Why Is My Kid Studying Shakespeare Instead of Coding? A Parent’s Guide to the Mystery of Ontario High School Courses

By Someone Who Gets It (But Still Thinks Hamlet Has a Point)

If you’re a parent in Ontario, you’ve probably found yourself scratching your head at some point during your teen’s high school journey. Maybe it was during a heated dinner-table rant about needing to memorize Romeo and Juliet instead of learning Excel, or perhaps you wondered aloud why your aspiring engineer is still diagramming sentences in English class.

You’re not alone.

In a world that’s racing toward STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—at full throttle, many parents wonder why Ontario schools still insist students take courses that seemingly have nothing to do with their career goals. Why is your future software developer decoding Shakespeare? Why is your budding graphic designer wrestling with ancient history or philosophy? Why does your would-be doctor need to understand the significance of Canadian federalism and Indigenous treaty rights?

These are good questions. But the answers might surprise you.

The Real Goals of a Western Education

Here’s the thing: Western education—particularly in Ontario—isn’t just about pumping out job-ready adults with specialized technical knowledge. It’s about building citizens. Thoughtful, articulate, adaptable citizens. People who can think critically, write coherently, disagree respectfully, and pivot gracefully when the world changes—as it always does.

This is why English, history, geography, civics, art, music, and Indigenous studies all hold firm places in the curriculum. They teach communication, empathy, analysis, context, and collaboration—the so-called “soft skills” that every employer secretly (and not-so-secretly) wants.

Sure, they may not lead directly to a job—but without them, a job may not lead anywhere.

Take the classic example: someone with a humanities degree might be the most interesting person at the dinner party—but may still be serving hors d’oeuvres instead of enjoying them. On the flip side, your straight-A engineering student who freezes in a team meeting or misunderstands written project specs won’t make it far past the internship stage.

The sweet spot? Someone who can code and communicate. Someone who can read a complex policy document, present a persuasive argument, lead a team, and yes—catch the deeper meaning behind a Shakespeare soliloquy.

The “Too Much English” Myth

Some argue there’s too much emphasis on English and not enough on STEM. But let’s reframe that. English isn’t just about reading novels or writing book reports. It’s about developing language muscle—the kind needed for resumes, business pitches, grant proposals, legal contracts, emails, and elevator speeches. A solid grasp of language is a superpower, and frankly, the best engineers, doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs know it.

If your kid can explain quantum computing to a non-tech audience, they’ve got a competitive edge. If they can walk into a job interview and articulate their value confidently? Game over.

But What About All These Random Courses?

Here’s where it gets more complicated. Ontario’s curriculum is designed for millions of students, each with unique goals, backgrounds, and dreams. Deciding what to require and what to leave out is no small feat. The system isn’t perfect—but it aims to balance employability with humanity.

That means including courses that support reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, even if they don’t make immediate sense to new immigrant families or more conservative households. It means ensuring students understand the history of residential schools, treaties, and colonization—not just as a nod to the past, but as a foundation for a more just future.

Is it political? Yes. Is it important? Also yes.

This shared knowledge is part of what holds our diverse, sometimes messy, but always fascinating society together.

The Character Factor

People from around the world come to study in Ontario because of this well-rounded approach. And our students—your kids—graduate with more than just knowledge. They leave with character, with cultural fluency, with the ability to think on their feet and work across boundaries. That’s what makes them thrive whether they stay in Canada or head abroad.

So maybe that Shakespeare play isn’t such a waste after all. Maybe decoding metaphor, navigating irony, and understanding tragedy helps your teen navigate life too—when relationships falter, when co-workers miscommunicate, or when job offers don’t come right away.

Final Word (and a Bit of Hope)

Yes, the road to adulthood can feel confusing and cluttered with seemingly irrelevant coursework. And no, Shakespeare won’t teach your kid how to fix a car or build an app. But it might teach them how to think with nuance, speak with clarity, and see the world through someone else’s eyes.

And in a world where people skills and adaptability are worth their weight in gold, that’s not nothing.

So, to every Ontario parent out there silently sighing through another essay draft or group project rant—hang in there. The system isn’t broken. It’s just trying to raise not only workers, but whole people. And that’s something worth investing in.

Even if it means one more night arguing over Hamlet.