SHSM

Specialist High Skills Majors in the HWDSB and Glendale

In HWDSB, and in high schools across Ontario, Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSMs) let students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) by completing a set of courses in the student’s selected field, earning valuable industry certifications (such as First Aid) and gaining important skills on the job with employers. In this way, some SHSMs offer what would be formerly referred to as vocational education.

Glendale offers SHSMs in Transportation, Non-Profit, Business and Arts & Culture.

Arts and Culture SHSM

Glendale Arts (GA)

Glendale’s Arts (GA)  continues to grow and engage students interested in the arts and train them professionally to enter the world of work, university, college, and additional training programs.

The Specialist High Skills Major or SHSM for short is a focused program which allows students to develop skills and earn industry-recognized credentials in the Arts sector while also meeting the requirements for a secondary school graduation diploma.  Courses included in this program include: dance, drama, instrumental music – both strings and wind, media arts, theatre production, visual arts and vocal classes which are also open to all Glendale students.

When you become an Arts SHSM student, you have the amazing opportunity to participate in professionally led workshops and training programs.  Some of our most recent workshops have included: Cirque Du Soleil workshop, Theatrical Rigging with Theatre Arcturus, HD Studios, Theatrical Makeup, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Sound Design, Stage Combat – armed and unarmed, Spiderman Turn Off The Dark choreography, and Acting Technique & Choreography led by the lead choreographers for Disney’s travelling production of Mary Poppins and Beauty & the Beast at Disney World Florida, Saratoga Springs Theatre.

Our Arts & Culture SHSM students have the opportunity to be part of large scale productions like Fame 2016, Tarzan 2015, Midsummer Night’s Dream 2014, Peter Pan A Musical Adventure 2013, Ten Miles Out – a Glendale Secondary School legacy Project (recipient of YMCA Peace Medal and Trust & Reconciliation Committee recognition), AIDA The Timeless Love Story and Grease 2010.  They have also participated in:  Stratford Festival Shakespeare Competition,  Niagara’s Best Dance Crew, HWDSB Bandfest, HWDSB Choirfest, run/participate in HWDSB Dancefest, Sears Drama Festival, several gallery exhibits in Hamilton and more.

The Arts & Culture SHSM students will take a Co-operative (Coop) education course and work with Arts professionals.  Some of our placements have been:  Hamilton Conservatory of the Arts, Sonic Unyon Studio, Rhythm Plus Dance Company, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Image Puppets, Staircase Theater, and many more.

If you would like more information on Glendale’s Arts SHSM or HWDSB Strings, or HWDSB Audition-Based Program of the Arts please contact the program lead, P. Borsc, via email [email protected] or phone:  905-560-7343 ext. 5705

Business SHSM

The Business Studies department is excited to be offering the SHSM program. This is a two-year program that begins in grade 11 and provides a focused pathway for those students who want to pursue Business Studies at the Post- Secondary level.  The Business Specialist High Skills Major is designed to provide an opportunity for students to learn skills that will enable them to be successful in business careers and as entrepreneurs, in a hands-on learning environment.

Benefits include:

  • Sector-specific knowledge, skills and certifications
  • valued by post secondary  institutions
  • post secondary “reach ahead” experiences
  • work experiences and cooperative education
  • 21st century industry standards

For further information about this program and/or to get enrolled, please contact one of the Business Studies teachers at [email protected]

Non-Profit SHSM

For more information about the Non-Profit SHSM program and potential careers related to this field, please visit https://district.hwdsb.on.ca/non-profit-shsm

Transportation SHSM

For more information about the Non-Profit SHSM program and potential careers related to this field, please visit https://district.hwdsb.on.ca/transportation-shsm