Watch the “Getting Ready for High School” 2022 Presentation Recording
On December 7, 2022, Grade 7 and 8 students and families from all HWDSB elementary schools were invited to a system-wide virtual information session about the transition to secondary school.
The session allowed attendees to learn what a secondary school experience can look like in an HWDSB school. Students and families heard about what to expect in Grade 9, including information about course selection, Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements, system programs at HWDSB, and more.
For those who could not attend, the presentation was recorded and the video can be viewed above. We have also collected some frequently asked questions (FAQs) from the evening and included some helpful information in the section below.
We are already looking forward to welcoming students and families back to secondary schools in January 2023 to learn more about the course selection process. Dates will be posted to the HWDSB website and communicated to families in the coming weeks.
Getting Ready for High School FAQs
| Questions | Answers/Information/Links |
| 1. I am moving. How do I know which school my child will attend?
Or 2. I would like my child to attend an out of catchment school. How do I proceed? Or 3. My child is transferring from another school board. What do I need to do to prepare for their transition to HWDSB?
|
Please visit Find a School HWDSB Link to help you.
Find a School | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (hwdsb.on.ca)
Registration will open on Feb 1st for all K-12 students wanting to come to an HWDSB school. The registration process is online. Once you complete the registration package, someone from the secondary school will contact you with next steps.
Check out the potential HWDSB Secondary School you are planning on attending. There will be November and January Information nights and important information and resources for incoming students and families. Please reach out to the school if you require more information. |
| I am moving to a new area. What do I need to do? What school will my child attend?
|
The following link will help you Find and Register for School |
| My child would like to apply to the Glendale ARTS (ABPA) program. Where do I find information? | The following link will help you learn more about this program, Information Night video, application process as well as important dates. https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/secondary/programs/audition-based-program-of-the-arts/
|
| My Child would like to know more about or apply to the Westmount program. | The following link will explain Westmount’s self-directed, self-paced program:
Self-directed, Self-paced | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (hwdsb.on.ca) Westmount students must provide their own transportation to and from school. Westmount does not have a catchment area; all students in HWDSB can access the school if interested in this model. Like all schools, we can only accommodate the number of students for whom we have the space and resources to meet their needs. Interested registrants can visit the school website for the link to access the virtual information meeting or contact the school directly at (905) 385-5395. https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/westmount/registration/ |
| My child would like to apply to the IB program. | Students interested in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program begin grade 9 at their catchment secondary school and would apply to the IB program for their grade 11 year. Interested students should talk to their Guidance counsellor to learn more information about Information Nights when they are in grade 9 and 10. More information about this program can be found on the HWDSB website. List of Programs | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (hwdsb.on.ca)
IB programs are located at Ancaster High School and Westdale Secondary School. More information can be found at: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/secondary/programs/international-baccalaureate/ |
| My child has an IEP and access Specialized Services. Will they continue to be supported? | If your child transfers from an HWDSB elementary school to a HWDSB secondary school, their IEP will automatically be transferred. Please be assured that continuity of care and resource support will continue at the secondary level. Please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher and Learning resource teacher about specific questions.
HWDSB Specialized Services Information |
| How will my child know which FI Secondary school they will attend? | There was a French Immersion information night held in early December. Please click here to learn more: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/secondary/programs/french-as-a-second-language/
Sherwood Catchment Schools for FI:
Westdale Catchment Schools for FI:
Students who are not currently a student of the Grade 8 FI program but would like to enroll in the secondary FI program would need to undergo an assessment of their French language skills. Contact Lisa Reynolds, FSL Special Assignment Teacher at [email protected] for more information |
| Who do I contact if I have questions about course selections and Grade 9? | Students first point of contact is their grade 8 homeroom teacher. Throughout the year, students will be supported in their elementary school as they select their courses. Learning Resource Teachers are also available to answer questions. In some schools, the Elementary Student Success teacher is another source of information as well. The Secondary Student Success Teacher and Guidance Staff at your Secondary School staff are also available to answer questions and support course selection for Grade 9. |
| What HWDSB Secondary School can my child attend if they are not attending their homeschool?
(OUT OF CATCHMENT) |
We provide choice through a variety of courses, programs and pathways for students at their home school.
If you currently have a child attending a school through the Out-of-Catchment process, his/her attendance at their current elementary school does not guarantee them a placement at the secondary school associated with his/her current school. Parents/Guardians will need to apply to request their child be allowed to attend a school different from their home school through the Out-of-Catchment application process. If your child’s next school is not accepting Out-of-Catchment students, your child will return to his/her home school. This process will open in February and information will be posted on the HWDSB’s website. |
| Transportation questions | For information on transportation please contact Hamilton Wentworth Student Transporation Services https://www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca/
Here you will be able to find answers to some commonly asked transportation questions. |
| What does my child need to graduate? | There are many different pathways for a student to graduate (OSSD, OSSC and Certificate of Accomplishment).
For information regarding graduation requirements for an OSSD, please refer to: https://www.ontario.ca/page/high-school-graduation-requirements For information regarding graduation requirements for an OSSC or Certificate of Accomplishment, please refer to: https://www3.dpcdsb.org/ROMER/Documents/Guidance/OSSCrequirements.pdf |
| ELL Programming and Schools | HWDSB offers English as a Second Language (ESL) support at the secondary level to assist students in acquiring English language proficiency. Students who require English language support at the secondary level are required to attend the nearest secondary school that offers ESL and English Literacy Development (ELD) Credit courses. HWDSB supports the learning of Secondary School English Language Learners by offering ESL/ELD credit courses and programming at four Secondary Schools:
Please click here to learn more about ESL/ELL program and process. https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/secondary/programs/english-as-a-second-language/#tabs-113 |
| Questions about Programs | You can learn more about the different high school options in this section, Programs | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (hwdsb.on.ca) such as: |
| Questions about the Grade 9 Program | Will a de-streamed class make things less challenging for students who would have been enrolled in the Academic stream?
Source: https://www.onted.ca/destreaming |
| What is available in the summer for my child?
|
Please check out potential programs offered by Continuing Education.
Information will be shared about up to date programs in the late Spring. |
Updated on Monday, December 12, 2022.