Secondary Pathways and Programs
The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board offers an enriched spectrum of learning in our Catholic Secondary Schools. We proudly serve our students by providing a comprehensive, Christ-centered education with a broad range of learning pathways, courses, programs, and co-curricular activities.
St. Michael Catholic Secondary School (in Stratford, serving Perth County) and St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School (in Clinton, serving Huron County) offer a full selection of academic courses and a diverse catalog of co-curricular activities. We invite you to view the course calendars of programming on each school website.
We have a strong tradition of academic excellence and exemplary achievement in many co-instructional activities. We are proud of the success of our students in music, arts, drama and athletics. Our schools host a variety of clubs and teams to support a commitment to inclusion and wellness. Most importantly, our schools model an open commitment to social justice which is rooted in our Catholic faith and traditions. Our goal is to help all students achieve their potential of who God is calling them to become in a life of Catholic service. We are committed to nurturing excellence and the achievement of the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations.
Pathway Planning
A big part of planning your high school courses involves thinking about your destination and then planning backwards to ensure that you have the required courses that you need. Depending on their pathway, students work to complete an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC), or a Certificate of Accomplishment.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)
- Certificate of Accomplishment
- What courses do we offer?
In order to be granted an OSSD, a student must complete 30 courses, either the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or the Ontario Literacy Course (OLC4O), and 40 hours of community service.
To achieve the OSSC, a student must complete 14 courses, 7 of which are compulsory and 7 of which are electives. For more information about the OSSC, please refer to our course calendar.
Students who leave school before fulfilling the requirements of the OSSD or OSSC may be granted a Certificate of Accomplishment. The Certificate of Accomplishment may be a useful means of recognizing achievement for students who plan to take certain vocational programs or other kinds of further training, or who plan to find employment, or move on to community living, after leaving school.
We are proud to offer a wide variety of courses to meet the needs of each individual student. To see what we offer, course descriptions, and pre-requisites required, visit St. Michael or St. Anne’s website(s).
Selecting Courses
A member of our Student Services Team visits each elementary school a number of times in the fall. In early February, students use their myblueprint.ca account to select their courses for the upcoming school year, in consultation with their parent(s)/guardian(s), classroom teacher, special education resource teacher (SERT), principal, and us. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will have a sign off sheet come home that needs to be signed and returned to the grade 8 teacher, confirming consent for the selected courses. In early spring, any students who have an IEP/IPRC will have a transition meeting at their elementary school where changes can be made.
Each year in February, students are invited to a course selection presentation and meeting. They are also strongly encouraged to make an appointment with their guidance counsellor and speaking with their current and previous teachers, as well as with their parent/guardian, in order to make the most informed decisions regarding courses and pathways.
All course selection is done through myblueprint.ca. This website is also a very useful tool in terms of interest inventories, occupation descriptions, job market outlook, and post-secondary training and programs. The site has many tutorials to guide students through its use.
NOTE: All students should be aware that once you have submitted your courses in myblueprint.ca, you cannot change them there. You need to see your guidance counsellor to make changes after you have submitted your courses. Also, course selection is only enabled in February of each year and is located in the top left corner of the webpage. Planning your courses in the high school planner section of myblueprint.ca does NOT transfer to course selection, even though they look the same.
e-Learning Courses
We offer a variety of e-learning courses in our schools, and also have access to a provincial e-learning bank of courses shared by Catholic secondary schools in the province. Students experience success in e-learning courses when they are highly motivated, self-starting, conscientious learners who can be self-directed, both in their learning and time management skills. e-Learning can help to create flexibility in a student’s timetable and allow for a wider variety of course choice, in addition to what we offer.
Pathways to apprenticeship support
Along with the significant in-school pathway supports for students studying to enroll in an apprenticeship, we also offer the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). See more
Students participating in a trade-related co-operative education placement qualify for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. While on placement earning credits, developing knowledge and skills, a student can be registered as an apprentice.
Pathways to college support
Along with the significant in-school pathway supports for students studying to enroll in a college program, we also offer our Dual Credit Program as part of the School College Work Initiative . See more
The School-College-Work Initiative is a cooperative effort with a mandate to assist in creating a seamless transition for students from secondary school to college. In addition to a wide array of learning and awareness opportunities for students, teachers, parents, and the broader community, projects have been developed to provide dual credit programs for secondary students through the partnership of secondary schools and colleges.
In School Programs
Our schools offer a rich variety of course options for every pathway. Courses in Science, Math, English, French, Social Science, Music, Art, Drama, Religion, Physical Education, Business, and Technology provide dynamic learning experiences for our students in all pathways
Technology Courses
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SHSM
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Co-op
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