The first step in planning your future is to obtain a high school diploma.

A graduation booklet is downloadable from the Manitoba Department of Education website. Below are some highlights from that publication.

"Planning for high school takes place over time and involves many decisions. As a Senior Years student, you will enroll in one of Manitoba’s high school diploma programs—for example, the Senior Years English Program or the Senior Years French Immersion Program. Each program has certain compulsory and optional requirements.

Beginning in Senior 1 (Grade 9) and continuing through Senior 4 (Grade 12), you will earn credits toward high school graduation through the courses you take. To obtain your Manitoba high school diploma, you must accumulate a minimum of 28 credits from a combination of compulsory courses and optional courses. Students entering grade 9 in the coming year, will require 30 credits to graduate.

• A compulsory course is a course that you must take.

• An optional course, sometimes called an elective, is a course that you may take.

Some courses are full credits, while others are half credits.

Compulsory Subject Areas:

"In high school, you will continue to take compulsory courses in

» English language arts

» mathematics

» physical education and health education

» science

» social studies"

Credit Options That Schools May Offer:

"The types of optional courses offered in schools vary widely, depending on student needs and available resources.

Typical Areas:

You may be able to accumulate optional course credits in areas such as:

» arts (art, drama, music)

» business education and marketing

» computer education

» industrial arts/technology education

» languages

» social sciences (home economics)

Special-Interest Areas:

Optional courses may be offered in special-interest areas such as:

» career education

» psychology

» religion

» outdoor education"

For more information about Manitoba's graduation requirements and credit options, visit the Manitoba Education, Citizenship andYouth website at:

www.edu.gov.mb.ca/ks4/docs/parents/grad/