Transitioning to High School - Grade 9

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.

Students share why they love their Durham Catholic Secondary Schools - Check Us Out!

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 entitled Moving On to answer any questions you have about high school.

Other supports offered to Grade 8 students include:

• transition meetings between secondary and elementary school teams;
• introductory visits to the elementary schools by a high school's Guidance, Program Support and Student Success staff;
• the Moving On Transitions Guide is reviewed with students and members of the high school's transition teams;
• visits to the high school; 
• parent information nights;
• Skills Ontario Summer Camps;
• Teens CAN;
• Teens Can be Resilient in High School.

Head Start program

Our Board offers a summer transition program for students entering Grade 9 called Head Start. This program is offered at your local high school in late August and gives students an overview of math and literacy, while providing study tips and strategies to achieve success in high school.

For information on how to register, visit our Continuing and Adult Education site or speak to your child's Grade 8 teacher or school principal.