About the Program

Is your child currently in Grade 8?

Grade 9 is an exciting, yet challenging milestone. Be prepared for those first few weeks/months of Grade 9 at our Catholic Secondary Schools next September.

Since 2010, St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board have worked together to create a phenomenal program called HeadStart to Grade 9. HeadStart addresses academic and social anxiety, provides Gr 8 students going into Grade 9 with the tools of academic readiness, study and organizational skills to achieve success and a chance to connect with peers (old and new) in meaningful ways during this transition

HeadStart is a voluntary, in-person, free and only available to soon-to-be Grade 9 students enrolled in our Catholic Secondary Schools starting next September.

During HeadStart, students will engage in small group and large group activities throughout the school, so that students can gradually adjust to the “largeness” of high school. As students prepare for this significant transition, HeadStart is offered just before the new school year begins. The program is infused with literacy and numeracy activities and the all-important social adjustment factor, therefore providing students with those preliminary tools to be academically successful at the beginning of the school year.

What They Will Learn

How does HeadStart make a difference?
Learn about:

• What the Grade 9 school year will look like for high school students?
• How technology and in-person learning blends in a high school setting
• Strategies to manage a semester system
• Following a timetable, finding classes, and meeting new peers who will join you – ahead of time
• Navigating other parts of the school and how to access ‘people’ resources
• Belonging to a new school community before the first day of school

Don’t be nervous. Bring out your Best!
For over 15 years. students and parents alike have repeatedly shared how this program “transforms” them.

Confidence increases, attitude toward school is positive, bonds with new friends are meaningful, and achievement in course work is focused. HeadStart is only a small piece of the whole transition to high school, however this concentrated effort by each Catholic Secondary School is making a difference!