What is TOPS?

Talented Offerings for Programs in the Sciences is an exceptional program unique to Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute. TOPS has a special emphasis in math, science, and English. Over its 17 years of existence, it has produced and will continue to produce many outstanding, successful graduates. TOPS students excel in their post-secondary studies and have often been the recipients of numerous scholarships and awards. One such scholarship is the National Scholarship offered by the University of Toronto, valued at $40,000. This scholarship has been awarded to a TOPS student every year for the past eight years.

Students do not need to be recognized as "gifted" in order to enroll. TOPS students are highly motivated individuals with a broad range of interests. Students in the program are cored together for two-thirds of their classes over their 4 years of secondary education and benefit from being surrounded by individuals with interests and goals similar to their own. The course work is enriched through a variety of means, depending on the areas of knowledge and interest of the instructor.

Program Overview

TOPS is a 4 year program. Input from TOPS students, staff, and the administration has been used to determine the courses that will be compulsory to complete the TOPS program. A total of 21 courses are required to complete the program.

Grade 9

• Science
• Mathematics
• English
• Geography
• Civics and Career Studies

Grade 10

• Science
• Grade 10 Mathematics (Semester 1)
• Grade 11 Advanced Functions and Relations (Semester 2)
• English
• Computer Science
• History

Grade 11

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• English (Ethics and the Philosophy of Science) *
• Design Technology
• Advanced Placement Calculus AB or BC*

Grade 12

• Advanced Placement English*
• At least 1 of:
• Mathematics – Algebra and Discrete Mathematics
• Mathematics – Data Management
• At least 2 of:
• Biology*
• Chemistry*
• Physics or Advanced Placement Physics C*

An "*" indicates a course that prepares students for the AP exams. It is important to note that students are allowed to take the AP exams, despite the courses that they have taken in high school. Many Biology and Chemistry students who have taken the AP exams have scored very well, thanks to the enriched curriculum.

The nature of the compulsory courses and timetabling for the TOPS Program limits the opportunities for some students to take electives. Students may choose to return for a fifth year if they wish to take courses they had not previously been able to fit into their timetables.

Advanced Placement 

The Advanced Placement Program is a United States exam–based curriculum that is accepted at over 1600 post-secondary institutions in the United States and is gaining approval at many Canadian Universities. Considering the changes to the Ontario curriculum, we believe that the Grade 12 TOPS AP courses provide superior preparations for these examinations.

We feel that it is in the best interests of TOPS students to consider the Advanced Placement examinations. Not only do they offer a challenging curriculum, but many universities will grant credits to students who achieve high grades on these examinations. Considering the increasing cost of tuition fees, these courses could result in significant savings depending on the program and university chosen. For example, McGill University grants up to 5 university credits to a student who has successfully written Advanced Placement examinations; this saves one year's worth of tuition along with all of the associated expenditures.