November 10th, 2026

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.

Updated for the 2026-27 School Year

Grade 8 Information Nights

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

  • Bluevale Collegiate Institute (BCI)
  • Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute (CHCI)
  • Eastwood Collegiate Institute (ECI)
  • Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS)
  • Forest Heights Collegiate Institute (FHCI)
  • Galt Collegiate Institute (GCI)
  • Glenview Park Secondary School (GPSS)
  • Grand River Collegiate Institute (GRCI)
  • Huron Heights Secondary School (HHSS)
  • Jacob Hespeler Secondary School (JHSS)
  • Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School (KCI)
  • Laurel Heights Secondary School (LHSS)
  • Preston High School (PHS)
  • Southwood Secondary School (SSS)
  • Waterloo Collegiate Institute (WCI)
  • Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School (WODSS)

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

Supporting Multilingual Learners (MLL)

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

Details will be shared through Multilingual Language Learner (MLL) elementary teachers and elementary guidance counselors. Parents, families and caregivers of MLL students are encouraged to connect with them for more information.

Bluevale Collegiate Institute (BCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

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: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

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: Tuesday, December 1, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

  • 7:00 p.m. – Integrated Arts Program Magnet presentation

Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Integrated Arts Program Magnet
  • Instrumental Strings Magnet Program
  • Multilingual Language Learners (MLL) Magnet Program
  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the ECI website.

Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the EDSS website.

Forest Heights Collegiate Institute (FHCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Thursday, December 3, 2026 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Extended French Magnet Program
  • Multilingual Language Learners (MLL) Magnet Program
  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the FHCI website.

Galt Collegiate Institute (GCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, January 13, 2027 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 18, 2026

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • French Immersion Magnet Program
  • Multilingual Language Learners (MLL) Magnet Program
  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs
  • Tech – Design School Pathway

Visit the GCI website.

Glenview Park Secondary School (GPSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, November 25, 2026 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 18, 2026

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information about:

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

Visit the GPSS website.

Grand River Collegiate Institute (GRCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Fast Forward Magnet Program
  • Instrumental Strings Magnet Program
  • Extended French Magnet Program

Visit the GRCI website.

Huron Heights Secondary School (HHSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the HHSS website.

Jacob Hespeler Secondary School (JHSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 9, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 18, 2026

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

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

Visit the JHSS website.

Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School (KCI)

Grade 8 Information Nights: Thursday, November 26, 2026 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

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

Visit the KCI website.

Laurel Heights Secondary School (LHSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Thursday, December 3, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

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

Visit the LHSS website.

Preston High School (PHS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, January 13, 2027 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 18, 2026

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the PHS website.

Southwood Secondary School (SSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, November 18, 2026

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the SSS website.

Waterloo Collegiate Institute (WCI)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, November 25, 2026

  • 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for Magnet Programs
  • 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. for Mainstream Programs

Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Instrumental Strings Magnet Program
  • Extended French Magnet Program
  • Multilingual Language Learners (MLL) Magnet Program
  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the WCI website.

Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School (WODSS)

Grade 8 Information Night: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Visit Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2027

The Grade 8 Information Night will also include information on:

  • Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs

Visit the WODSS website.