To help students make a smooth transition to high school, students, teachers, and families are involved in an extensive planning process that takes place between September and August of a student’s Grade 8 year. Every school has an individual process that is indicated on school specific websites.
Student Success Team members from secondary schools visit Grade 8 classrooms to explain course and program choices for next year. Students will have an opportunity to visit their new high school, and parents and guardians are invited to Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Nights.
These visits are important opportunities to talk to teachers to determine the best pathway to ensure success in secondary school. All pathways will lead to excellent opportunities in the future, and determining the best pathway is an important process. Students and families are encouraged to make use of the myBlueprint tool that allows students to plan and select high school courses, explore occupations and post-secondary option and record important information and reflections related to their career and education planning. Parents that are new to myBlueprint are encouraged to set up an account using the steps outlined in this Getting Started Guide for Family.
As students transition to high school, where possible, we will visit students in their elementary schools to help them with the course selection process, as well as answer questions and concerns about high school life. When possible, we host information evenings for families as students make decisions about their future.
Once students are at high school, we have an energetic support team including administrators, teachers, guidance counsellors, learning support staff, success teachers, and an adolescent care worker, as well as student mentors and tutors to help with the first year of high school. We are also linked to a number of community agencies who offer support beyond our scope. Students and families should reach out for support and contact their school with any concerns.