Grade 8 students looking to get a head start on secondary school might consider the following three things:

Participating in either a Reach Ahead Credit through Continuing Education

• Reach Ahead Credits = credits offered to Grade 8 students in the summer after before they enter grade 9 so they can get a feel for high school while earning their first credit toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. *Students use their myBlueprint Accounts to register for these courses.

• Summer Skills Upgrading = An 8-day non-credit program intended for students whose achievement of expectations in Grade 6, 7 or 8 Language and/or Mathematics indicates that  they would benefit from additional supports in their transition to secondary courses. *If you believe this might be a good fit, talk to your elementary school administrator.

Starting their Community Involvement Hours

•  All students must complete 40 hours of community involvement by the end of grade 12 as part of their requirement to graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students can begin to accumulate these hours as early as July after they graduate from grade 8. Learn more here.

Saving the Date to Attend High School Orientation in August

• Secondary schools offer a Grade 9 Orientation Day in August where new grade 9s can tour the school, meet staff, and get their first semester schedules. Attending this day can help reduce student stress and build excitement for their first day of school! *More information on dates to come.