Program Areas

The Pembina Trails Alternative High School offers Manitoba Curriculum courses at the grade 12 level. Students access the required credits as well as option courses to complete their regular high school diploma or their mature student high school diploma.

Course Descriptions:

Compulsory Courses

ELA40S: English offers a wide range of language experiences, focusing on both literary and transactional texts.  Students will continue to develop communication skills by considering a variety of forms, including drama, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction prose. Students will write the Provincial Exam. 

MES40S: Essential Mathematics is a course which emphasizes consumer applications, problem solving, decision making and spatial sense.  It is intended for those students whose post-secondary planning does not include a focus on mathematics and science related fields.  Students will write the Provincial Exam. 

***if you are interested in MAP40S or MPC40S please let us know.

Optional Courses

ART40S: Art – This course is structured as a combination of field trips, workshops, and individual art projects. Students are encouraged to experiment with different art mediums to explore and express their perspective on a particular theme. All art field trips, workshops, and projects will include a reflection or artist statement.  

BIO40S: Biology is a life science course with an emphasis on genetics and biodiversity.  Topics of study include inheritance, evolutionary theory, organization and conservation of biodiversity. This course helps students to develop skills, ideas, and confidence to continue studies at the post-secondary level.

CHEM40S: Chemistry builds upon knowledge from grade 10 and 11 chemistry including balancing equations and using stoichiometry to relate volume, mass, and mole measurements. These skills will be used to explore aqueous reactions, atomic structure, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibrium and electrochemis try. This course helps students to develop skills, ideas, and confidence to continue studies at the post secondary level.

CWMH40S: Cinema as a Witness to Modern History - This course deals with historical events and themes that have influenced world history over the last hundred years. Significant historical events explored in film include, but are not limited to, World War I, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, the Holocaust, World War II, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Iranian Revolution and the Rwandan Genocide. Throughout the course, students will enrich their understanding of the past as they view and deconstruct films based on major topics in world history.   This course is a combination of in-class and at home film viewing.  

FN40S: Foods and Nutrition 40S  will provide students with opportunities that explore their relationships with food in both a theoretical and practi cal way that can enhance one’s health and well-being. It provides knowledge and skills that have immediate relevance to students’ lives, as well as lifelong applications personally, within families, in their com munities and on a global scale.  Students will complete outcomes in our classroom, a foods lab on campus at the University of Manitoba, through the food handlers’ course, and through field trips.

FS40S: Family Studies – This course provides skills and knowledge in the areas of personal development, relationships, parenthood, and diversity in families. Students have the opportunity to increase their exposure and knowledge as to how individuals and families function in society during differ ent stages in the life cycle. This course is run in a seminar format which includes guest speakers and group discussions. Seminar topics have included, healthy relationships, mental health, 2SLBGTQ+ themes, adulting, the brain and financial literacy. 

FNMI40S: First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Studies – This course explores the histories, traditions, cultures, world views and contemporary issues of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and worldwide. Students will use critical thinking and inquiry skills to better understand past and present realities of Indigenous Peoples. The course focuses on identity, relations with government, social justice issues and Indigenous people around the world. This course is a blend of coursework and experiential learning. Students have opportunities for cultural learning with various field trips, workshops led by our knowledge keeper and access to Miigizi Agamik on Campus at the University of Manitoba.

Law 40S: Law – This course focuses on basic legal principles and practices in Canada’s legal system. The course focuses on the foundations of law, criminal law, civil law and family law. It examines the Canadian legal system, torts, contracts, property rights, and Indigenous perspectives on justice. In addition to under standing the relevance of law in everyday life, the outcomes of this course are aimed at helping students de velop critical thinking skills and form personal opinions on contemporary legal issues.

LWT40S: Life/Work Transition is designed with the realities of today's workplace needs in mind. It is about managing life, learning and work. This course explores employability skills, goalsetting and career options for a smoother transition from high school to post-secondary education, training or employment. The practi cal components of the course include resume writing, job application strategies, and interview preparation. If employed, 80 hours of a student’s work experience can be used as part of this credit.  

PE40F: Physical Education focuses on the importance of both health education and physical education. This course gives you the opportunity to learn more about your self and encourages you to make more informed decisions about healthy living. The course content focuses on social development, healthy relationships, nutrition and regular activity. Students will have access to the U of M Active Living Center and fitness classes if they wish. 

PSY40S: Psychology – This course exposes students to the major topics found in the field of psychology. It also emphasizes the issues that are of particular interest and relevance to students completing high school. Studying psychology gives students lifelong skills such as dealing with issues proactively, solving problems, and nurturing healthy relationships. It helps students understand themselves, and deal with issues in their own lives such as inner conflicts, relationships with par ents and peers, and intimacy. It also helps students understand societal problems like drug dependency, aggression, and discrimination. Units include research methods, biopsychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and variations in individual and group behaviour. 

SCI(1)40S: Interdisciplinary Topics in Science focuses on inquiry into science and integrates not only the sciences but looks to other curricula to support the attainment of outcomes and skills. 

WR40S — World Religions – This course explores the diversity of religions and religious perspectives in Canada and globally. The course is intended to help students develop greater awareness, understanding and appreciation of several world religions, specifically, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indigenous spirituality. Additionally, students explore the similarities and differences across religions, and the historical and continued significance of religious diversity in Manitoba, Canada and the world. 

Other Ways to Earn Credits

CFE (30G, 35G, 40G, 45G): Credit for Employment allows students to earn high school credit for paid work experience, to encourage and recognize the skills development and experience gained through employment.  Students may earn a maximum of 2 CFE credits towards graduation.

COSE (41G): Community Service Credit, up to one high school community service credit may be earned, and used for graduation purposes. If you would like to achieve this credit by volunteering for an outside organization please speak with one of your teachers.  One credit may be available to a student who participates in such an activity in the Senior Years for graduation purposes. Full credits are 110 hours, half credits are 55 hours of volunteer hours.

CULTEX (41G): Cultural Exploration Credit students can gain valuable educational experience by enhancing their knowledge of their own cultural origins or a cultural group that interests them through interaction with community members such as Elders and members of cultural organizations. The skills, knowledge, and attitudes obtained from such activities can increase a student’s self-esteem and maturity, strengthen cultural identity, and/or provide greater intercultural understanding and an appreciation of cultural diversity. One credit may be available to a student who participates in such an activity in the Senior Years for graduation purposes. Full credits are 110 hours, half credits are 55 hours.

CDI (35G):  Career Development Internship Credit there can be opportunities within the faculties of the University of Manitoba for internship opportunities which total 55 hours leading to a half credit.

RIT (10S, 15S, 20S, 25S, 30S, 35S): Reading is Thinking is designed to help students improve their skills in reading and critical thinking.  Programming is individualized, focusing on students’ needs and interests.  Students may earn up to three credits in Reading is Thinking. This course is pass/fail; students receive credit based on their demonstrated achievement of learning goals.

INFORM NET: Students have the opportunity of taking Inform Net courses online if they require courses outside of their regular classroom schedule.  Inform Net offers core courses at the grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 levels, as well as a limited number of optional courses.  Their website has the most up to date information on course availability. More information can be found on their website at  www.informnet.mb.ca

MITT Manitoba Institute for Trades and Technology:  Students from AHS are eligible to attend MITT and earn credits towards high school graduation. Students usually attend for half days, returning to AHS for academic courses during the other half day.  Programs available at MITT may include: Auto Mechanics, Culinary Arts and Design, Electrical Applications, Graphic and Print Technician, Hairstyling, Industrial Electronics, and Industrial Welding.

TVE Technical Vocational Education at Pembina Trails Collegiate:  Students from AHS are eligible to attend TVE programming with a new, state-of-the-art facility featuring modern labs, professional equipment, and industry-aligned workshops. Students will learn in an advanced environment that supports hands-on skill development, safety, collaboration, and preparation for post-secondary training and apprenticeship path ways.   TVE offers apprenticeship-aligned training in Welding, Machining, Culinary Arts, and Pastry Arts. These im mersive programs support multiple pathways, including direct workforce entry, continued study at Red River Community Program (RRCP), or progression toward Red Seal and technical careers.  Student would attend AHS in first semester to complete their core courses and attend the TVE program in semester two for full days.