Head Start Program
The Head Start - Transitioning to High School program is available to all Grade 8 students going into Grade 9 at one of our Durham Catholic District School Board high schools. Head Start is scheduled to run in-person. Parents/Guardians are responsible for transportation to and from the secondary school.
The program involves a review of language and mathematics skills and provides students with a preview of the Grade 9 curriculum for Mathematics, English and Study Skills. Health and well-being and fun activities are also integrated into the program. This program is non-credit.
Students who took the program last year shared what they enjoyed most about the program:
“I like how well it prepared me for high school.”
“I liked how the teacher shared a lot of information about the school and classes”.
“The lessons on Study Skills were very useful.”
“The teachers were really friendly.”
Registration for Head Start 2025
Registration for Current Durham Catholic DSB Grade 8 Students
Registration for Non-DCDSB Grade 8 Students (currently registered in another school board) who will be attending a DCDSB High School in Sept. 2025
Please register before Friday, June 27, 2025.
Dates
Our Head Start program runs from Monday August 18 to Thursday, August 21, 2025 (8:30 am - 1:30 pm).
Locations
We offer the Head Start program at each of the following secondary schools:
- St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
- Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School
- Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School
- Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
- All Saints Catholic Secondary School
- Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School
- Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School
Format
Head Start will be held in class at the secondary school.
For questions about our Summer School program, please email cont.ed@dcdsb.ca
