Due to public health regulations, all presentations are through MS Teams. A list of school specific dates can be found  at https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/secondary/plan-for-high-school/grade-7-8-information-nights-2/   

Students interested in the self-directed self-paced learning program at Westmount Secondary School are invited to attend a virtual information session on Thursday, November 25 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Join the virtual session through MS Teams at https://hwdsb.info/westmount-infonight.

The HWDSB Find a School feature can be found at https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/find/.

The Find a School feature has an option to select French Immersion. Students will attend the catchment school related to French Immersion based on their home address. 

HWDSB Out of Catchment information can be found at https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/find/#tabs-112  

For students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP), the best place to start is a discussion with the current Elementary Learning Resource Teacher. 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 attend the following information session: 

What is De-Streaming?
When: Wednesday, December 8, 2021 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Join via MS Teams at https://hwdsb.info/de-streaming

The IB progamme is a program with a grade 11 entry. All students will attend their home (catchment) secondary school for grade 9 and 10. 

All elementary remote learning classes are part of current elementary schools. Each school will ensure that the proper communication and transition occurs with the relevant HWDSB secondary schools. 

Secondary guidance counsellors will visit grade 8 classes in January to share information with students. Your child’s grade 8 homeroom teacher is a key contact in the transition process and can provide specific information. 

 On Wednesday January 26th 6p.m., there will be a board-wide presentation regarding course selections on MS Teams. 

ach school will highlight these activities in their school-specific presentations, they can be found at A list of school specific dates can be found at https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/secondary/plan-for-high-school/grade-7-8-information-nights-2/

When transferring to HWDSB, you will need to complete a registration process. Information can be found at:  https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/find/#tabs-114

The following link will help you Find and Register for School.

SHSM

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. Through specialized programming, students are given the opportunity to ‘reach ahead’ and experience relevant training and learning specific to the sector. It also assists in their transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. A SHSM is a four-semester, two-year program for any interested student in grades 11 or 12. For more information visit the Ministry of Education SHSM Website. 

Learn more at  www.hwdsb.on.ca/SHSM 

 Students should consult with their Guidance Counsellor to learn more information to plan for their grade 11 year. 

OYAP

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program. 

Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas. 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (hwdsb.on.ca) 

Students should consult with their Guidance Counsellor to learn more information to plan for their grade 11 year.

The following link will help you learn more about this program:  Audition-based Program of the Arts | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (hwdsb.on.ca) 

There is a Virtual Information Night – Thursday, November 18, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (event link) where you can learn more information.

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. 

If you are interested in becoming a student at Westmount, there will be a virtual information night on Nov. 25th at 7:00 p.m. https://hwdsb.info/westmount-infonight 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.

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 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. There is a defined catchment area depending on a student’s home school which determines which IB program they are eligible to attend.

We understand that there might be gaps in student learning due to the pandemic however all HWDSB educators will be working together with your child to ensure achievement and well-being.  As well, students are invited to attend free summer programming offered by HWDSB.  Please consult the Summer Program Flyer that is available in the spring.  Contact your elementary or secondary school in the spring to determine specialized, non-credit programs to help prepare for high school.   Our website also posts at Summer | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (hwdsb.on.ca).

For information about out of catchment procedures, please refer to: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FINAL-Out-of-Catchment-Procedure-1.pdf 

For information about eligibility to play sports following a school transfer, please refer to:  https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/athletics/secondary-school/student-transfers/.

There are many different pathways for a student 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 

More information will be shared at your secondary school’s January presentation.

The Ministry of Education now offers the new de-streamed math course, MTH1W.  This course enables students to consolidate, and continue to develop, an understanding of mathematical concepts related to number sense and operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, data, probability, and financial literacy. Students will use mathematical processes, mathematical modelling, and coding to make sense of the mathematics they are learning and to apply their understanding to culturally responsive and relevant real-world situations. 

This allows all academic pathways to be available to your child in grade 10. 

Every school offers unique opportunities to meet the interests of their students. Please attend your secondary school information session in January to learn about programs, supports, athletics and extracurricular activities that are offered.

Effective July 1, 2022, students may begin volunteer hours to count towards their OSSD.  Students may contact their secondary school for more details.  Further information will be shared with all grade 8 students in the spring of 2022.

Transforming FSL is a great resource available for all families as their children continue French learning. Learn more at https://transformingfsl.ca/.

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 as the Secondary Student Success teacher.  

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.

You can learn more about the different high school options in this section, Programs | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (hwdsb.on.ca) such as: 

• List of Programs 
• eLearning 
• English as a Second Language (ESL) 
• French Immersion 
• Self-directed Self-paced 
• Night School 
• Summer School 

This presentation is being recorded. You will find it posted on the board website in the near future.