Guidance Services
Guidance Office is NOW OPEN
Guidance Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm (the last guidance appointment of the day will begin at 3:30pm, walk-ins welcome, you do not need to book an appointment)
NOTE: Long line-ups will be expected the week of August 25-29 for students registering for Term 1 Day Classes.
Need a copy of your St. Louis Transcript?
If you need a copy of your transcript, please complete the Transcript Request Form.
Transcript Inquiries: Mary.Germann@wcdsb.ca , Guidance Dept. Administrative Assistant
Guidance Email for sending documents only: stlouisguidance@wcdsb.ca
Please check your email (including junk folder), the St Louis and WCDSB websites regularly for updates.
To connect with a St. Louis guidance counsellor and discuss pathways and programs that are best for you, you can stop by the guidance office Monday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm (the last guidance appointment of the day will begin at 3:30pm, walk-ins welcome, you do not need to book an appointment).
See the list of guidance services below for more information.
Talking to a Guidance Counsellor at St. Louis is not entirely like when you were in high school last.
St. Louis Guidance Counsellors are also certified teachers with Guidance qualifications and experience, however they also understand your adult responsibilities, perspectives and sense of urgency to get where you want to go.
To consult about academic planning, please come in-person to begin the process. A Guidance Intake Form will need to be completed before your first contact with a St. Louis Guidance Counsellor during Guidance Office Hours Monday to Friday – in person, phone or virtual – by appointment.
Location: St. Louis – 80 Young Street, Kitchener
Guidance Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:30am – 4:00pm
ID Requirements:
- Proof of Status in Canada (any of the following):
- Permanent Resident Card
- Refugee Papers and Photo ID
- Status Card and Photo ID
- Canadian Birth Certificate and Photo ID
- Canadian Citizenship Card or Certificate and Photo ID
- Canadian Passport
- Photo ID (to accompany any documents listed above without a photo, we cannot accept a Health Card)
- High School Transcript, Graduation Credit Summary, or Canadian Language Benchmarks
- Proof of Current Mailing Address — we cannot accept a Driver’s License or Cellphone Bill, but can accept any of the following:
- Utility Bill (Water, Gas, or Electricity)
- Property Tax Bill
- Home Phone/Internet/ Cable Bill
- Purchase/ Rental/ Lease Agreement
- Bank Document
- Report Card
Language Requirements
- Students who wish to earn secondary school credits and previously attended or are currently attending ESL/LINC classes must provide verification of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 6 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Current High School Students
- Students who attended regular high school in the last year must have a Principal to Principal Transfer Request Form sent to St. Louis prior to registration. Ask your current high school Guidance Counsellor to initiate this transfer request form.
PLAR Review
- Please bring an up-to-date Resume, if you wish to have your work and volunteer experience recognized under PLAR.
St. Louis Guidance Counsellors will work with current and prospective students to determine what is still required to meet graduation requirements and achieve your OSSD. Click here for Graduation Requirements. If you already have your OSSD, and need to upgrade credits for a better grade or take a College or University level Secondary School Credit, Guidance will provide direction on how taking a credit class at St. Louis will impact your overall grade average and updated transcript.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (mPLAR) is a process that helps mature students obtain recognition for learning outside of formal education settings. PLAR focuses on what adults already know and what they can do. For example, have you lived on your own and managed your own money, do you have children, have you worked or volunteered and learned new skills. These elements are just a handful of the situations we evaluate to determine how that life experience may be attached to secondary school credits. At St. Louis, we can help you obtain recognition for this life and work experience.
Click here to view the PLAR information video: Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Who is Eligible?
PLAR is available to mature students who entered an Ontario high school after 1999, or would like to graduate under the current Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements.
Are you:
- At least 18 years old on or before December 31 of this school year?
- Enrolled in a Secondary School Credit program for the purpose of obtaining an OSSD
- Out of high school for at least 10 months before returning as an adult
- New to the Ontario Secondary School system, as of February 1, 2004 AND working toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). (Students who have studied out of province or out of country would also qualify under this criteria)
You may earn up to 26 secondary school credits using PLAR for Mature students. The last 4 credits MUST be earned via any combination of our day class, hybrid, correspondence, online, language credit, skills training or Credits@Work options. Credits offered in Skills Training programs are elective credits only.
To receive a PLAR application and connect with a St. Louis Guidance Counsellor, please complete a Guidance Intake Form. A guidance counsellor will contact you via email (in queue) during our office hours.
International Visa Student Program – https://international.wcdsb.ca/
Overview
St Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centres offers High School credit courses taught in English for the purpose of obtaining the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and/or upgrading for post-secondary education. Credits can be earned through our Adult Day School program (5 Terms) , Correspondence / Self Study program (continuous Intake) or any of our three school to work / skills training programs: Culinary Arts Credit courses & Certificate program, Hairstyling and Barbering Certificate, and Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate.
Acceptance into a St Louis Adult & Continuing Education program in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board will be determined by:
- An assessment of the student’s educational background and present academic standing as indicated on their transcripts. Secondary students must have a performance grade level of 65%. (High School Transcripts must be faxed or emailed to stlouisguidance@wcdsb.ca prior to acceptance (see Procedures section).
- The availability of space in specific secondary credit courses. Early enrolment is recommended to ensure access to the course of choice and desired program.
- An assessment of the student’s English language proficiency. Students will need to provide evidence of a TOEFL score between 79-93, or IELTS at 6.5, or CLB at level 6 (in listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in order to be accepted into our adult high school credit courses. If you have taken language tests other than those listed above, please contact St Louis directly to determine whether they will meet language testing requirements.
The WCDSB school tuition and RDO administration fees must be paid in full to the WCDSB Resource Development Office, 35 Weber Street West, Unit A, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2G 4G2 before the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) is issued. After receiving the school fees payment, the WCDSB will issue an official letter of acceptance. The official letter of acceptance is required for the student to apply for a Study Permit at the Canadian Embassy in order to study in Canada.
Please note: For students applying to study in Canada for the first time, their Study Permits must be obtained before entering Canada. Students who are already studying in Canada may renew their Study Permits from Citizenship & Immigration Canada from within Canada.
All students must apply for and receive a Study Permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada before leaving their home country to attend a school in Canada. Guidelines and an application form can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp or at the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate in the student’s home country. Students should contact the Canadian visa office in their home country to see if they are required to fill out any additional forms or provide any additional documents.
Procedure and Requirements
- Send an email to stlouisguidance@wcdsb.ca to begin your application process. In the body of the email please indicate the program you are interested in at St Louis and the reason you wish to study with us. Attach the following documents to this email:
- Scanned copies of high school transcripts from the most recent and previous two years of study
- Evidence of English proficiency
- Complete the International Student Application Form. Once this is completed and we have received your transcripts a guidance counsellor will contact you to help you select your courses. We will then send you a Request for Invoice for administration and tuition fees. You will then contact the ROD office to make arrangements for your tuition payment.
- The administration and tuition fees must be received prior to the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) being issued by the School Board. Payment may be submitted by certified cheque, wire transfer or money order.
- A student is responsible to apply for a Visa and Study Permit. Only students with a Secondary School Study Permit will be granted course credits.
- Students should ensure they arrive a couple days prior to the beginning of the term. This is important if the student wishes to begin classes the first day of the term.
- Students will receive their study permit once they have been processed through Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the point of entry.
- Upon arrival at St Louis, the student must present their passport containing the visa with stamped entry date, and study permit. You will also need to provide documentation showing your Canadian address, and a receipt showing your tuition payment.
Document Requirements
Students must submit the following:
- A final transcript or school record from high school and post-secondary (if attended) must be faxed to 519 745-9269 or documents emailed to stlouisguidance@wcdsb.ca Photocopies of transcripts/certificates must be certified with an official school stamp. Failure to comply will result in a delay. Secondary students must have a performance grade level of 75% or B+ equivalent.
- Completed International Student Application Form
- Completed New Student Registration Form
- Two administration fees of CDN $375.00 + HST and $45.50 +HST is to be made payable to the Waterloo Catholic District School Board by certified cheque, bank draft or money order. The administration fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.
Programs
Please note: On arrival in Canada, International Students may NOT transfer to another school in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. In special circumstances, St. Louis Administration may consider a change of program at St. Louis.
School Fees – Secondary Schools (Grade 9-12)
One credit course (adult day school or correspondence) is CDN $1900.00
One day school term (2 credits) CDN $3,800 for a maximum of 2 courses per school term
plus two administration fees noted above and if applicable, a Correspondence Fee $60/course
Health Insurance- Students must arrange their own health insurance to be covered during their stay in Canada.
Admissions – International Students NOTE: Look under Terms and Conditions on this WCDSB Admissions page for the complete refund policy.
Students must submit the following as condition of acceptance:
- A valid Study Permit.
- A valid Passport.
- Most recent Transcripts.
- Valid health insurance coverage.
Registration at school
- All new students will be required to register at St. Louis one week prior to the start of school. At this time, secondary students will be asked to show their tuition receipt, Passport, Study Permit and valid health coverage.
Disclaimer: WCDSB and St. Louis reserve the right to alter information including program content, requirements, fees and availability as necessary.
Connect with a St. Louis Guidance Counsellor by completing a Guidance Intake Form to discuss how your International Education is recognized in Ontario.
International Credentials Assessment Services of Canada
World Education Services
Were you ever on an IEP?
If you require learning accommodations in any class at St. Louis, please contact our guidance staff. You will need to provide documentation to support your learning accommodations:
- a copy of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from your former school
- a medical note
- or a Psycho-Educational Assessment (including tests of intelligence and cognitive abilities, memory, achievement tests, and measures of behaviour)
Do you want support to reach your academic goals?
Talk to our Guidance Department about our Student Success resources and academic accommodations that will support your path to success.
If you do not have your OSSD and want support to achieve a Secondary School Credit course, consider starting with Core Essentials (an individualized learning support program for adults) at St. Louis – Kitchener Main Campus. Please contact stlouis@wcdsb.ca to find our which programs are offered in-person and remotely.
Applying to College and University can be overwhelming.
You have to stay on top of all the steps, timelines and meet deadlines to get into the post-secondary program of your choice.
St. Louis Guidance staff are here to assist students with this process and are extremely knowledgeable about the numerous skills training and post-secondary certificate and degree programs across the province.
St Louis Post-Secondary Consent Forms are required. See Guidance for details.
Applying to College?
Past St. Louis Students: Complete your application through ontariocolleges.ca and request for your transcript to be sent directly on to OCAS within the application.
Current St. Louis Students: Complete your application through ontariocolleges.ca and then fill out the College Application Consent Form which is available through the Student Portal or by emailing your Guidance Counsellor:
Maria Leonardo (students with last names A-C and U-Z): maria.leonardo@wcdsb.ca
Patti Walsh (students with last names D-L: patti.walsh@wcdsb.ca
Maria Lucko (students with last names M-T): maria.lucko@wcdsb.ca
Applying to University?
Here are some helpful websites:
Past St. Louis Students: Complete your application through ouac.on.ca and request for your transcript to be sent directly on to OCAS within the application
Current St. Louis Students: Complete your application through ouac.on.ca and then fill out the University Application Consent Form which is available through the Student Portal or by emailing your Guidance Counsellor:
Maria Leonardo (students with last names A-C and U-Z): maria.leonardo@wcdsb.ca
Patti Walsh (students with last names D-L: patti.walsh@wcdsb.ca
Maria Lucko (students with last names M-T): maria.lucko@wcdsb.ca
IMPORTANT:
If you need to make changes to the courses you intended to take this year for your college or university application, please complete the Post-Secondary Course Update Form available through the Student Portal or contact your Guidance Counsellor to request the direct link to the form.
Looking for a scholarship or bursary opportunity for post-secondary?
Here are a few links to get you started:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans.html
https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program
Completed all your OSSD Requirements? (including your 40 hours of community involvement)
You must let Guidance know before Aug 31 that you have completed all your credits and that you intend to graduate with us for the 2024-2025 school year.
Ontario Secondary School Diplomas (OSSD) are issued only once a year.
If you are a current student completing your last few credits, and all of your OSSD Requirements (including your 40 hours of community service), please be sure to complete an Intent to Graduate Form. Only current students can complete the Intent to Graduate Form. All others must come in-person to initiate registration, meet with or email your assigned Guidance counsellor.
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is an important Ministry of Education document that many employers require proof of and we like to celebrate with you.
Note: We cannot mail your diploma to you. If you need to pick up your diploma, contact the St. Louis Main office first, during office hours. Bring photo ID.
Consider getting a grad photo taken by contacting Highland Camera and making arrangements anytime of the year. Exclusive opportunity for St. Louis Graduates.
ABOUT OUR GUIDANCE STAFF
Maria Leonardo – Maria.Leonardo@wcdsb.ca – x 232 Guidance Department Head (student last names A-C & T-Z)
Patti Walsh – Patti.Walsh@wcdsb.ca x213 (student last names D-L)
Maria Lucko – Maria.Lucko@wcdsb.ca x237 (student last names M-T)
During peak registration times, we have other experienced guidance counsellors available to review your transcript, develop an education plan and register you for your next secondary school credit course.
Mary Germann – Mary.Germann@wcdsb.ca – Administrative Assistant
David Kugler– David.Kugler@wcdsb.ca – Administrative Assistant
For more information on Guidance Services at St. Louis:
First step is always to come in-person to St. Louis Kitchener Main Campus – bring ID
After completing this first step, please check your email for a message from St. Louis (including your junk or spam folders) before calling St. Louis school.
