FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Old Scona

 

General

How is OSA different from other high schools?

Old Scona, which opened in 1908, is designated as a provincial heritage site and an International Baccalaureate School. Old Scona has 350 students. The 120 students who enter Old Scona each year are chosen from set criteria. All Grade 10 students are in a pre-IB program. The atmosphere of the school fosters close ties among students. Alumni consistently comment on the thorough preparation they have received for their post-secondary challenges.

 

Why should I send my student to Old Scona?

The combined Alberta Education and International Baccalaureate program challenges and prepares students for any post-secondary institution. With 350 students attending the school, it helps to foster a close relationship between the staff and students. It also fosters collaborative work among the students and allows them to develop close friendships.

 

What are the criteria for selecting students entering Grade 10?

Students are ranked according to the following criteria:

1)   A minimum overall average of 80% in Grade 9 English Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and French. (weighed 55%) students with no previous experience in French are expected to enroll in summer school as a minimum requirement.

2)   A writing of a standardized entrance exam (weighed 35%)

3)   A character assessment completed by a Grade 9 principal or counselor (weighed 10%)

Where do I write the standardized assessment examination?

Old Scona has at least 2 writing dates for which you must preregister by telephone (780-433-0627) or by email (ann.campbell@epsb.ca)

 

 

Does Old Scona accept everyone who meets the basic criteria automatically?

No. Old Scona can only accept 120 students. Each year we receive more than twice as many applicants as we have room for.

 

 

Is it true that high schools mark harder than junior high school?

In general, Grade 10 students’ marks decline from junior high; no matter what high school students attend. Many students have had minimal experience with written response questions, critical analysis, and essays. It takes time to learn these skills. By Grade 12, students at Old Scona usually have exceptional grades and take second place to no one.

 

 

How much homework do Old Scona students have?

It varies from subject to subject. Students can expect a minimum of 2 hours of homework/study time every night.

 

 

Is technology a focus at Old Scona?

Old Scona is dedicated to developing the skills necessary for success tomorrow and technology is one of those stills. Our school is a wireless environment where students are encouraged to bring their own laptop for use in the classroom. All of our classrooms are outfitted with LCD projectors and Smartboards to provide the opportunity for an interactive technological learning environment.

 

 

Do you have any sports teams at Old Scona?

Old Scona has several men’s and women’s athletic teams: soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, cross-country running, badminton, swimming, curling and track & field

 

 

Does Old Scona have discipline problems?

Very few; the staff works very hard to create an atmosphere in which the students can relate well to each other and are engaged in their studies.

 

What options do you have in your school?

Old Scona offers Art, Music, and Theatre Arts programs as well as a number of computer option and Speech and Debate. These programs provide students with a well-rounded education.

 

 

Where is your gymnasium? Do you offer Physical Education?

Old Scona does not have a gym. However, it offers a vibrant and exciting Physical Education program at a number of venues in the Old Strathcona area. These include gyms in nearby schools or churches as well as a variety of community sites (i.e. Tipton Arena)

 

 

Do you offer any special field trips?

Old Scona has offered various special field trips such as: spring break field trip usually to an European destination, a marine study to Vancouver Island, or a skiing/snowboarding weekend to the mountains. Two years ago, the spring break trip went to France and Italy. Last year, students went to the Galapagos and Ecuador.

 

 

 

Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

 

My child took Science 10 in junior high school does he/she have to take it again?

Old Scona’s Science 10 program is an enriched course with many student-performed laboratories. The students who took Science 10 elsewhere may be missing aspects o Biology and Chemistry that are required for their IB courses. However, they do not have to take the course again. All students pursuing IB science credits will go on to take the 3-credit Biology 35 IB, Physics 35 IB, and Chemistry 35 IB courses, which have been locally developed to enhance our IB program. Students who have successfully completed Science 10 in junior high school may enroll in Physics 20 IB.

 

 

Your facility is very small. Do students do labs in your science courses?

Yes. The science teachers at OSA use the lab, their classrooms and other spaces both in and outside of our building to provide students with the opportunity to carry out lab requirements for all programs. The International Baccalaureate program has a strong emphasis on student laboratory work, which is assessed yearly by external moderation of student portfolios.

 

 

Will I have to take all 3 sciences?

After completing Science 10, students can select a combination of Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics. Students seeking post-secondary entrance are encouraged to select 2 of the science classes; some students will try to schedule 3 sciences. For the IB Diploma, students must take Biology as it is one of three Higher Level subjects that we offer.

 

 

Can Old Scona students participate in Science Fair?

Not only do Old Scona students participate in Science Fair, but they can also present projects in the Sanofi Averntis Biotechnology Challenge, and take part in the Science Olympics. Old Scona students also participate in many national science exams, including: the Chemical Institute of Canada Chemistry Exam, the National Biology Exam, the Da Vinci, the Sir Isaac Newton, and the Canadian Association of Physicists Exams

   

 

Mathematics

 

I took Math 10 Pure in junior high school. Which Math course do I take in Grade 10?

Some students will choose to repeat Math 10 Pure because Old Scona’s Math 10 Pure is an enriched program designed to facilitate student’s entrance into the IB Math program. Students who chose not to repeat math 10 Pure will be expected to enroll in a full year Math 20 IB. all other Grade 10 students will complete Math 10 Pure in the first semester and Math 20 IB in the second semester.

 

What are the main differences between IB Math and Pure Mathematics (Alberta Curriculum)?

The Alberta curriculum is close to the Standard Level IB curriculum; however, some topics are enriched. Math 31 IB has extra units on vectors and matrices. Students are also responsible for 2 portfolio assignments that are externally moderated.

 

Does Old Scona participate in Math contests?

Yes. Old Scona has a vibrant program of math contests, where students regularly participate in the CNML series, CAYLEY, FERMAT, the Alberta High School Math Competition, and the Canadian Open Math Challenge.

 

 

English

What essential skills are students expected to bring from their English Language Arts experience in junior high?

Students should have basic writing skills-correct sentence structure, paragraphing skills, knowledge about essay structure, and knowledge of grammar, phrases, and clauses. Students should have read and studied the genres of literature: short stories, novels, poetry, and drama and should know various literary terms (e.g. symbol, irony, and theme)

 

What can my child expect from the English Language Arts 10-I program at Old Scona?

Students are prepared for the English IB with the standard curriculum from Alberta Learning. The focus is on literary analysis of short stories, novels, poetry, film, drama, and essays. To prepare students for the IB program, emphasis is placed on reading, writing, and oral skills. As students progress in the IB diploma program, English is on of the 3 higher level subjects they will take.

 

 

Social Studies and History

What is the focus of the Social Studies 10-I program at Old Scona?

Students will receive the Alberta Learning curriculum which is “Globalization”. Emphasis will be placed on learning skills in writing: paragraphs, analysis, essay writing, and student-centered inquiry. As students progress in the IB diploma program, Social Studies is one of the 3 higher level IB subjects that students can enroll in.

 

 

French

I have not taken French in junior high school. Can I still apply to Old Scona?

Yes, you can still apply. Grade 10 students who have not taken French are required to take an enriched French 10 (3Y) course at summer school that will be available at Strathcona Composite High School. A tutor is recommended. Once complete, students will then be enrolled in French 10 (9Y) at Old Scona.

I have been in French immersion for the past several years. Will the French program meet my needs?

Old Scona des not offer an immersion program. However, several former immersion students attend our school. They should read independently and undertake individual study in order to maintain their French. In rare cases, highly successful students enter the French 30 IB program directly. Superior oral and written proficiency skills are required.

 

 

Fine Arts

What Find Arts courses do you offer?

Old Scona offers many options: Art 10/20/30, Instrumental Music 10/20/30, Choral Music 10/20/30, Drama 10/20/30, and Musical Theatre 15/25/35., students in Grade 11 can take regular Art, Music, Musical Theatre, and Drama courses as well as IB Music and IB Drama.

 

Can students take music/drama if they are enrolled in a full IB diploma program?

Yes, we provide scheduling options that allow students to access Fine Arts courses throughout the three years of senior high school.

 

Does Old Scona supply instruments?

Yes. Old Scona has rental instruments. The nominal EPS rental fee of $100.00 is charged.

 

Does OSA have performing groups?

Old Scona has a Concert Band, a Jazz Band, and a Choral Choir as well as a Musical Theatre class. All extra curricular groups are made up of students from Grade 10, 11, 12.