Success in Secondary School

As you and your family use this on-line Course and Program Calendar to decide which courses you would like to take next year, here are some things to think about to help make your school experience fun and successful.

Many of our students go straight from secondary school to work or apprenticeship. If you think this is what you want to do, choose courses that will help you find work that you enjoy and are good at. Applied courses in Grades 9 and 10, and workplace preparation and cooperative education courses in Grades 11 and 12 are a great way to get ready for your first job.

Ask your teachers, Student Services, and family and friends for advice. They know you and your interests and abilities, and they can help you to pick the right courses for what you want to do.

If you are considering college or university, take a mix of courses to find the things that interest you and that you might want to study after you have finished secondary school.

Try to select some courses that you want to take in addition to the courses you have to take. Having a balance of necessary courses and interest courses can make your school life more enjoyable.

Try something that you have never thought about before.

Start early to get your 40 hours of community service. Too many students suddenly find out that they can’t graduate because they forgot this important part of school. Start in Grade 9.

Be careful about how many hours you work in jobs outside of school. Research tells us that students who work more than 15 hours a week don’t do as well in school as those who work less than that.

Chuck Reid – Director of Education