Stratford Central Secondary School

Stratford Central Secondary School

Motto	Per Spera Ad Astra
Type	Public Highschool
Established	1844
Principal	Jackie Campbell
Location	Stratford , Ontario , Canada
Campus	Downtown
Colours	Red and Green
Mascot	Gunther the Ram
Website	[1]

Stratford Central Secondary School is a Public High School in Stratford, Ontario. It is one of three main high schools in Stratford. Central is known primarily for its arts and music program, along with a variety of skilled sports teams. The new principal, Jackie Campbell, replaced former principal Laurie Langstaff at the start of the 2007 school year.

Departments

Stratford Central has many different departments that offer a variety of courses to take. More information on all of the departments can be found on the S.C.S.S website.

Business Studies

Central's business department offers a wide range of courses in the area of Business, Computer Science, Economics, Law and Co-op. If you are interested in learning more about any of the courses offered, please see the course calendar.

Canadian and World Studies

The Canadian and World Studies Department offers courses in history, geography, politics, law, economics, and civics. By studying these subjects, students learn how people interact with and within their social and physical environments today, and how they did so in the past. They gain an understanding of the basic concepts of the subjects taught at this level, and acquire the foundation for further studies in the discipline. Students of Canadian Studies develop the knowledge and values they need to become responsible, active, and informed Canadian citizens in the twenty-first century. They develop practical skills (such as critical thinking, research, and communication skills), and apply the knowledge and skills they acquire in Canadian and World Studies courses to better understand their world.

Cooperative Education and Work Experience

Cooperative Education is a program that offers students the opportunity to extend classroom learning into supervised learning experiences in the community. Students can earn diploma credits which are related to specific subjects in school. These in school subjects are prerequisites or co requisites to the cooperative studies program and can be in any subject area.

Mathematics

The Mathematics program at S.C.S.S offers a wide variety of courses to take. From basic algebra to advanced functions, the math department is well equipped to teach you the skills you need.

Science

In science at S.C.S.S, you will acquire knowledge in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth & Space. All of these strands are taught together in grades 9 and 10. Then, in grades 11 and 12 you can begin to specialize in each of these areas. Enriched science classes are also offered in junior grades.

Special Education

Stratford Central meets the needs of exceptional students in a variety of ways. Parents may request an IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) meeting to identify the students as exceptional and recommend changes or modifications necessary for the student's program. An annual review is conducted each year for students identified as exceptional. Parents are invited to attend. Special courses and programs are offered for students with learning difficulties and for gifted students.

Technological Education

The Stratford Central Technological Studies department is committed to providing our diverse student population with a dynamic and meaningful educational experience, which will prepare them for the challenges of the twenty-first century. They are committed to ensure that students receive the technical skills necessary to secure gainful employment, to continue post-secondary studies, or to pursue a combination of both. We believe that students of all abilities are entitled to pursue educational and career opportunities through a quality technical education in a supportive, respectful and safe environment.

Extra-Curricular Clubs

Stratford Central has a wide selection of Extra Curricular clubs to join.

Central Athletics Association

Central Athletic Association (C.A.A.) is comprised of Central's student athletes from grades 9 - 12. The student-run hierarchy includes executive and general members. Executive positions include Co-Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Fund Raisers and Spirit Committees. Main activities are fund raising and operating school sports teams at Central. Members volunteer their time and effort to score keeping, organize tournaments, help officiate, and all other activities required to facilitate Central's team sport programs. Major fund raisers include the annual Halloween dance and the Student-Teacher hockey game.

Environmental Club

The Environmental Club is a group of students at Central dedicated to by thinking globally and acting locally. The Environmental Club is run by the Librarian Kerry McManus, who also runs C.A.R.E Stratford,another grassroots environmental group.

Interact Club

Interact Club is affiliated with the Stratford Rotary Club and therefore are involved in a variety of service projects to help the school and the community. Fundraising projects include the Christmas Shoebox Campaign, the toonie week fundraiser, Amnesty International, soup kitchen, food drives, in-school mentoring, assisting at Rotary events, and sponsoring a child through World Vision.

Theatre Central

Theatre Central represents all drama and non-drama students who participate in extracurricular drama activities. These activities can include acting, directing, technical and various production responsibilities. Theatre Central annually produces a fall show, a Sears Drama Festival competition piece, and a spring school show. Past activities have also included a murder mystery, cabaret nights and of course, the TC Gala at the end of the year. A majority of the productions are student written and directed. The fall show especially is a great opportunity for a variety of pieces and talent to be showcased.

Music Program

The Music program at S.C.S.S is probably the schools most prominent feature, it has many different bands, all of which have won numerous awards at competitions.

Symphonic Band

Symphonic Band is the senior-level band at Stratford Central Secondary School.The Symphonic Band plays at various school functions such as Commencement, assemblies and concerts, as well as in the Stratford community and at music festivals. In the past, the Symphonic Band has toured Scotland, England, New York, Washington, Chicago, Boston and Montreal. In May 2005, the band members travelled to Scotland and England, and gave performances at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and the Tower of London. The ensemble's repertoire includes some of the major works composed for band, in addition to marches, folk songs, show tunes and pop music.

Jazz Band

The S.C.S.S Jazz Band was formed in 1990. Over the years, members of the Jazz Band have performed and competed in New York, Washington, Montreal, Chicago and at various community events in Stratford. The group recently played at the Alzheimer Society's Soup's On at the Coliseum, and at the Winterfest Big Band Swing Dance at the Victorian Inn. The Jazz Band specializes in the repertoire of the big band swing classics, as well as modern pop tunes, jazz and rock. Students study the 12-bar blues pattern, and are encouraged to improvise and to play solos.