Secondary School

Note: Secondary School and High School mean the same thing.

Timeframe	Event
November	Specialty Secondary Schools* Information Evening and Open House
November / December	Grade 8 students visit Bur Oak Secondary School
January/ February	Secondary school guidance counselors visit grade 8 classrooms to distribute course selection information packages
January/ February	Grade 8 Information Evening and Open House Download the schedule (PDF 98 KB).
August	Grade 9 Registration Day
September	Parent Information Night

*Specialty Secondary Schools: Bill Crothers Secondary School, Arts Unionville, International Baccalaureate

Introduction

Preparing for secondary school can be a very exciting time. It can also be a time when students feel nervous and unsure about the change. In secondary school students are more personally responsible for their learning. This is a great opportunity as well as a great responsibility. However, students do not do it alone.

The grade 8 teachers and elementary school staff, as well as the secondary school staff are there to assist students and parents in any manner necessary. Secondary school guidance counselors visit the grade 8 classes to distribute the course selection information package and provide a detailed presentation on secondary school life and secondary school graduation requirements.

Parents and students are invited to attend an information/open house evening at the local secondary school which will include both a detailed presentation and an opportunity to tour the school. The students have yet another opportunity to visit the school for a tour to see classes in action, generally sometime in early December.

Registration day takes place in August and it includes picking up timetables, locker assignment and the payment of student activity fees. Once your child is settled in to classes in September, there will be an opportunity for you to attend an information night to meet their teachers.

Secondary School

When our students graduate from grade 8 at Cornell Village Public School, they have several options for secondary school. Our neighbourhood feeder school is Bur Oak Secondary School (BOSS) and all transition activities for secondary school are done in conjunction with the staff at BOSS. We have a transition team made up of staff from the elementary schools that feed BOSS and the staff at BOSS to ensure that our students have opportunities to visit and learn about course options and extra-curricular activities. We also make sure that BOSS staff are aware of all special needs well in advance of the arrival of our students.

Sometimes parents ask about such activities related to Brother Andre Catholic Secondary School (BACSS), but BACSS is not part of YRDSB and, therefore, we do not have a partnership with them.

Bur Oak Secondary School (BOSS)

BOSS is the home secondary/high school for Cornell students. All students intending to continue in the public school Board-York Region District School Board (YRDSB)-will fill out an option card for BOSS. Students wishing to transfer to another school, for example, Markville Secondary School, Unionville High School, or Markham District High School, need to apply for a transfer to that school when submitting the option sheet to BOSS. The Application for Transfer form is available at all schools (elementary or secondary); just ask the secretary. A transfer will be granted or declined based on the following criteria:

there is room at the receiving school,
the parents supply transportation to the school,
in the opinion of the Principal and Superintendent of Education, the transfer will not jeopardize the program in the receiving or sending school (e.g., no loss of courses), and
in the opinion of the Principal and Superintendent of Education, the transfer is in the best interest of the student (YRDSB Policy # 108.00)

Visit the BOSS Web site.

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Options for CVPS Students

Specialty Secondary Schools

Attendance at the specialty secondary schools are by special application only. For more information on any of these programs please visit the specific school web site.

The Arts Program at Unionville High School

This is a special program for students who are both talented and interested in the Arts, perhaps as a career or post secondary option. The students have the opportunity to specialize in one of, Music (vocal or instrumental), Drama, Dance or Fine Arts. Students must apply and audition for this program.

Visit the Arts Program at Unionville High School Web site.

Bill Crothers Secondary School

This is a regional school that has a focus on active living and sports. It is a great fit for competitive athletes who often miss school due to travel schedules, but is also an option for those who enjoy active living as a lifestyle. Students must apply for this program.

Visit the Bill Crothers Secondary School Web site.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program at Bayview Secondary School is a challenging two-year curriculum primarily aimed at students aged 16-19. It leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. The pre-IB (enrichment) Grade 9 and 10 program provides a challenging curriculum that prepares students for the Diploma Program in grades 11 and 12. There is a $1500. fee for both grades 11 and 12 (not 9 and 10). Students must apply for this program.

Visit the International Baccalaureate Program Web site.
Visit the International Baccalaureate Web site.

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