Skip to Content
  • Students
  • Parents
  • Staff
  • Careers
  • Report a Problem
  • Book School Spaces
  • Find a Job
  • Find a School
  • Find Student Busing
  • Register for School
  • Report an Absence
  • Report a Problem
  • Request a Transcript
  • Take the COVID-19 Self-Assessment
  • View Events Calendar
  • Volunteer

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Logo Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Logo Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Logo

Contact Us
  • Our Schools
    • Alternative and Continuing Education
    • Attendance and Absences
    • Book School Spaces
    • Buses and Transportation
    • Child Care and Early Years Programs
    • COVID-19
    • Find a School
    • News and Announcements
    • Kindergarten
    • Register for School
    • School Calendars
    • School Cash Online
    • Summer School
    • Transcripts
    • Volunteering
    Equity, Diversity and [\n] Inclusion
    Equity, Diversity and
    Inclusion
  • Learning and Programs
    • Accessibility and Human Rights
    • Alternative and Continuing Education
    • Arts Programs
    • Athletics
    • Character Development
    • Child Care and Early Years Programs
    • eLearning and Edsby
    • Elementary Programs
    • English Language Learners (ELL)
    • French Immersion
    • Indigenous Education
    • International Students
    • Kindergarten
    • Literacy
    • Math and Numeracy
    • Outdoor Education
    • Secondary Programs
    • Special Education
    • Summer School
    • Virtual Learning
  • Student and Family Support
    • Bullying Prevention
    • Child Care and Early Years Programs
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Citizenship
    • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Support
    • Mental Health and Well-being
    • News and Announcements
    • Nutrition
    • Parent Corner
    • Report a Problem
    • Safe and Caring Schools
    • School Councils
    • Special Education
    • Student Portal
    • Volunteering
    • What's Happening
  • Our Board
    • About Us
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Board and Committee Meetings
    • Board of Trustees
    • Business and Financial Documents
    • Careers
    • Commissioner's Office of Human Rights, Equity & Accessibility
    • Contact Us
    • Freedom of Information
    • Information and Communication Technology
    • KPR News
    • Partnerships
    • Plans and Reports
    • Policies and Regulations
    • Purchasing
    • Senior Administration
    • Strategic Planning
    • Student Leadership
×

Specialist High Skills Major

HomeLearning and ProgramsSecondary ProgramsSpecialist High Skills Major
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Specialist High Skills Major

What is a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)?

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized program that allows students to gain credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and focus their learning on a specific economic sector at the same time. The SHSM is a Ministry of Education approved program.

Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma when they:

  • complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student's selected field
  • earn industry certifications like first aid and CPR qualifications
  • gain important skills on the job through cooperative education placements

All KPR high schools offer multiple SHSM programs. Please contact the guidance department at your student's high school to find out which programs are currently being offered. Examples of different programs offered throughout KPR include:

  • Arts and culture
  • Business
  • Construction
  • Environment
  • Health and wellness
  • Hospitality and tourism
  • Information and communication technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Sports
  • Transportation

Pursuing an SHSM can help students:

  • customize their high school education to suit their interests and talents
  • develop specialized knowledge and skills
  • earn credits that postsecondary educational institutions and employers recognize
  • gain sector-recognized certification and career-relevant training
  • engage in STEM-related activities that develop innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship
  • identify, explore and refine career goals and make informed decisions about their future
  • transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace
  • remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways, should their goals and plans change

Specialist High Skills Major Parent Guide

Learning and Programs
  • Secondary Programs
    • Advanced Placement
    • Cooperative Education
    • Community Involvement Hours
    • Dual Credit Program
    • Grade 8 Information Nights
    • Guidance and Career Planning
    • International Baccalaureate
    • Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
    • Specialist High Skills Major
  • View full Learning and Programs menu
    • Accessibility and Human Rights
    • Alternative and Continuing Education
      • Centres For Individual Studies
      • Correspondence Courses
      • International and Indigenous Language Program
      • School for Young Moms
    • Arts Programs
      • Arts Events
    • Athletics
      • Concussion Resources
      • Kawartha District Athletics
      • Kawartha Pine Ridge Elementary Athletics Association
        • Basketball
        • Cross Country
        • Flag Rugby
        • Track and Field
        • Ultimate Disc
        • Volleyball
    • Character Development
    • Child Care and Early Years Programs
    • eLearning and Edsby
    • Elementary Programs
      • Balanced Day
      • Gifted Education
    • English Language Learners (ELL)
    • French Immersion
      • Core French
      • Diplome d'etudes en langue francaise
      • Extended French
    • Indigenous Education
      • Anishinaabemowin Language Program
      • First Nation, Métis and Inuit Self-Identification
      • Holistic Approach to Indigenous Education
      • Passport to Reconciliation
      • Principles of Indigenous Education
      • The Indigenous Education Department
    • International Students
      • International Student Application
    • Kindergarten
      • Getting Ready for Kindergarten
      • Immunizations and Children's Health
    • Literacy
      • Reading Recovery
    • Math and Numeracy
    • Outdoor Education
      • Goodrich Loomis Outdoor Education Centre
      • Laurie Lawson Outdoor Education Centre
      • Warsaw Outdoor Education Centre
      • Wilmot Creek Outdoor Education Centre
    • Special Education
      • Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
      • Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
      • Services and Programs
        • Applied Behavioural Analysis and Behaviour Services
        • Attendance and Counselling Services
        • Blind and Low Vision
        • Deaf and Hard of Hearing
        • Dedicated Spaces
        • Education and Community Partnership Program
        • Learning and Life Skills Program
        • Psychological Services
        • Special Education Program Delivery Model
        • Special Education Resources
        • Specialized Equipment and Assistive Technology
        • Speech and Language Services
        • Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
        • Transportation for Special Education
      • Special Education Advisory Committee
      • Special Education Plan
      • Who We Are
    • Summer School
    • Virtual Learning

Contact Us

Danielle Moher
Instructional Leadership Consultant: Pathways SHSM/Student Success
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board 1994 Fisher Dr. Peterborough, ON K9J 6X6

T. 705-742-9773 x2050
Toll-Free: 1-877-741-4577
Send email to Instructional Leadership Consultant

Subscribe To Page Updates

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board footer logo

Kawartha Pine Ridge District
School Board

1994 Fisher Drive
Peterborough ON K9J 6X6

Phone: 705-742-9773

Toll Free: 1-877-741-4577

Fax: 705-742-7801

Send an Email

  • Our Schools
  • Learning and Programs
  • Student and Family Support
  • Our Board
  • View our Twitter Page Twitter
  • View our Facebook Page Facebook
  • View our YouTube Page YouTube
  • View our Instagram Page Instagram
© 2022 Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB
Designed by GHD Digital
  • Accessibility
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.