We Empower High School Students to Achieve Success
We Empower High School Students to Achieve Success
At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, we believe every child should have the opportunity to succeed. That’s why we have a variety of programs and supports to level the playing field for all of our learners. We continue to support students with learning-based needs through special education programs and services in high school.
English Language Learner Support
English language learners are students whose first language is not English and may need focused support to become proficient in English. In high school, these students can take English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD) programs.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Our ESL program helps students with age-appropriate language, literacy and numeracy skills in their first language and improves these skills in English.
We offer ESL credit courses at the following high schools:
- Holy Trinity Catholic High School.
- Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School.
- St. Francis Xavier High School.
- St. Mother Teresa High School.
- St. Patrick’s High School.
- St. Pius X High School.
English Literacy Development (ELD)
Our ELD program helps students develop their language, literacy and numeracy skills while also improving their English.
We offer ELD credit courses at the following high schools:
- Holy Trinity Catholic High School.
- Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School.
- St. Francis Xavier High School.
- St. Patrick’s High School.
- St. Pius X High School.
Credit Recovery for High School Students
If your child fails a course, they can meet curriculum expectations and earn credits through our credit recovery opportunities. Credit recovery opportunities may be offered through a variety of formats to support the learner and the effective demonstration of the expectations of the course. These formats may include continuous intake, e-Learning and regular classroom delivery models.
Your child’s classroom teacher and guidance counsellor work together to determine the best format to provide credit recovery for each student. Get in touch with your School to learn more.
Specialized Programs for High-Performance Athletes & Artists
Some of our high school students are high-performing athletes and artists with demanding training and competition schedules. We recognize the need to provide flexibility to our elite athletes and artists so that they may continue to train at the provincial, national, and international level in their disciplines, while continuing with their academic studies. Our secondary schools provide a variety of supports for our high-performing athletes and artists, which may include:
- Personalized timetabling.
- Flexible attendance expectations to suit training and competition schedules.
- Later school start times.
- Access to e-Learning.
- Access to our Achievement Centres (flexible learning environment).
- A staff mentor/advocate.
- Assignment completion accommodations.
- Support in accessing summer school learning opportunities.
Please contact your community OCSB school to find out more about the supports that may be available for your child.
Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL)
Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) is an option that may be useful for encouraging learners between 14 and 17 who are at risk of not graduating. These students may need SAL if they are not attending school regularly and if learning strategies have not been successful.
Under the guidance of caring adults, the SAL program is intended to re-engage young people through individualized plans. These plans may include credit accumulation, life skills, volunteering, certifications, cooperative education and counselling.
For more information, please be sure to contact your child’s teacher and school administration.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for High School Students
A student can receive a course credit in exceptional situations through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process. This process recognizes that your child has completed the expected learning for a specific course outlined in the Ontario curriculum. The PLAR process will allow you to be granted high school credits based on courses completed in another High School, whether the other high school is in Ontario, another Province or another Country.
Students and parents are encouraged to contact their school guidance counsellor for more information.
Your child must show evidence/proof of the applicable knowledge and skills. Exceptional situations could include when a student is behind in credits or requires a reduced schedule. All Ontario Curriculum Policy Documents can be found on the Ontario Ministry of Education website.
PLAR for Adult Students
The PLAR process for students over 18 will allow them to be granted high school credits based on the following:
- Courses completed in another High School (In Ontario, another Province or another Country).
- Courses completed in a post-secondary school (College or University courses can earn students up to 29 credits).
- Life experience.
Adult students are encouraged to contact St. Nicholas High School for more information.
Achievement Centres - An Alternative to the Traditional Classroom
We have an achievement centre at every high school. They offer flexible timetables, alternative ways to earn credits, hands-on learning and opportunities to recover credits. If your child has been away from school for an extended period, they might re-enter the school system through an achievement centre.
For more information, please contact your child’s teacher and the school administration.
External Achievement Centres
The Ottawa Catholic School Board has three external Achievement Centres for students who would benefit from an alternative to the traditional school setting. These centres allow your child to continue earning credits for graduation.
St. Mary's Achievement Centre
St. Mary’s Achievement Centre provides academic and wellness programming for pregnant teens. Please contact St. Mary’s Centre for more details.
Algonquin Achievement Centre
Algonquin Achievement Centre provides an opportunity for Grade 12 students who aren’t motivated by traditional learning strategies to continue their high school courses while taking a Dual Credit course. Please contact St. Josephine High School for more information.
Operation Come Home (John Bosco Achievement Centre)
Operation Come Home provides academic support for street-involved youth who hope to reconnect with the community. Please get in touch with St. Josephine High School for more details.
