St. Louis Graduates 538 for Class of 2021
After a week-long graduation celebration in the cafeteria of St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Centre – Kitchener Main Campus, we are so proud of the 538 certificates and diplomas earned by our students.
9 Ways to earn Secondary School Credits
Earn in a Class
Of this total, 379 students achieved their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) in 2020-2021. Last year, ALL secondary school credit day classes (1) and correspondence (2) courses were held online, and many students persisted toward this goal. Guidance counsellors worked remotely with those adult students who wanted to have their learning gained through work and life experience assessed against the Ontario curriculum. By doing Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition – PLAR (3), up to 26 credits could be granted and the final 4 credits earned at St. Louis. This past month, some daytime credit classes returned to in-person learning and we have already begun to register for Term 3. Registration is open until December 16 for classes that begin January 5 . PLAR and correspondence have continuous intake.
Earn while you Work
Other students navigated Covid restrictions by earning secondary school credits in-person and on the job, through our Credits@Work (4) program. Every hour worked counted as credit hour earned. 110 hours are needed to earn each credit. Students earn earn these as co-op credits toward their OSSD and employers gain a greater skilled work force and students.
Earn while you Gain Skills
We also helped students earn credits and gain skills through our three School-to-Work programs (#5,6,7 ways to earn secondary school credits). 2020-2021 Certificates were granted to 23 Culinary Arts students, 46 Hairstyling students and 90 Personal Support Workers – almost all working in their respective industries.
We are currently registering for the Pre-Apprenticeship Hairstyling Training classes that begin on January 6th and April 4th, 2022. A minimum of 16 secondary school credits is required to start, tuition is covered by the Ministry of Education, the equipment and materials fee is $1300, and teachers are Ontario Certified with years of previous and current industry experience. Complete the Pre-registration Form online to get started!
The full-time (Mon – Fri) day (8:45-3:30) PSW Certificate program that starts February 22, 2022 and is the last chance to take advantage of the free tuition, free materials fees and the 300 hour paid placement covered by the government of Ontario. Start class in February, and be work-ready by November! Pre-Register Now and be invited for a PSW admissions presentation and interview on one of the following dates:
- Monday, January 10th, 10:00am-1:00pm
- Monday, January 24th, 5;00pm-8:00pm
- Monday, February 7th, 10:00am-1:00pm
**While the Culinary Arts Program is under a program review for 2022, expressions of interest are welcomed.
Earn while you learn a language
While many students rely on that upgraded math, science or English credit toward their high school diploma, the 8th way some of our graduates may have earned a credit is through language credit classes (8). In the new year, we will begin planning the course offerings and registration processes for an exciting Fall 2022 line-up of languages taught by Ontario Certified Teachers September 2022- June 2023. International Languages – Secondary prepares youth and adults for post-secondary studies and careers in the fields of business, trade and communications.
Earn in Summer
Even though snow is on the ground now, we ‘Think Summer” early at St. Louis. Of the 538 graduates, a handful might say that ‘Summer School 2021‘ contributed toward their OSSD. However, there are hundreds of youth from Grade 8 – Grade 12 each year who choose St. Louis summer school, and summer co-op, as part of their secondary school credit journey. Watch for details in late February, early March about Summer 2022 course offerings.
If ever you thought it was too late or not possible, contact St. Louis Guidance Services because we believe there is Hope, Opportunity and Success for All who attend St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres.
To view a few of our happy graduates: 2021 St Louis Graduation2
