The York Region District School Board will once again be offering Grade 8 Reach Ahead programs where students can earn a high school credit! This course is for students who are currently completing Grade 8 and entering Grade 9 this Fall.
These 18-day acceleration courses start Wednesday, July 2 and end Friday, July 25. Students are required to attend class from 8:45 a.m. to 3:33 p.m., with two 15-minute scheduled breaks and a 40-minute lunch period.
International Students: After the program starts, international students will be asked to pay a $225 fee electronically.
Courses
This program is a high school credit course titled, “Discovering the Workplace” (course code GLD2O), and will focus on present and future opportunities in the workplace and careers. It is designed to reinforce literacy and numeracy skills with an intentional link to trades and technology.
This program is offered at eight different locations (Bill Hogarth SS, Bur Oak SS, Keswick, HS, Maple HS, Middlefield CI, Newmarket HS, Richmond Green SS, and Thornlea SS) throughout York Region and students will select their location upon registration. Please note that courses may be cancelled or moved to another location if enrollment is not sufficient.
Students will need to bring a lunch, snacks and plenty to drink each day.
| Course Code | Course Name |
| GLD2O | Discovering the Workplace |
The learning platform is Google Classroom. Classes will be a mix of synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous learning. The teachers will be expected to be online for most of the day. A majority of the day will be spent in synchronous learning experiences (Google Meet with whole class or small groups, phone or video chats, individual conferencing – a combination of many tools to engage in synchronous learning).
In July, before the start of classes, your child will receive an email with instructions on how to log on and participate in the class.
Previous knowledge of a course language is not required as the teacher differentiates the instruction to accommodate beginner proficiency.
| Course Code | Course Name |
| LKBBD1 | Simplified Mandarin - Academic |
| LWSBD1 | Spanish - Academic |
| LITBD1 | Tamil - Academic |
Bus Schedule/Route Information
Students will attend the school that is closest to their residential area. Bussing will be provided from a selected area school. You do not have to register your student with the bus company; just ensure they are at the bus loading area of the school several minutes prior to the listed departure time.
In June, the bus schedule/route information will be available under the Summer School tab on the website www.schoolbuscity.com. All schools are listed as Summer School - "the school name" - Grade 9/10. Schools that are within the non-transportation zone (walk zone) will not have bus routes.
- Markham - East of Hwy 404 and between 16th Ave and Hwy 407
- Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Markham - East of Hwy 404 and north of 16th Ave
- Georgina
- Vaughan - West of Hwy 400
- Maple - West of Keele St and south of Kirby Rd
- Markham - East of Hwy 404 and south of Hwy 407
- East Gwillimbury
- Newmarket
- Aurora
- King - north of 15th Sideroad
- King - East of Hwy 400
- Oak Ridges
- Richmond Hill - North of Major Mackenzie Dr
- Richmond Hill - South of Major Mackenzie Dr
- Vaughan - East of Keele St
- Thornhill
- Markham - West of Hwy 404
How to Register
Register early to avoid disappointment. Decisions to run courses are based on sufficient enrolment and teacher availability.
- Register online by my Pathway Planner from March 26 until May 30. Register early to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited.
- Please refer to the my Pathway Planner Student Tip Sheet (PDF) on how to register.
- For further program information or questions about how to log in, kindly contact the student's homeroom teacher and/or day school Principal.
- From March 26 until May 30, non-YRDSB students complete the Continuing Education Services Registration Form and choose Secondary Summer School as the program type, then Grade 8 Reach Ahead with the preferred course. Register early to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited.
- Please share the confirmation email with your home school principal and have them email it to continuing.education@yrdsb.ca with their approval.