Transitioning to High School/Head Start
The transition from elementary school to high school is a time of celebration - new challenges and opportunities await for our students. We recognize that students enter Grade 9 with different strengths, interests and goals.
For this reason, students can select a variety of different course levels and programs that provide learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. These programs will best meet an individual's needs and help students make choices to achieve a destination pathway that complements an individual's talents.
Our yearbook class shares why you will enjoy being a student at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School:
Family of schools
Our school community is made up of students from the following Associate Elementary Schools:
- Father Fenelon Catholic School;
- Holy Family Catholic School;
- St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School;
- St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School;
- St. Joseph Catholic School;
- St. Monica Catholic School and
- St. Wilfrid Catholic School.
Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transitional Supports
All students benefit from transitional supports when moving from elementary to secondary school. To assist with the transition, we created a Grade 8 to 9 Transitions Guide - Moving On to answer any questions you have about high school.
- Guidance Counsellors visit Associate Elementary Schools: October & January
- Grade 8 Students from Associate Elementary Schools visit St. Mary: Wednesday November 2, 2017
- Grade 8 Student & Parent Information Evening: Tuesday January 17, 2017 (7 - 9 pm)
- Career Cruising: DCDSB Login and Course selection instructions
- Course calendar
- Grade 9 & 10 Course list (Sept 2017)
- Grade 9 Informational flyer
- Welcome to Grade 9 (powerpoint)
- Associate Elementary Schools course selection forms & fees due to their Grade 8 Teacher: Thursday February 9th
- Transition Team meetings (Program Support & Student Success): Spring
Additional Resources
- Career Cruising Individual Pathway Plan Activities (Grade 8)
- Community Service Log (Summer Pre-Grade 9)
- Durham Student Transportation Services
- McCarthy School Uniforms
- Skills Ontario Summer Camp (Pre-Grade 9)
- Teens CAN
- Teens Can Be Resilient in High School
Head Start program
DCDSB/St. Mary offers a summer transition program for students entering Grade 9 called Head Start. This program is offered at St. Mary in late August and gives students an overview of math and literacy, while providing study tips and strategies to achieve success in high school. Students also receive an orientation and tour of the school and start to make new friends.
Who: All Grade 8 students going into Grade 9 at DCDSB Catholic High Schools
Dates: Monday to Thursday, August 21 - 24, 2017
Times: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Location: St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
Transportation: Parents/Guardians are responsible for all transportation.
For information on how to register, visit DCDSB Continuing and Adult Education site or speak to your child's Grade 8 Teacher or school Principal.
Reach Ahead program
If you are a Grade 8 student in the Durham Catholic DSB and starting St. Mary in September, Grade 9 credits are available this summer as part of our Reach Ahead Program.
Courses available:
- Integrated Arts (ALC1O1)
- Introduction to Business (BBI1O1)
- Robotics Technology: Robot Rumble (TIJ1O1)
Who: All Grade 8 students currently attending DCDSB elementary schools going into Grade 9 at DCDSB Catholic Secondary Schools
Dates: July 5 to 28, 2017
Times: 8:30 am - 2:40 pm
Locations: Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School (1375 Harwood Ave., North, Ajax) and Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School (700 Stevenson Road North, Oshawa)
Transportation: Parents/Guardians are responsible for all transportation.
For information on how to register, visit DCDSB Continuing and Adult Education site, download a registration form, or speak to your child's Grade 8 Teacher or school Principal
Register for school
We welcome students of all faiths at our Durham Catholic secondary schools.
ALL PROSPECTIVE St. Mary students MUST complete a Pre-Admission Package (excluding students from our Associate Elementary Schools who live within the St. Mary boundary). Print off the package using the attached link, complete and submit to Guidance with ALL required documentation. The registration process is ongoing throughout the year, but for September 2017 enrollment, please submit applications by February 17th, 2017 to allow for spring registration meetings with Guidance Counsellors.
ANY PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS who are NEW to our Board MUST complete the DCDSB Online Student Application IN ADDITION to the Pre-Admission package.
Please call Guidance Secretary (x56020) for further details.
Transportation
Durham Student Transportation Services automatically will capture student information during the St. Mary registration process and route information will be available late August. Parent/Guardians are required to call the 24 hour automated phone line 1-866-908-6578 or 905-666-6979 to obtain the student's bus #, bus time and stop location. Parents will need the student ID# or OEN (found on a report card) in order to activate the system.
To inquire about home address eligibility at any time, you can contact DSTS and speak to your Pickering coordinator (this includes St. Joseph C.S. in Uxbridge) at 1-800-240-6943. Please note that home address only can be used for transportation purposes. For more information see www.dsts.on.ca
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