The move from Grade 8 to Grade 9 is an exciting time in a student's life. To help Grade 8 students make a smooth transition to secondary school, students, teachers, and families are involved in an extensive planning process that takes place between December and August each year.
In the new year, Student Success Team members from secondary schools will connect with Grade 8 classrooms to explain course and program choices for the following year. Students will be automatically transferred to their home secondary school based on their current home elementary school. You can locate your student’s home secondary school by going to the school locator and entering the student's permanent home address under School Eligibility.
Students who have applied to Choices at 9 programs will be notified by January 24, 2022 and will need to confirm their acceptance by January 31, 2022. If you have further questions regarding this process, please contact your student’s current elementary school. 
Connections with secondary guidance counsellors are a good opportunity to get questions answered about secondary school opportunities. Students and families are encouraged to make use of the myBlueprint tool that allows students to plan and select high school courses, explore occupations and post-secondary options, and record important information and reflections related to their career and education planning. Families of students with exceptional learning needs are encouraged to reach out to their elementary school team to explore programming options for their student. 
In August, students will receive Grade 9 timetables, and we are hopeful that students will be given the opportunity to tour their secondary school to become familiar with classrooms, to be assigned lockers, and to pick up textbooks.
In September, there are many people available at the high school to support students in their transition. Administrators, teachers, guidance counsellors, student success teachers, learning support teachers, adolescent care workers, and student mentors all want to make the first year of secondary school a successful and positive experience. Students and families should not hesitate to ask questions and get help.