November 14th, 2022

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Grade 8 students across the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) are beginning to look towards the next step in their educational journey. To help them, secondary schools are getting ready to share more information about how they support student learning.

Grade 8 Information Nights

Find information on each secondary school’s Grade 8 Information Night:

About Grade 8 Information Nights

These information sessions will focus on Grade 8 students’ transition to secondary school, including:

  • Course selection process
  • Programs available
  • Graduation requirements (OSSC and OSSD)
  • In-school student supports
  • Extracurricular activities
  • And more

English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD) Magnet Program Virtual Information Nights

The following virtual question and answer sessions are for parents and caregivers of Grade 8 multilingual learner (MLL) students who are interested in the ESL and ELD Magnet Program.

  • Spanish: Monday, December 5, 2022 from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
  • English: Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
  • Ukrainian: Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Arabic: Monday, December, 12, 2022 from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
  • Somali: Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

Further details and information about the ESL and ELD Magnet Program Virtual Information Nights will be shared through MLL elementary teachers and elementary guidance counsellors. Families of MLL students are encouraged to connect with them for more information.

Bluevale Collegiate Institute (BCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Time TBD

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Choose to Lead Program
  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the BCI website.

Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute (CHCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: TBD

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the CHCI website.

Eastwood Collegiate Institute (ECI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 6 to 8:45 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Time TBD

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Arts, Sports and Transportation Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs
  • Integrated Arts Program Magnet

Visit the ECI website.

Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Visit the EDSS website.

Forest Heights Collegiate Institute (FHCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Time TBD

Visit the FHCI website.

Galt Collegiate Institute (GCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

  • 6:30 p.m. – Presentation in Auditorium
  • 7:00 p.m. – Open House and Self-Guided Tour

Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Visit the GCI website.

Glenview Park Secondary School (GPSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Magnet Night: Tuesday, November 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The Magnet Night will include information about:

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
  • Fast Forward Program

Visit the GPSS website.

Grand River Collegiate Institute (GRCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Time TBD

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Fast Forward Program

Visit the GRCI website.

Huron Heights Secondary School (HHSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Visit the HHSS website.

Jacob Hespeler Secondary School (JHSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

  • 6:30 p.m. – Fast Forward Overview in the Library
  • 6:30 p.m. – Fall Program Overview in the Cafeteria
  • 7 to 8 p.m. – Open House

Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

The Grade 8 Information Night will include:

  • Presentation and open house with each department

Visit the JHSS website.

Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School (KCI)

Grade 8 Information Nights: Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
French Immersion and Fast Forward Information Night: Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Time TBD

Visit the KCI website.

Laurel Heights Secondary School (LHSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Spring 2023

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Fast Forward Program
  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the LHSS website.

Preston High School (PHS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Visit the PHS website.

Southwood Secondary School (SSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Visit the SSS website.

Waterloo Collegiate Institute (WCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, November 23, 2022

  • 6 to 7 p.m.: Magnet Programs
  • 7 to 9 p.m.: General Programs

Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Time TBD

Visit the WCI website.

Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School (WODSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 – Time TBD

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the WODSS website.