Student Success

We are very proud of the success of our students and our schools. We want to provide you with all of the tools you need to make the best decisions about your experience with the Ottawa Catholic School Board.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board offers a wide range of educational programs designed to enhance student success. The Student Success Department is responsible for curriculum implementation in all subject areas as well as the implementation of all Ministry of Education initiatives. Our department provides support for school improvement plans, and performs in-depth reviews on a variety of student achievement measures. Read more below about what our department is doing to improve student success.

Student Success: Elementary

We are in our fifth year of integrating the Ontario Ministry’s School Effectiveness Framework into our schools, providing them with evidence-based strategies to bring about improved student achievement. The continued use of a comprehensive literacy approach and the use of research-based instructional strategies give teachers effective tools to support student learning. School improvement plans incorporate SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant (or results-based), and Time-bound) that inform the Board Improvement Plan. All elementary schools have developed collaborative School Improvement Teams involved in networked learning that lead all school staff through professional learning around student work and improving student achievement.

The Ontario Focused Intervention Partnership (OFIP) provides an opportunity for all schools to receive additional funds for resources, and job embedded professional learning opportunities for teachers to support student achievement. All elementary schools are receiving support through planned networks in literacy and math, or through targeted support based on a needs assessment by the school. Consultants and learning partners provide intensive support to schools in the networks, and work alongside teachers in the classroom with a focus on student learning in areas of literacy and numeracy. Through funding from the Ministry of Education, several schools have hired tutors who work with students during school hours.

Student Success: Intermediate and Secondary

Because each student is unique and learns in different ways, increased differentiated instruction strategies at the Intermediate level are being initiated. Learning to 18 focuses on improvement of student engagement in school. All intermediate and secondary schools have collaborative Student Success Teams. Each team reviews student achievement and progress in school and develops appropriate and individualized plans to improve student outcomes. There is an increasing awareness of the Specialized Pathways available to students, and the positive influence these pathways have on student success.