Structured Teaching Classroom (Elementary)
The Structured Teaching Class (STC) is a Community Class for students who are on an alternative academic program (A4). The emphasis is on functional skill development in literacy and numeracy. In addition, the program encompasses refining students鈥� daily living and employability skills, social skills and communication skills. Elements of Structured Teaching methods are introduced to increase student independence and to prepare the students as they transition to secondary school. Students participate in many events and activities offered in a regular school day. Structured Teaching Classes are for students in grades 5 to 8.
Locations:
St. Raphael, St Gregory, Holy Rosary Milton, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Josephine Bakhita
Placement options:
Placement 4: Special education Class with Partial Integration
Placement 5: Specialized Class Full-Time
Cap: 10
Essential Skills Class (Elementary)
The Essential Skills classes are for students on a modified program who are at least 2 years below grade level in literacy and numeracy. The students in these classes work on a modified curriculum as outlined on the student鈥檚 IEP. Students learn social skills and life skills to become more independent. Self-advocacy and the use of technology are also a focus of the class. Students are usually integrated for a period of the day to be with their same-age peers for subjects such as Music, Art, Religion, Phys-ed, Drama and Dance. Essential Skills Classes are for students in grades 5 to 8.
Locations:
Ascension, St. John Paull II, Our Lady of Victory, St. Brigid
Placement options:
Placement 4: Special Education Class with Partial Integration
Cap: 16
Community Living Class (Elementary)
The Community Living Class is for students with mixed exceptionalities. Per Ministry regulations, this class supports no more than 10 students per section. The admission criteria for this class are heavily weighted in favour of medically fragile students, are not ambulatory and require support for feeding and toileting, and in some cases, nursing care. Community Living Classes are for students from kindergarten to Grade 8.
Locations:
St. Teresa of Calcutta
Placement options:
Placement 4: Special education Class with Partial Integration
Placement 5: Specialized Class Full-Time
Cap: 10
Gifted Classroom (Elementary)
Specialized classes for students identified as 鈥楪ifted鈥� provide opportunities for growth and friendship with students from regular classes as well as from like ability peers in a contained class setting. Modifications of pace, depth and complexity will be provided according to the grade level Ontario curriculum. For a student to be considered eligible for gifted programming, his/her intellectual functioning must fall in the very superior range, at or above the 98th percentile as indicated on an appropriate full-scale psycho-educational assessment, or relevant sub-tests as determined by the supervising psychologist or psychological associate. Students formally identified as Intellectual: Gifted in Grades 5 to 8 are eligible to attend.
Locations:
Canadian Martyrs, St. Andrew, Our Lady of Victory
Placement options:
Placement 4: Special education Class with Partial Integration
Cap: 25
Life Skills Classroom (Secondary)
The Secondary Life Skill Program is designed for students who are working on alternative (non-credit) curriculum with post-secondary goals of supported living and/or supported employment. Students may have a special education placement of 鈥楽pecial Education: Full-Time鈥�, 鈥楽pecial Education: Partial鈥� or 鈥楽pecial Education: Withdrawal鈥�. Integration is based on special education placement as determined by IPRCs and in consultation with parents. Education goals focus on the improvement of employability or leisure skills. All students work on literacy and numeracy goals with a special education teacher daily.
Locations:
All HCDSB Secondary Schools
Placement options:
Placement 4: Special education Class with Partial Integration
Placement 5: Specialized Class Full-Time
Cap: 聽聽聽聽 Placement 4: 16
Placement 5: 10
Special Education Programs
Thrive Program聽(Elementary)
The Thrive Program is a system-level alternative education program designed to support students in Grades 7 and 8, whose social and emotional well-being creates barriers to participating in a regular classroom setting at their home school and/or experiencing significant challenges with regular attendance. The program focuses on providing individualized support to help students develop the skills, strategies, and confidence needed to successfully transition back to their home school and engage meaningfully in a regular classroom environment. The program is well suited for students who are developing an understanding of their emotional well-being and behaviours, and the impact these have on themselves and others. Students must be open to participating in skill-building experiences that promote positive personal, social, and academic outcomes. Students must have attended their home school for a minimum of one academic term before being considered for the program. Referrals are submitted by the home school through a formal application process, in accordance with timelines established throughout the school year.
Location:
St. Bernadette
Placement Options:
Placement 1: Regular Classroom with Indirect Support
Cap: 8
Transformations Program聽(Secondary)
The Transformations Program is designed to support secondary students in Grades 9 through 12, who are experiencing significant challenges with regular attendance or whose social and emotional well-being creates barriers to earning academic credits. The program provides targeted, individualized support to help students re-engage with learning and build pathways toward success. The program is well suited for students who are developing an awareness of how their behaviour impacts themselves and others, and who are open to strengthening the skills needed to support positive academic, social, and personal outcomes. The primary goal of the Secondary Transformations Program is to support students in developing the skills, strategies, and confidence required to successfully transition back to their home school and participate fully in a regular classroom setting. Students must have attended their home school for a minimum of one semester prior to being considered for the program. Referrals are submitted by the home school through a formal application process, following timelines established throughout the school year.
Locations:
Bishop Reding, Corpus Christi
Placement Options:
Placement 1: Regular Classroom with Indirect Support
Cap: 8