Grade 9 and 10 Course Choices That Determine Engineering Eligibility in Ontario High Schools

The Fork Moved to Grade 10

Ontario destreamed Grade 9 math in September 2021. Every Grade 9 student now takes the same course, MTH1W, instead of splitting into academic and applied sections on day one. The choice that used to happen in Grade 9 now happens a year later, in Grade 10.

This matters for engineering because Ontario engineering programs build their prerequisites on the academic, university-stream courses all the way through Grade 12. Pick the applied stream in Grade 10 and the path closes unless you add extra courses afterward.

Why the Old Grade 9 Split Made This Harder

Before September 2021, Ontario Grade 9 students chose between academic (MPM1D) and applied (MFM1P) math before they had a full year of high school grades to judge the choice by. Research linked that early split to lower-income and racialized students landing in the applied stream more often, narrowing options before Grade 10 even started.

Destreaming removed that early sorting point. Every Grade 9 student now sits in the same math classroom, which means the Grade 10 choice carries more weight than it used to, since it is now the first real fork in the road.

Grade 10: Academic Math and Science Keep the Door Open

Grade 10 math splits into two courses: MPM2D (Principles of Mathematics, academic) and MFM2P (Foundations of Mathematics, applied). Only MPM2D leads into the Grade 11 and 12 university-stream math courses engineering programs ask for.

Science follows the same pattern. SNC2D, the academic Grade 10 science course, is the prerequisite for Grade 11 Physics (SPH3U) and Chemistry (SCH3U). The applied version, SNC2P, does not connect to those courses.

Grade 11: The Courses That Open Grade 12 U

Grade 11 Functions (MCR3U) is the prerequisite for Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U). Skip MCR3U and you cannot register for MHF4U without an upgrading course first.

Grade 11 Physics (SPH3U) and Chemistry (SCH3U) work the same way. Take all three, MCR3U, SPH3U, and SCH3U, in Grade 11 if engineering stays on the list.

Balancing the Full Timetable

Ontario high school students take up to four courses per semester in most boards, or eight per year in a full-year model. An engineering-focused Grade 11 timetable typically holds MCR3U, SPH3U, and SCH3U alongside English and one elective, leaving little room for extra electives that semester. Plan the elective slots in Grade 9 and 10 with this in mind rather than filling them without a longer view of Grade 11 and 12.

Extracurriculars and volunteer hours still matter for a strong application, but they should not come at the cost of dropping one of the three science and math courses engineering programs check first.

Start the Conversation in Grade 8

Ontario students choose their Grade 9 courses during Grade 8, often months before they know how much they will enjoy math or science in high school. Flag an interest in engineering to a guidance counselor early, so the elective slots around the destreamed math course and academic science line up with a Grade 10 academic stream rather than needing a correction later.

The Grade 12 U Courses Engineering Programs Ask For

Ontario engineering programs, including at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto , build admission around the same core Grade 12 U courses.

• English (ENG4U)

• Advanced Functions (MHF4U)

• Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)

• Chemistry (SCH4U)

• Physics (SPH4U)

• One more Grade 12 U or M course, the exact one depends on the program

Confirm the sixth course on the specific program page before locking in a Grade 11 timetable. Requirements differ slightly between schools and change occasionally, so check the current listing rather than relying on an older printout.

Enriched and AP Options, If Available

Some Ontario high schools offer Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate versions of Grade 11 and 12 math and science. These satisfy the same prerequisite courses and can strengthen an application, but they are not required. A standard MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U, and SPH4U course load meets the prerequisite bar at every Ontario engineering program.

Already in the Applied Stream? You Have Options

Moving from applied to academic mid-high-school takes planning but works. Many Ontario school boards offer a transfer or bridging section, or let a student take the academic version the following semester instead of continuing the applied one.

Summer school and night school sections of MPM2D, SNC2D, and the Grade 11 university-stream courses run in most boards. Talk to a guidance counselor as soon as the applied stream feels wrong for the goal. Waiting until Grade 11 to switch usually adds a full extra year to the plan.

A Two-Year Checklist

• 🎓 Grade 9: complete the destreamed math course, MTH1W, and the academic-stream science course.

• Grade 10: register for MPM2D and SNC2D, not the applied versions.

• Grade 11: take MCR3U, SPH3U, and SCH3U together.

• Grade 12: confirm the target program's exact course list before September.

• Cross-check requirements through OUAC for every school on the application list.