Grades K-6 and 7-12 FAQs
Our Journey to Excellence: K-6 and 7-12 Schools
With the move to grades 7-12 schools comes the opportunity, through greater numbers of grades 7-8 students and their access to the high school facilities, to explore a full range of physical education and intramural activities. This grade structure allows the younger adolescent-aged students to transition more easily to their senior school years; advantaged in this case through innovative experiences for physcal activity.
At each grades 7-12 school, a full range of delivering physical education and intramurals is being explored, including:
- finding alternative uses for classroom and other school spaces,
- developing flexible timetables, and
- expanding outdoor education.
The transition teams are helping school principals to explore and consider these types of possibilities.
FAQ’s
What did we discover to be the pillars of success for a 7-12 school?
For 7-12 schools to be successful they must be based on the following pillars:
- Safety and security for all students
- Commitment to Character Always Initiatives
- Dedication to Student Success
- Creation of a staff that is dedicated and committed to a shared vision
- Unified and committed Administrative Team
- Community commitment and involvement in the school
- Delivery of unique, integrated programming which is project based
- Creation of a positive School Image which exudes pride
- Develop strong relationships between the 7/8 component of the school and the 9-12 component
- Effective Transition plan (transitioning students from grades 6 to grade 7 and from grades 8 to grade 9)
- Maximize the use of the facility to benefit all students equitably
When did the Upper Canada District School Board decide to create grades K-6 and 7-12 schools?
In 2007-08, the Upper Canada District School Board undertook a system-wide review of schools and programs called the Boundary 2020 Review. In May 2008 the Board of Trustees, at the conclusion of the Boundary 2020 Review, decided to close a number of elementary schools, improve student access to French language programs, adjust some school attendance boundaries and begin grades 7-12 structures at some schools.
Accordingly, grades 7-12 structures were introduced at Char-Lan DHS, Glengarry DHS, Seaway DHS, and South Grenville DHS effective September 2009.
Grades 7-12 will also begin at Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School, Gananoque SS, North Dundas DHS and Rideau DHS effective September 2011. St. Lawrence Intermediate/Secondary School, currently offering grades 7-10, will expand to grades 7-11 in September 2011 and grades 7-12 in September 2012. General Vanier SS, currently a Grades 7-10 school, will close effective September 2011.
Tagwi SS and Russell High School also have grades 7-12 structures. Rothwell Osnabruck is a Kindergarten to Grade 12 School.
Why is the Upper Canada District School Board moving ahead with grades 7-12 schools?
This is about optimizing the learning environment for students. Grades 7-12 structures are common across Ontario. In moving to grades 7-12, our schools can bring grade 7-8 students together in schools with specialized facilities to better meet their curricular needs through innovative learning environments. Grades 7-12 structures also help our adolescent students to transition over to their high school years with greater ease at a critical point of their educational pathway.
What does this mean for the K-8 schools that will now become K-6 schools?
Across the Board, the move to K-6 elementary schools has been enthusiastically received by parents and school staff with greater leadership opportunities provided to the grades 5 and 6 students.
What will be done to ensure that the students will have an easy transition to their new school?
Throughout the spring of 2011, transition events will be organized to provide opportunities for students and parents to visit the school, meet other students and staff and become familiarized and comfortable with their new school experience. Regular communication will also take place in preparation for September 2011, with web site (www.ucdsb.on.ca) updates and news bulletins that will be sent home with students.
How will the school be structured? For example, will the Grade 7-8 students be separated from the Grade 9-12 students?
Each school will organize its own layout with opportunities for integration based on the needs of the community, the physical layout of the school building, and the desire to optimize the use of facilities for all students. Sports and extra curricular events will remain separated.
What will happen to the trophies, awards, etc. at the K-8, now to become K-6, elementary school?
This will be arranged through discussions between the school principals, staff, school council and the larger community. Some schools choose to send some of their trophies with the intermediate grades; keeping others for their grade 6 graduates. Other schools choose to send all of their trophies to the grades 7-12 school; obtaining new ones for their grade 6 graduates. Each school will vary.
Will the Grade 7-8 students follow the high school timetable?
Grades 7-8 and 9-12 operate as different programs. Nonetheless, learning opportunities are enhanced with grades 7-8 access to labs, music, tech, and other specialized classrooms. Timetabling is unique to each school, with a view to optimizing these opportunities while maintaining appropriate supervision for grades 7-8’s recess and lunch periods. All students will have the same start/end time and share bussing.
What process will be used for staffing the 7-12 schools as they are implemented?
Staffing for grade 7-12 schools will align with the Board’s regular staffing process which, for all intents and purposes, takes place each spring in accordance with our collective agreements. Elementary teachers will staff the grade 7-8 division, and secondary teachers will staff the grade 9-12 division.
How will school council work?
To date, each of our 7-12 schools have organized one school council for the entire school. Please contact the principal of your school to learn more about future school council dates and how you can become involved.
Will there continue to be grade 8 graduation ceremonies?
Yes. Grade 8’s will continue to have their own separate graduation ceremonies. This is recognized as an important part of the transition for students to high school. Some of the K-6 schools also have graduation ceremonies for their grade 6 students.