The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) is hosting virtual open houses for Grade 8 students and their families to introduce them to their high schools for next year.
Throughout November, several open houses are being held online to highlight key aspects of the schools and any special programs they offer.
"A spot at our York Catholic high schools is highly sought-after by many families in York Region and beyond,” said Anthony Arcadi, superintendent of curriculum and assessment. “Our high schools are well-known for their innovative programming, caring staff who help guide students, leadership opportunities, engaging student life and our board’s consistency as one of the top-performing school boards in Ontario.”
Anyone living in York Region can attend YCDSB schools and the open houses will also discuss the registration process, and deadlines and documents needed for enrolment.
The open house for Sacred Heart Catholic High School at 908 Lemar Rd. in Newmarket takes place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3.
The school offers a number of special programs, including: advanced placement (AP) and a program for academic and creative extension (PACE) that offer enriched curriculum and the opportunity to earn university credits; the regional arts program (RAP) that allows students to specialize in drama, dance, music or visual arts; and English as a second language and English literacy development programs.
Other schools in the board also offer French immersion, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, high performance athlete (HPA) programs, and STREAM programs that focus on math, science and other technical fields.
High school boundaries are available on the board's website.
The dates for the other school open houses are as follows:
- Tuesday, Nov. 2: St. Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill for regular program, ESL/ELD
- Wednesday, Nov. 3: Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy in Richmond Hill for regular program, FI, ESL/ELD
- Wednesday, Nov. 3: Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in Markham for regular program, IB, ESL/ELD
- Wednesday, Nov. 3: Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Newmarket form regular program, AP/PACE, RAP, ESL/ELD
- Thursday, Nov. 4: St, Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill for IB
- Thursday, Nov. 4: Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Academy in Keswick for regular program, AP, FI
- Tuesday, Nov. 9: St. Brother Andre Catholic High School in Markham for regular program, FI
- Tuesday, Nov. 9: Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy in Richmond Hill for AP
- Thursday, Nov. 11: St. Augustine Catholic High School in Markham for regular program, STREAM
- Monday, Nov. 15: St. Elizabeth Catholic High School in Thornhill for regular program, RAP, ESL/ELD
- Wednesday, Nov. 17: Father Bressani Catholic High School in Woodbridge for regular program, AP/PACE, FI
- Wednesday, Nov. 17: St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School in Richmond Hill for regular program, AP/PACE
- Thursday, Nov. 18: St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School in Woodbridge for regular program
- Thursday, Nov. 18: Cardinal Carter Catholic High School in Aurora for regular program and IB
- Tuesday, Nov. 23: St. Brother Andre Catholic High School in Markham for AP/PACE
- Tuesday, Nov. 23: St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Maple for regular program, AP, ESL/ELD
- Wednesday, Nov. 24: Holy Cross Catholic Academy in Woodbridge for regular program, IB, HPA
- Wednesday, Nov. 24: St. Maximillion Kolbe Catholic High School in Aurora for regular program, AP, FI
Each virtual open house begins at 7 p.m. and will be available on the school's website. Presentations will be available on the website for 24 hours following the open house.
