 school year.  It continues extending the linguistic content needed to interact in various situations, academic and non-academic. The focus is on all five linguistic skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, interacting) as well as on organizing ideas, both in writing and speaking. Students will mainly be exposed to authentic texts, from articles to novels, and will take part in a variety of activities to use the language in context, both in writing and speaking. The focus will be on writing. This course leads to AP Chinese Language and Culture.

This course provides opportunities for students to learn more abstract vocabulary, and master complex sentences. Although the focus remains on oral communication, new characters are introduced. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to use complex sentence structures, in Chinese characters, in their written work. Hanyu Pinyin and Chinese characters can be mixed in the written exercises. Basic Chinese literature will be introduced in this course and instruction will be given in the target language. This course leads to Mandarin Chinese 12.

This course develops conversational skills and understanding of grammar in modern Chinese introduced in Mandarin Chinese 11. Students’ reading and writing ability will be strengthened and more vocabulary will be introduced and practiced at this level.

Students will use a wide range of skills to create engaging content for the yearbook, Wolf TV and other projects. In this course students will gain and hone skills in several areas, including interviewing users, prototyping and testing, elements of design, and image-development strategies. Participants gain useful, real-world skills in time management, teamwork, and design thinking.

This course is designed to equip students with the critical skills necessary to thrive in our media-saturated world. While maintaining a focus on critical analysis and composition, and continuing to engage with classic literature–a cornerstone of the WPGA English program–this course expands the definition of "text" to include multimodal forms such as film, podcasts, video essays, social media, video games, and news media. Students will examine crucial 21st-century topics like echo chambers, fake news, privacy, and the complex relationship between media and reality, while making connections to the worlds envisioned by writers such as Plato, Shakespeare, Aldous Huxley, and George Orwell. By critically analyzing and creatively producing different forms of information, students will learn how the medium often influences the message. Most importantly, they will develop vital media literacy and digital citizenship skills, ultimately empowering them to become critical readers, viewers and creators who understand how to manipulate media, instead of being manipulated by it. This course satisfies the Language Arts 11 requirement. Students who find success in this course will be well-prepared for any grade 12 English course including AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition (but will still need departmental approval).

Grade 12 Science courses require a strong commitment from the student to complete work outside of class time. This course gives a rigorous grounding in the fundamentals of Physics and is aimed primarily at students who may be considering pursuing a Science, Math or Engineering program. Guided and independent laboratory investigations form a significant portion of this course. Kinematics, dynamics and momentum, electricity, electromagnetism, and magnetic induction are emphasized. This course helps students develop analytical, experimental, and problem-solving skills. It is recommended that Pre-calculus 12 be taken concurrently with or prior to Physics 12.

This course is taught as AP Comparative Government and covers the learning outcomes of Political Studies 12. Students can elect to have the course credited as either Political Studies 12 (to satisfy the Social Studies 11/12 graduation requirement) or AP Comparative Government. This election must be made by the end of the course or prior to the submission of university applications, whichever comes first. Notwithstanding such an election, students can write the College Board Exam in May at a cost of $153. 

Political Studies 12 equips students with the skills and knowledge to critically engage with political systems and issues at local, national, and global levels. Students explore the structure and function of Canadian and First Peoples political institutions, major political ideologies, electoral systems, and the influence of media and public opinion on policy-making. Through inquiry, analysis, and ethical reasoning, they assess political power, current public policies, and global systems. By the end of the course, students will have developed an informed understanding of decision-making processes and the role of active citizenship in shaping political outcomes.

 
Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, AP World History and AP Comparative Government and Politics will be offered in alternate years. Political Studies 12 is only offered in years where AP Comparative Government and Politics is offered. For 2026-2027, Political Studies 12 and AP Comparative Government and Politics will not be offered AP  world History will be offered instead..

If this recommended achievement is not met, students will be advised to enroll in Foundations of Mathematics 11 and approval to enroll in Pre-Calculus 11 must be received by their current math teacher and the Mathematics Department Head. Enrolling in the Pre-Calculus stream provides students with a pathway to post-secondary studies in engineering, science, business, and kinesiology, whereas the combination of Foundations 11 and 12 can lead to post-secondary programs such as arts, fine and performing arts, and nursing. To determine post-secondary program requirements in math, all students are encouraged to seek the advice of their WPGA university counsellor and Department Head of Mathematics. The areas covered are functions and equations including absolute value, rational, radical, quadratic, and polynomial. Students will also work on trigonometric ratios, systems of equations and inequalities and an introduction  to sequences and series. Pre-Calculus 11 is a very intensive course requiring diligent practice outside of class time and a significant time commitment and prior mastery of Math 10 content. Students are able to use Desmos test mode or any Scientific Calculator (TI-30XIIS).

If this recommended achievement is not met, then students will be advised to enrol in a Pre-Calculus 11 Summer School Course to meet the recommended standard, enrolment in Foundations of Math 12 or no Math 12 level course for the upcoming school year depending on post-secondary requirements. Students are encouraged to discuss their options with their current math teacher, university counsellor and Mathematics Department Head. The Pre-Calculus 12 topics include trigonometry, function properties (including logarithmic, exponential, polynomial, rational and radical functions), transformations, sequences, and series. This is a very rigorous, intensive course and requires commitment and consistent attendance. With a substantial theoretical focus, this course is necessary for those students intending to study mathematics, science, business, or engineering at a post-secondary level. This course prepares students to enroll in one of the following calculus options: Calculus 12, AP Calculus AB, or AP Calculus BC. Students are able to use Desmos test mode or any Scientific Calculator (TI-30XIIS).

This is a specialized teaching assistant (T.A.) position in woodworking and jewellery programs in the shop. It is the only Teacher Assistant 11 class that can be requested through Spring course selection. Students will lead younger students within the workshop, help to monitor safety, assist the instructor with materials preparation, project research and tool maintenance and occasionally construct projects for the school as a whole.

Students will establish a good rapport with both the younger students and the classroom instructor; it is also hoped that they will develop qualities such as leadership, independence, good judgement, collaboration, and the ability to recognize and fulfill needs within the workshop. Although a comfort level from previous workshop experience (Materials Design 8, Materials Design 9, Woodworking 10, STEM 8, Destination Imagination, extra-curricular experience) is recommended, students are not expected to remember all tools and skills from previous courses; these will be re-taught as required throughout the year. Students selecting this course must designate an alternate, as placements are limited. Prospective students are also encouraged to discuss this role directly with Mr. Pope (jpope@wpga.ca).

Instructions are given mostly in Spanish. Students learn to communicate using more complex and varied structures. They are expected to show mastery in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and interacting skills. Students will acquire a sound linguistic base, which is the foundation for effective communication and meaningful language. Students will be encouraged to present the language within the context of the contemporary Spanish-speaking world and its culture. All students will be actively involved by completing hands-on activities, participating in group work, assuming roles, utilizing technology and obtaining information from a variety of sources. Culture is also discussed in class, along with current events. This course leads to Spanish 12 or AP Spanish, depending on enrollment, teacher recommendation and approval of the Department Head.

Instructions are given mostly in Spanish. Using the communicative approach, students continue to work towards fluency in Spanish by employing increasingly complex tenses and structures. Students will acquire a soundlinguistic base, which is the foundation for effective communication and meaningful language. Students will be encouraged to present the language within the context of the contemporary Spanish-speaking world and its culture. All students will be actively involved by completing hands-on activities, participating in group work, assuming roles, utilizing technology and obtaining information from a variety of sources. This course stresses both oral and written competencies. This course leads to AP Spanish, depending on enrollment, teacher recommendation and approval of the Department Head.

Students are expected to be on campus during Study Blocks using their time productively. Gr 12s (In good standing) and with parent permission via Wolfnet form, are allowed off campus during Study blocks but must sign out at reception, call reception before leaving or complete the form at www.wpga.ca/signout. Gr 11s are expected on campus during Study blocks.

These blocks are primarily for students who benefit from additional support with learning and executive functioning skills. Priority is given to students with Individual Education Plans or Student Support Plans developed in response to diagnosed learning differences.

Students are assigned to a class/teacher in a younger grade to assist with classroom instruction and management. Students are also required to meet with, and complete work related to teaching pedagogy for, the TA Coordinator. Because this course requires a sponsor teacher for each student, access is limited and cannot be guaranteed until student and teacher timetables are set in September. For this reason, students cannot select this course during the course selection process. However, they may see Dr. Rosen in the LLC to complete an early expression of interest. Students wishing to complete this course will drop a course in September to add this one. Students must excel in the subject area in which they are placed, and have a demonstrated history of reliability, time management and integrity. A confidentiality agreement will be required.

Theatre Company is a dynamic, performance-driven course where students build the full range of acting skills, including character development, voice and movement, script and scene study, ensemble collaboration, and the craft of live performance. Students work toward WPGA’s much anticipated Senior School Production each spring and then prepare for our June One-Act Play Festival. This course places students at the heart of a working theatre troupe, offering multiple opportunities to shine onstage. If you are passionate about storytelling, performance, and bringing characters to life, this is your artistic home.

Supplemental Requirement:
All students must complete the Theatre Company supplemental application and audition requirements at wpga.ca/tc before enrolling.

Grad Req’t: Arts Education 

Theatre Production is a hands-on technical theatre course focused on designing and building the world of the play. Students explore set design, props, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound, stage management, front-of-house operations, and other production roles aligned with industry practices. Throughout the year, students contribute directly to the Senior School Production each spring and then support the technical elements for the June One-Act Play Festival. Through design thinking and real production work, students learn how technical artistry, organization, and innovation shape every show. This is the ideal path for students who love creating, building, and bringing theatrical environments to life.

Supplemental Requirement:
All students must complete the Theatre Production role application, which includes selecting a major and a minor technical discipline, at wpga.ca/tc before enrolling.

Swim, Basketball, Boys Soccer, Girls Volleyball (Varsity Levels). Students selecting these teams must complete the supplementary application form available at www.wpga.ca/varsity. Students in these team sections are normally expected to commit to extra-curricular practices, games and/or competitions. However, such sections may include additional, interested students who wish to learn the sport but not compete. In the latter case, the inclusion of non-competing students is at the discretion of the Athletics Director in consultation with the coach, who is normally the PHE teacher for the course. In terms where students are not on a team, they participate in the regular PHE program.

This hands-on course uses planning and the design process to focus on woodturning on a lathe and woodworking. Its main assignments include the design and creation of hand-turned wooden pens, spinning tops, vases, spurtles and bowls. Students will then design and construct a wooden toy using a variety of wood tools, materials and processes. Tools and skills learned include woodworking tools (lathe, saws, drills, sanders, planer, jointer, finishing tools) and a variety of finishing techniques (wax, oil, paint, stain, polyurethane). Students may also learn additional tools and skills while exploring independent projects. This course may be chosen in any grade from 10-12. Students choosing this course must choose an alternate as enrollment is restricted due to workshop capacity limitations.

The AP Chinese course is designed to provide an opportunity for highly motivated students to obtain credits for a second-year Chinese course at a college or university level. The AP Chinese course prepares students to demonstrate their level of Chinese proficiency across the three communicative modes: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. Students will develop the ability to interpret a broad range of oral and written texts excerpted from broadcasts, newspapers, magazines, contemporary literature, and essays. The interpersonal mode involves spontaneous interaction which develops students’ capacities to respond in culturally appropriate ways to exchange opinions on topics of personal, school, and community interests. Students will develop presentational abilities by writing and speaking in a variety of settings. They will also learn a variety of written discourse styles, including descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive. Students can write the College Board Exam in May at a cost of $203. Please note that this course may not run in any given year due to low enrollment. Students selecting this course MUST indicate an alternate.

Students enrolled in this course will receive credit for two separate courses: AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics. Students can write the College Board Exams in May at a cost of $153 for each of these two courses. Topics commonly studied in first-year university economics, including supply and demand, market structures, government, trade, money and banking, and the foreign exchange market are the focus. Although the topics are theoretical in nature, they will provide a good foundation for students interested in business.

Elective 11/12 

This interdisciplinary course is designed to be innovative, meaningful, and fun. Out-of-class learning experiences take place in the following ways: (1) on field trips to the Seymour water reservoir, Lulu Island wastewater treatment facility, and the Vancouver Landfill; (2) at a sustainability conference where students collaboratively present; and (3) in a unique partnership with WPGA kindergarten students and a butterfly garden project. Classroom learning takes place through student- and teacher-led case studies, seminar-style discussions, and with guest speakers. Topic areas of investigation include readings on energy, earth’s interconnected systems and human’s impacts on them, and sustainable decision making. A key priority of this course is to develop a rich conceptual understanding that connects to a student’s life, as well as their place in the community and beyond. Assessment, using standards-based grading, is broad based and includes informed discussion, formal presentations, and regular tests to prepare students for the AP College Board exam in May 2026. Given the overlap in curricula, all students can receive equivalent credit for the BC Ministry’s Environmental Science 12 course. This AP option has a further attraction for students, given its only prerequisite is the completion of any grade 11 level science.

AP French Language and Culture Elective 12 Prerequisite: 86% in French 12 or French 11 Honours (or Enriched) and instructor approval.

This course is designed for students who have a high level of interest in the French language and who will probably continue to study it at the university level, regardless of the ultimate career choices. Language, literature, and culture are studied and taught in the target language using a wide choice of novels, poetry and short selections to prepare students for the examination in French language. Students are evaluated in their oral efficiency, reading and listening comprehension, written expression and cultural knowledge. During the summer, prior to this course, students may be required to complete initial readings that will be studied during the year. Because of the high standards maintained by the College Board, only the most dedicated and proficient students can take advantage of this opportunity. Students can write the College Board Exam in May at a cost of $203. Please note that this course may not run in any given year due to low enrollment. Students selecting this course MUST indicate an alternate.

Human Geography is a discipline that integrates many subjects and addresses both the physical and human-created systems of the world in the study of people, places, and environments. As an ever-increasing world population puts more and more demands on the planet's resources, there is a need for a society that is geographically literate and therefore able to make informed decisions about the sustainability of the Earth's resources and the future of the planet. The geographically literate student can interpret the landscape and understand the interconnections between his or her actions and the earth's physical systems. By the end of the course students will be able to combine spatial concepts and landscape analysis “to analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences.” This course asks students to analyze the critical interplay of culture, economics, politics, and social considerations when examining the relationship between people and the environment. To do this, students need skills in acquiring and accessing databases, in analyzing and interpreting data, and in intelligently representing their findings. Because geography is an integrative discipline, these geographic skills can be applied to a wide range of potential careers. 

Students enrolled in the course cover the learning outcomes of
Human Geography 12, and can elect to have the course credited as either Human Geography 12 (to satisfy the Social Studies 11/12 graduation requirement) or both Human Geography 12 and AP Human Geography. This election must be made by the end of the course or prior to the submission of university applications, whichever comes first. Notwithstanding such an election, students have the opportunity to write the College Board Exam in May at a cost of $153

Prerequisite: Literary Studies and Composition 10 (English 10).

Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. It is a science with roots in the fields of biology, philosophy and physiology. This course will expose students to many of the fields of interest within Psychology. Topics covered include personality development, altered states of consciousness (sleep, dreams, and hypnosis), learning, memory, and abnormal behavior. Students will also investigate the biological basis of behavior, motivation, sensation, perception, health psychology and social psychology. The methods, including statistics, for completing psychological research will also be introduced. Students can write the College Board Exam in May for $153.

This course is designed for students who have a high level of interest in the Spanish language and who will probably continue to study it at the university level, regardless of their ultimate career choices. Language, literature, and culture are studied and taught in the target language using a wide choice of novels, poetry, and short selections to prepare students for the examination in the Spanish language. Students are evaluated on their oral efficiency, reading, and listening comprehension, written expression and cultural knowledge. During the summer, prior to this course, students may be required to complete initial readings that will be studied during the year. Because of the high standards maintained by the College Board, only the most dedicated and proficient students can take advantage of this opportunity. Students can write the College Board Exam in May at a cost of $203. Please note that this course may not run in any given year due to low enrollment. Students selecting this course MUST indicate an alternate.

The course will introduce students to major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students are exposed to four broad themes: exploring data, sampling, and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. A graphing calculator is required for the course. Students usually take the College Board Exam in May, unless there are extenuating circumstances, at a cost of $153. Most university science, social science or business programs will require the study of statistics and this course will provide good preparation.

This course has a strong drawing and painting focus. Computer generated works can also be submitted. Students will build on previous studio art class experiences and will work toward achieving confidence in their technical skills, in their use of a variety of materials and developing a personal style. Students will complete a minimum of 15 high quality works to be photographed and submitted digitally. Five works will be selected from their 15 pieces, or they are encouraged to submit other works that are not a part of their Sustained Investigation. This is a discipline-based art education class in which students take an active part in describing, analyzing, interpreting, and judging their artwork and the work of their classmates. Students will also explore postsecondary options. Class time is divided into 4 segments: Inquiry, Practice, Materials and Drawing Art and Design.

An invaluable foundation for post-secondary studies in law, international business, history and literature, AP World proves that when we know about the past, we understand the present. Beginning with the fall of both Latin Rome and the Han Dynasty , AP World Modern strides across Medieval, Early Modern and Modern times. 
This course investigates innovative and surprising cultures, governments , economic systems and social structures in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. Through texts, lectures by experts, immersive dives into historical turning points, and discussions, students gain an appreciation of the roots of contemporary, global society, which was built by circumstance and individuals Students can write the College Board Exam in May for $153. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, AP World History and AP Comparative Government and Politics will be offered in alternate years. For 2026-2027, AP World History Modern will be offered.