• develop and use strategies for organizing and planning their learning;
• gain greater independence by taking increasing responsibility for their own learning;
• engage in learning experiences that vary from hands-on to more abstract activities;
• become aware of and use opportunities for learning that exist outside the school;
• understand how various areas of learning are interrelated; and
• interact with adults and their peers in curriculum-based contexts that help develop interpersonal skills and social maturation.

Grades 10-12 (Senior High School)
The overall goal of the senior high school curriculum is to enable students to achieve high school diploma, with the greatest possible opportunity to continue their education or to work in desired and appropriate fields. Throughout the senior high years students are pressed to apply the skills and knowledge learned in previous years, to enhance and develop these further in their areas of interest, and to use them in a more independent way. Students are offered a range of compulsory and elective courses as well as counselling to determine the studies that are most appropriate for their needs and abilities.

High school courses are developed at four levels:

• Honours University Preparatory Courses are designed for students with exceptional academic ability.
• University Preparatory Courses are designed for students wishing to enter university or other post-secondary institutions.
• Open Category Courses are intended to allow students to explore subjects beyond the traditional disciplines and are taken by both university bound and high school leaving students.
• High School Leaving Courses are designed for students wishing to obtain a high school leaving certificate and to proceed to employment or selected areas of post-secondary education.

In order to graduate from high school, as of 2000, students must obtain at least 18 credits in Grades 10-12, with no more than 7 credits from Grade 10 and a minimum of 5 from Grade 12. The following 14 courses (13 credits) are required and students must choose a minimum of 5 additional credits.

• Language, Communication and Expression: 3 English language arts, one in each grade (or in Acadian schools, 3 French language arts, one in each grade) and 1 fine arts (art, dance, drama or music), total of 4 credits.
• Science, Mathematics and Technology: 2 mathematics, 2 science (one biology, chemistry, integrated science, or physics and one other approved science course), 2 other courses from mathematics, science or technology (all computer related studies or industrial arts technology are eligible technology courses), total of 6 credits.
• Personal Development and Society: 1/2 credit for Physically Active Lifestyles, 1/2 credit for Career and life Management, 1 global studies (global geography or global history), 1 social studies (African Canadian Studies, economics, geography, history, or Mi'krnaq Studies), total of 3credits.
• Additional Credits: May be selected from the Nova Scotia Public School Programs and delivered through traditional classes, independent study, distance education and challenge for credit. Other courses may be locally-developed and approved for credit by the regional school board and department of education, minimum of 5 additional credits.