CURRICULUM · JK TO GRADE 12

Strong foundations. Room to go further.

Ontario learning expectations provide the foundation. Deep understanding, guided discovery and purposeful challenge shape the journey.

High school diploma requirements ↓

Illustrative photograph of two people working together with a notebook — Illustrative photograph. Not a photograph of Laureates students or facilities.

THE LAUREATES APPROACH

Grade level is a starting point. Not a ceiling.

At Laureates Academy for Gifted Students (LAFGS, pronounced “laughs”), students can move beyond grade level as far as their readiness, mastery and ambition take them. Age does not set the ceiling on understanding. Small classes make room for a personal pathway. Assessment identifies strengths and gaps; close teaching and mentorship help students go deeper and take on the next challenge. Students of the same age may work at different levels. Acceleration builds on mastery, not shortcuts.

Understand.

Build secure foundations, explain the reasoning and connect new ideas to what is already known.

Investigate.

Ask questions, test ideas, discuss evidence and explore problems that do not yield to memorized routines.

Grow.

Use feedback, independent practice and thoughtful guidance to take responsibility for the next step.

Explore our teaching philosophy →

Four stages. Individual pathways.

Kindergarten

JK and SK Early foundations, curiosity and exploration.

Elementary

Grades 1–4 Confidence in core skills and connections across subjects.

Middle school

Grades 5–8 Deeper reasoning, growing independence and readiness for secondary study.

High school

Grades 9–12 Diploma planning, subject depth and preparation for the next destination.

Explore day school →

Rigour and breadth belong together.

Mathematics develops both curricular understanding and creative problem solving. Science emphasizes investigation and evidence. Language arts builds clear reading, writing, discussion and presentation. Arts, movement and collaboration give students other ways to create, communicate and grow. Enrichment and acceleration extend understanding without replacing essential learning. We plan around readiness, interests and goals, while respecting prerequisites, course availability and Ontario diploma requirements. Planning a particular course or university pathway? Ask us for the current course calendar, prerequisites and availability. This page describes our approach, not a promise that every course is offered every term.

ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA

Plan by entry year. Not by assumption.

Ontario’s credit requirements depend on when a student started Grade 9:

Started in 2023–24 or earlier

18 compulsory + 12 optional credits

Started in 2024–25 or later

17 compulsory + 13 optional credits

Students must also meet the provincial literacy requirement and complete 40 community-involvement hours. Online learning: For Grade 9 entrants from 2020–21 onward, two online credits form part of the 30-credit total, unless opted out or exempted. Financial literacy: Grade 9 entrants from 2025–26 onward must meet this requirement in Grade 10 Career Studies, beginning in 2026–27, with at least 70% on the financial-literacy modules. Transfers and individual circumstances require a school review. Confirm credit equivalencies and remaining requirements before choosing courses.

Official guidance, checked November 2026: Ontario diploma requirements · Online learning and opt-outs · Financial literacy

Bring the questions that matter.

Which learning needs should we address first? Where is your child ready for more? What prerequisites will their next step require? A conversation helps turn broad ambitions into a practical plan. Discuss your child’s pathway Admissions · Tuition guidance · Back to Laureates