Planning for High School

Starting high school is an exciting time - there will be many new opportunities and new challenges. Students enter high school with different strengths, interests, and goals. Secondary school select courses that suit their interests and that take them towards goals through an increasingly specialized four-year program.

 

High School Information Nights

 

High schools in the SCDSB are hosting virtual information sessions this fall and winter for Grade 8 students and their parents/guardians. These events support the transition to high school, providing information on courses, extracurricular activities, sports and more! To find out more, and how to register/access the information session, contact the school directly.

School
Date/Time

Banting Memorial High School
705-435-6288

 Jan. 24 & Jan. 26
 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Barrie North Collegiate Institute
705-726-6541

 Feb.8, 7-8 p.m.
 Feb. 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Bear Creek Secondary School
705-725-7712

 Jan. 12
 6-7p.m.

Bradford District High School
905-775-2262

 Jan. 13
 6-7:30 p.m.

Collingwood Collegiate Institute
705-445-3161

 Jan. 6
 6-7:30 p.m.

Eastview Secondary School
705-728-1321

 Feb. 17
 6:30-8 p.m.

Elmvale District High School
705-322-2201

 Jan. 12

Georgian Bay District Secondary School
705-526-7817

 Jan. 12
 7-8 p.m.

Innisdale Secondary School
705-726-2552

 Jan. 13
 6:30-8 p.m. 

Maple Ridge Secondary School
705-725-9647

 Cancelled - Dec. 8

Nantyr Shores Secondary School
705-431-5950

 Jan. 12
 7-8:30 p.m.

Nottawasaga Pines Secondary School
705-424-5030

 Feb. 17
 6:30-8 p.m.

Orillia Secondary School
705-329-4537

Jan. 27
 6-7:30 p.m.

Stayner Collegiate Institute
705-428-2639

 Feb. 17

Twin Lakes Secondary School
705-325-1318

 Jan. 12
 6:30-7 or 7:15-7:45 p.m.

 

What to expect 

  • Many courses and programs to choose from - it's a change for you to try new things and discover your interests, skills and strengths
  • An emphasis on planning for post-secondary and career pathways
  • A wide-range of sports, activities and clubs
  • Increased dependence and responsibility
  • A greater need for time management and organization

For the first time in your school career, you get to choose some of the courses you take. It's also the time to explore what you want to do for a job when you're older. 


Four-year high school program ("34-credit threshold")

The Ministry of Education is putting in place a cap that would allow students to take up to 34 credits. Thirty credits are required to graduate, so this would allow for an additional four credits which is equivalent to a semester. For more information, please visit the Ministry website.
Curriculum and requirements

The following links provide more information about secondary school courses and graduation requirements.

Students are also required to complete 40 hours of community involvement, which will help them explore and expand interests and prepare them for responsible citizenship.

Helpful links