When OCSB students returned to school this September, nearly 5,000 of them arrived with something already checked off their list.
Some had earned a credit. Some had strengthened their math or literacy skills. Some had opened up space in their timetable for co-operative education, another course or something they really wanted to pursue. Others had worked hard to get back on track.
And five students didn’t return in September.
They graduated.
This summer, 4,972 students enrolled in OCSB Summer School, an increase of 848 students, or 21 percent, over last year. In 2023, Summer School welcomed 2,082 students. Three years later, that number has grown to nearly 5,000.
That’s a lot of students choosing to spend part of their summer learning, and they had plenty of reasons to do so.
More Choices During the School Year
For many secondary students, a summer course can make a big difference when September arrives.
This year, 4,529 students participated in Reach Ahead courses, including 4,202 through asynchronous e-Learning and 327 through blended learning.
Completing a credit during the summer can open up space in a student’s timetable for co-operative education, an additional course, a pathway program or an area of interest. It can also give students a little more flexibility in building a timetable that works for them.
“Summer School gives students an opportunity to continue moving forward in ways that are meaningful to them,” said Stacy Hovey, Lead Summer School Principal. “Whether they are completing a course, recovering a credit, building confidence in a subject or creating more flexibility in their timetable, students benefit from learning opportunities that respond to their individual goals.”
Five Students Graduated This Summer
Among all of this year’s numbers, there is one we’re especially happy to share.
Through the Credit Recovery and Dual Credit program, offered in partnership with Algonquin College, 17 students earned a total of 25 credits. Students in the program can earn a college credit while also recovering a secondary school credit.
For five OCSB students, Summer School helped them earn the credits they needed to graduate.
For those students and their families, that’s a pretty great way to end the summer.
A Stronger Start to September
Summer School isn’t just about secondary school credits.
The Skills Builder program welcomed 117 students in Grades 7 to 9, with a focus on strengthening literacy and numeracy skills before the new school year.
Another 24 students participated in the Indigenous Summer Program, where they had opportunities to earn a Reach Ahead credit or recover credits while working toward their individual goals.
A successful summer looks different for every student. Earning a credit or graduating is easy to measure. Walking into a classroom in September feeling more confident in math or reading is harder to put into a statistic, but it matters too.
Looking Ahead to Summer 2027
With Summer School participation growing from 2,082 students in 2023 to 4,972 this year, we’re already looking at what we can learn from this summer.
Feedback from students and educators, program results, and a review of our in-person and Achievement Centre locations will help us plan for 2027 and continue to improve the experience for students and families.
To the nearly 5,000 students who spent part of their summer learning, congratulations. Whether you earned a credit, strengthened a skill, made room in your timetable, got back on track or graduated, you started September with something worth celebrating.
And to the educators and staff who gave up part of their summer, too, thank you. Nearly 5,000 students. Nearly 5,000 different goals. And a lot was accomplished before the first bell even rang in September.
