About Arts Huron
The Arts Huron program is one of four designated Arts Schools in the York Region District School Board. The Arts Program at Huron Heights was awarded YRDSB program status ten years ago, and since that time, has graduated many, many students who have gone on to successful careers in the arts.
The 2009-2010 academic year has introduced significant changes to the Arts Huron program, and though admission to the program as of 2009 is by audition only, we wish to assure parents of those currently in the program and those students entering the program, that our basic philosophy of arts education will not change.
For more information on the status of current students in the program, please see Grandfathering: Arts Huron students set to graduate in 2010, 2011, 2012.
For more information on program philosophy please see Mission.
About Huron Heights Secondary School
Constructed back in 1962, the weather-worn exterior of Newmarket’s Huron Heights Secondary hides one of the most dynamic high schools in Ontario. Take a peek inside and you’ll find a school not only for students who have a passion for the arts, but also a school teeming with vitality. Championship football, volleyball, and basketball teams have established Huron as a sports leader. Dozens of specialty clubs and the largest technology department in York Region add versatility to the programs that round out the arts experience.
Audition Process, Applications, and Eligibility
Admission to the Arts Huron Program is by audition only. If your child attends any of the elementary schools listed below, or you live within the communities of Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Keswick, or Georgina (regardless of which school your child attends), he or she is eligible to attend the Arts Huron Program.
| Alexander Muir P.S. Armitage Village P.S. Black River P.S. Sutton P.S. Bogart P.S. Clearmeadow P.S. Crossland P.S. Denne P.S. Glen Cedar P.S. J.L.R. Bell P.S. Maple Leaf P.S. |
Mazo de la Roche P.S. Meadowbrook P.S. Poplar Bank P.S. Prince Charles P.S. Rogers P.S. Stonehaven E.S. Stuart Scott P.S. Terry Fox P.S. Deer Park P.S. Fairwood P.S. Jersey P.S. (JK-8) |
Keswick P.S. Lake Simcoe P.S. Lakeside P.S. R.L. Graham P.S. W.J. Watson P.S. Holland Landing P.S. Park Avenue P.S. Morning Glory P.S. Mount Albert P.S. Queensville P.S. Sharon P.S. |
Applications are available from this website, any of the elementary schools listed above, or from the main office at Huron Heights Secondary School. Auditions will take place between January 25-28, 2010. To guarantee an audition appointment, your child’s application must be received at the main office at Huron Heights Secondary School by December 18, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. There is a $20.00 non-refundable fee for each application. A student may audition for up to two arts disciplines, but must submit two separate application forms and two separate cheques for the audition fees. NOTE: NO EMAIL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
The audition process for all YRDSB system-wide arts schools is standardized. For further details concerning the audition process, please consult the “Audition” section of this web site. Audition packages will be mailed to candidates by the end of the second week of January, 2010.
A PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION will be held Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in the H.H.S.S. Auditiorium, 40 Huron Heights Drive, Newmarket, Ontario. Parents and prospective applicants will have the chance to see live performances, ask questions in a town hall setting, and meet in break out sessions with arts teachers. Seating is limited. Please arrive early.
Fees
All auditions are subject to a non-refundable $20 audition fee. (Students may audition for up to two arts disciplines. Two separate cheques for $20 and two separate audition applications are required.)
Students in the Arts Huron program will pay a program fee currently set at $100 per year.
Program Model
An Integrated Approach to Specialized Arts
Arts Huron has always been about achieving personal artistic growth within “a community of artists.” While many of our students specialize in drama, dance, music, or visual arts, many also follow a “combined major” or “triple threat” program. Both staff and students define Arts Huron as an “Integrated Arts Program” where we believe the experience and learning from other art disciplines is the foundation for building fully rounded artists and life-long lovers of the arts.
Certification Requirements
The Arts Huron model requires students to achieve a minimum of eight (8) credits in their arts major in order to receive the York Region District School Board Certificate of Arts Specialization. In addition to the cumpulsory credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, students must:
- Take take two congregated classes in their arts major in year one (Grade 9).
- In year two (Grade 10), students will take the “core” course in their major, one congregated class in their major, and one “elective” in an arts minor.*
- In year three (Grade11), students will take the “core” course in their major, plus a minimum of one congregated course in their major. In Grade 11, students may now opt to pursue a “double major” or “triple threat” certification in lieu of an arts specialization accreditation. Note that “double major accreditation” will require a minimum of 6 credits + 6 credits in each major. A “triple threat” accreditation requires 5 + 5+ 5 credits in each of three arts disciplines. Successful completion of the core arts courses in grades 10, 11, and 12 are required for a double major or triple threat accreditation.
- In year four (Grade 12) students will take the “core” course in their major plus any optional congregated or integrated arts courses required to fulfill their certification requirement.
* The arts minor elective may be deferred until grade 11, but it is recommended that those students who intend to double major or triple threat take the course in their grade 10 year. The arts minor elective is an entry level dance, drama, music, or visual arts course offered at the grade 9 or 10 level.
In order to receive the York Region District School Board Certificate of Specialization in the Arts, each student must maintain a minimum 70% grade in EACH arts course he or she takes.
Note: In addition, Arts Huron students are expected to maintain a minimum annual AVERAGE of 60% in all non-arts courses taken at Huron Heights. Arts Huron students are also expected to maintain a “model” attendance record.
Students struggling with any aspect of the expectations—either academic or attendance– are identified by teachers and the Arts Huron Coordinator as early as possible and parents/guardians are advised. A student growth plan is developed by the student and the teacher, in consultation with the parent, the guidance counselor, the Arts Huron Coordinator and the vice-principal. The student’s progress is reviewed at each reporting cycle.
A student deemed at-risk who does not address concerns from the student growth plan by the end of the semester will be placed on “probation,” and referred to the in-school team. At the in-school team meeting between the student, parents, teachers, Arts Huron Coordinator and vice-principal, specific expectations will be outlined and a support/monitoring process will be established.
If, by year’s end, the student has failed to meet the minimum academic requirements of the Arts Huron program, the student will be subject to any or all of the following.
- Suspension from the program which would require the student to take a one year “hiatus” from the program, and then, if he or she is still interested in rejoining the Arts Huron program, the student will be required to re-audition and petition the co-ordinator for readmission.
- Academic/behavioural Probation: The student will be granted an additional semester or two semesters to improve grades or attendance. Improvement will lead to full program reinstatement, while a failure to improve will result in withdrawal from the program.
- Permanent Withdrawal
Please Note: It must be emphasized that every effort will be made to ensure the success of every student in the Arts Huron Program. Our understanding from other arts schools is that very few students are asked to leave the arts program, and that those who are required to withdraw often have already made their own decision to leave as witnessed by their patterns of attendance or declining academic achievement.
Program Course Selection
Three different pathways towards the YRDSB Certificate of Specialization in the Arts are available.
Certificate of Specialization (One Arts Discipline):
| Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts Major (Congregated Core Course) | Arts Major (Integrated Core) | Arts Major (Integrated Core) | Arts Major (Integrated Core) |
| Arts Major (Congregated Course) | Arts Major (Congregated) | Arts Major (Congregated) | Arts Major (Congregated) |
| English | Arts Minor (Integrated Core)* | English | English |
| Mathematics | English | Mathematics | Elective |
| Science | Mathematics | Elective | Elective |
| Canadian Geography | Science | Elective | Elective |
| French | History | Elective | Elective |
| Physical Education | Civics/Careers | Elective | Elective |
* May be deferred to Grade 11 if the student does not intend to double major or triple threat.
Certificate of Specialization: Double Major
| Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts Major (Congregated Core Course) | Arts Major (Integrated Core) | Arts Major (Integrated Core) | Arts Major (Integrated Core) |
| Arts Major (Congregated Course)** | Arts Major (Congregated) | Arts Major (Congregated) | Arts Major (Congregated) |
| English | Arts Minor (Integrated Core)* | English | English |
| Mathematics | English | Mathematics | Arts Major 2 (Congregated) |
| Science | Mathematics | Elective | Elective |
| Canadian Geography | Science | Arts Major 2 (Integrated) | Elective |
| French | History | Arts Major 2 (Congregated) | Elective |
| Physical Education | Civics/Careers | Elective | Elective |
*Counts towards co-major requirement.
**Arts Huron music students are assessed and placed in appropriate instructional levels. Arts Huron music students have congregated classes in grades 9 and 10, and then in Grades 11 and 12, are streamed according to ability into various ensembles.
Certificate of Specialization: Triple Threat
| Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts Major T1 (Congregated Core Course) | Arts Major T1 (Integrated Core) | Arts Major T1 (Integrated Core) | Arts Major T1 (Integrated Core) |
| Arts Major T1 (Congregated Course) | Arts Major T1 (Congregated) | Arts Major T2 (Integrated Core) | Arts Major T2 (Integrated) |
| English | Arts Minor T2(Integrated Core)* | English | English |
| Mathematics | English | Mathematics | Arts Major T3 (Integrated) |
| Science | Mathematics | Prerequisite | Senior Level Course |
| Canadian Geography | Science | Arts Major T3 (Integrated) | Senior Level Course |
| French | History | Arts Major T2 (Congregated) | Arts Major T2 (Congregated) |
| Physical Education | Civics/Careers | Arts Major T3 (Integrated Grade 11 Core) | Arts Major T3 (Congregated) |
*Counts towards triple threat requirement
Triple Threat designation requires a minimum of:
- Six credits in the student’s auditioned major (“T1”)
- Five credits in the student’s second major (“T2”)
- Four credits in the student’s third major (“T3”)
- Integrated Core Courses
- are designated as open level courses in grades 9 through 12 or may be designated as “M” courses in grades 11 and 12. Core courses will have a composition of Arts Huron subject specialists and regular stream students.
- Congregated Courses
- are comprised of Arts Huron students. In some instances, high achieving students from regular stream courses may be invited to join a congregated class to ensure minimum registration for the course to run is achieved.
Students and parents should be aware that though double major and triple threat programs can be achieved in four years of high school, we believe well-rounded artists benefit from a well-rounded education. Students considering a double major or triple threat certification may wish to consider an education plan spread over 4.5-5 academic years.
Theatre Technology
Arts Huron has a well-deserved reputation for producing successful theatre technicians. Students who are interested in Theatre production are not auditioned for the Arts Huron Program, but work with the Arts Huron Program in an associated stream.
If your child is interested in theatre technology and Huron Heights is not your child’s home school, please contact our Guidance Department to discuss the possibility of a school transfer.
Students enter Arts Huron Theatre Technology through the regular arts stream. Theatre technicians are expected to take all four drama core courses, plus drama production courses, and the set construction courses offered through the Huron Heights Technology Department.
Still have questions? Check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
