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Academic Program

Curriculum

The academic program is designed for Canadian and international students who wish to complete or enhance their secondary school education in Europe. Every effort is made to integrate curriculum and travel in a variety of subject areas. The majority of the students are Canadian and, with the exception of the language courses, all classes are taught in English.

NJC students follow a rigorous pre-university program of study that leads to the Neuchâtel Junior College diploma and allows students to follow these academic streams:

  1. Ontario Grade 12 courses at the university preparatory level leading to the granting of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and/or entry into university in Canada, the United States and other countries.
  2. Students may prepare for the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) examinations in select subject areas that afford students the opportunity to gain university credit, or advanced standing, or both, at universities world-wide.
  3. In 2008, NJC was granted authorization by the Alberta Department of Education to offer Alberta programs. NJC is currently piloting Alberta Grade 12 diploma courses and exam preparation.

The study of French is mandatory at NJC but if you are not proficient, don't despair! We offer a non-credit French Communication & Culture class (80 minute per week) for those who do not take a Grade 12 or AP French course. Bilingual students have the opportunity to fine-tune their accent and further expand their French vocabulary through student exchanges and conversing in French in the community daily. Organized student exchanges with local schools enrich the students' overall experience.

The academic year is divided into two semesters. Students are required to undertake not less than six or more than eight credit courses during a full year program. Students at the College for only one semester may study a minimum of three courses and a maximum of four.

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Neuchâtel Junior College Diploma Requirements

The NJC diploma is based on the successful completion of six courses at the Grade 12 or AP level coupled with successful completion of a pre-university high school program. In addition, a student must meet the following criteria:

  1. Achieve an academic average from courses studied at the College of greater than 75%.
  2. Fulfill the requirements of the French language program with regular attendance and satisfactory performance in French Communication & Culture classes and cultural excursions.
  3. Establish a good relationship with his/her pension family.
  4. Engage in a significant extra-curricular commitment, whether at the College or in the wider community.
  5. Demonstrate increased cultural sensitivity and global awareness through service to others and leadership.
  6. Demonstrate commitment and growth in the College’s international and travel programs, and complete cross curricular travel assignments.
  7. Participate in a minimum of three of “défis” – physical and outdoor pursuits, offered over the course of the school year.
  8. Attend Personal and Social Development (PSD) sessions and complete a personal growth journal.
  9. Complete workshops in travel safety, first aid and mountain safety as offered by NJC.
  10. Complete an end of year cumulative statement of reflection.
Semester only students may qualify for the NJC International Certificate if they meet the above requirements in a single semester.

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Ontario Students

Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements

Student must earn the following compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD):

18 Compulsory Credits

Plus one credit from each of the following groups:

In addition to the compulsory credits, students must complete:

*A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course. **A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education can count as compulsory credits. ***May include up to four credits achieved through approved Dual Credit courses.

In addition, as part of the OSSD requirements, students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities. These activities may be completed at any time during their years in the secondary school program and, unless there are extraordinary special circumstances, students are required to have completed them prior to their arrival at Neuchâtel Junior College and to provide appropriate documentation for inclusion in the OSR.

As well, as part of the OSSD requirements, all students must successfully take the literacy test for secondary schools (OSSLT) as prescribed by the Province of Ontario. Students normally take this test when they are in Grade 10, and, unless there are extraordinary special circumstances, students are required to have successfully taken the test prior to their arrival at Neuchâtel Junior College.

Entrance to university requires the successful completion of the 30 credits, at the appropriate level (University or University/College Preparation) comprising the OSSD. Nevertheless, most students at Neuchâtel Junior College will have acquired more than the minimum 30 credits comprising the OSSD when they graduate.

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Quebec Students

Students from Quebec qualify for entrance into Neuchâtel Junior College once they have obtained Le Diplôme d’Études Secondaires. Students who successfully complete four Grade 12 courses are eligible to receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD); however NJC requires that Quebec students take seven courses in the full-year program. This is important for students who are interested in an accelerated route to university in Quebec (or elsewhere) and wish to bypass the CEGEP system.

Entrance to most universities requires the successful completion of seven Grade 12 credits, one of which must be English, as well as Le Diplôme d’Études Secondaires. Of the seven Grade 12 credits undertaken at NJC, students must ensure that they meet the specific prerequisite requirements of the university program to which they intend to apply.

In addition, as part of the OSSD requirements, students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities. These activities may be completed at any time during their years in the secondary school program and, unless there are extraordinary special circumstances, students are required to have completed them prior to their arrival at Neuchâtel Junior College.

As well, as part of the OSSD requirements, all students must successfully take the literacy test for secondary schools as prescribed by the Province of Ontario. Quebec students take this test while at NJC.

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Canadian Students Outside of Ontario & Quebec and International Students

Canadian students outside of Ontario & Quebec, as well as International students, may attend NJC either in their final year of high school to obtain their Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or following graduation from high school for a year or semester of enrichment to further prepare for university.

Entrance to most universities requires the successful completion of six Grade 12 credits, one of which must be English. Of the six Grade 12 credits undertaken at NJC, students must ensure that they meet the specific prerequisite requirements of the university program to which they intend to apply.

Students who have already graduated from high school may, if they obtain six Grade 12 credits at NJC, use these credits to qualify for university entrance. Students should, however, confirm the requirements of academic eligibility with the registrar of the universities they wish to attend.

In addition, as part of the OSSD requirements, students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities. These activities may be completed at any time during their years in the secondary school program and, unless there are extraordinary special circumstances, students are required to have completed them prior to their arrival at Neuchåtel Junior College.

As well, as part of the OSSD requirements, all students must successfully take the literacy test for secondary schools as prescribed by the Province of Ontario. Students from outside of Ontario take this test while at NJC.

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Faculty

Our faculty come from across Canada and elsewhere and are selected on the basis of their experience as educators, advanced degrees in their disciplines, work experience beyond the classroom, a personal familiarity with world travel, and their willingness to participate fully in every aspect of College life. The teacher-student relationship is unusually close since teachers are not only instructors in the classroom, but also personal tutors as required, chaperones on excursions, coaches during competitions, and mentors in every circumstance.

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Advisor Program

Each student has a faculty advisor as a point of contact and support to help guide him/her in matters relating to academic progress and day-to-day activities.

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Student Leadership Program

Students have opportunities to be involved in a variety of leadership initiatives including the Foyer Executive and Committee, which organize student activities, as well as a Leaders Program where students take on a variety of responsibilities at the school. Student leaders must apply, with selection completed by the end of September each academic year.

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College Guidance Services

The College Guidance team consists of our Director of University Guidance & Counselling and a Guidance Administrator. Careful attention is paid to the needs of each individual student.

The Guidance Office at Neuchâtel Junior College provides services in:

  1. Career and University planning (University program requirements, University applications, interest & aptitude testing, scholarships & bursaries, résumé writing, and interview skills)
  2. Academic Counselling (course selection, study skills)
  3. Personal Counselling

Personal and Social Development (PSD)

All students must attend bi-weekly sessions of Personal & Social Development to review issues such as university admission, substance abuse, stress management, and general wellness.

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Technological & Library Resources

The Resource Centre

The Resource Centre comprises both a print library (books, magazines, journals), computer work stations with extensive online research capacity, and laptop network access. All students are required to sign an acceptable use policy for network use and access. Currently, approximately 80% of students bring their own laptops; NJC provides the appropriate configuration details to ensure accessibility to the network throughout the campus.

The Resource Centre is jointly managed by a librarian, who assists students in carrying out their research, and a computer network administrator.

In addition, NJC students may use the research facilities of the Université de Neuchâtel.

The Peter Mitchelson Publishing Centre

The Peter Mitchelson Publishing Centre is where students produce various publications. A student-based publishing club integrates photography, school newspaper, and the yearbook.

Centre d’Etudes

NJC’s Centre d’Etudes opened in the Winter of 2005, providing students with a space for quiet study and leisure, periodical reference, and wireless network access. The Centre also features group workstations and an interactive smartboard.

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Awards

At graduation each June, Neuchâtel Junior College’s awards ceremony recognizes student excellence in a number of areas.

The Governor General’s Medal is awarded to the student who attains the highest academic standing in the full year pre-university Grade 12 program and graduates with an OSSD.

The Principal’s Academic Medal is awarded to the student who attains the highest overall academic standing in the full year pre-university program and completes the NJC Diploma.

The Leonard Wilde Award, named after the College’s founder, is given to the student who has contributed the most to the life and spirit of NJC and who reflects the academic and international objectives established by Mr. Wilde. The winner of this highest award is selected by faculty and students.

Students graduating with an overall average of 80% or higher in six Grade 12 courses are nominated for the Ontario Scholarship Award.

School awards are given to students for superior performance in particular subject areas as well as for extra-curricular activities. These include athletic, valedictorian, and other awards throughout all academic disciplines.

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Ontario Grade 12 Courses

The following credit courses are normally offered subject to adequate demand and may vary between semesters. All Grade 12 courses are offered at the University Preparation level.

Core Grade 12 course offerings include:

To enrich our programs, keeping in mind both our excellent location in Europe for travel, we also offer a number of elective Grade 12 courses, including:

Non-Credit Courses

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Advanced Placement (AP)

AP is developed by the College Board in conjunction with high schools, colleges, and universities. This program provides rigorous university/college level curriculum for students in their last years of high school. After an examination in May of each year, students submit their grades to universities and may qualify for university credit or advanced placement. Regardless of university recognition, AP provides students with enriched curriculum as they prepare for university.

NJC has offered AP options and exam opportunities to students for a number of years; however there has been a marked increase in participation in recent years within Canadian independent schools and international schools. The program is central to the school’s mission of university preparation. AP is designed for motivated students seeking university entrance and who are looking at earning possible university credit prior to university enrolment. The program builds on our strong tradition of university placement in North America. In some cases, NJC will offer a dedicated AP approved course in select subject areas. Enrichment year students are required to take at least one AP.

Popular AP exam choices in recent years have included:

AP examinations are written in May of each year. Following the AP examination period, students return to class for preparation for end of year internal final examinations in June.

For further information on the AP Program go to apcentral or, for Canadian universities’ AP policies, go to www.ap.ca

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Planning to Write SAT’s?

Neuchâtel Junior College is a designated Test Centre for November and December SAT test dates and will assist students who are preparing for these tests. There are also SAT test centres in Berne, Lausanne, and Geneva, all a short train-ride away from Neuchâtel.

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