Reach Ahead Program

If you are a Grade 8 student registered to attend a high school in the Durham Catholic District School Board in September, a Grade 9 credit is available this summer as part of our Reach Ahead Program.

Students are eligible to take one Reach Ahead course only.

Reach Ahead courses are not open to current secondary school students.

Details

Date: July 6 - July 29, 2026

All courses run Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 2:37 p.m.

Registration

Current DCDSB Grade 8 students will select their Reach Ahead course on myBlueprint.

DCDSB - Registration Instructions for myBlueprint

Student will log into their myBlueprint Account and follow these instructions:

1. Click on Continuing Education in the left-hand menu

2. Click on Explore Courses

3. Click on Gr. 8 Reach Ahead In-Person or Gr. 8 Reach Ahead Online and choose your course.

4. Click Submit Course

5. Click Sign Off Sheet

Students must print off their Gr 8 Reach Ahead Summer School course.

Students will submit the printed and signed Gr. 8 Reach Ahead Summer School course sheet to their Grade 8 teacher.

Registration will be available until April 30, 2026.

Non-DCDSB students who are registered to attend a DCDSB secondary school: Register Here

e-Learning (online) Offerings

Successful completion of an e-Learning course fulfills one of the two online learning credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) unless they have been opted out or exempted in accordance with the processes described in this memorandum. In addition, a course code beginning with "T" fulfills the new Grade 9/10 Technological Education requirement for the OSSD.

· Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset (BEM1O)

· Issues in Canadian Geography (CGC1W)

· Issues in Canadian Geography - French Immersion (CGC1WF)

· U.P. (Ultimate Potential) Math (GLS1O)

· Communications Technology and the Skilled Trades (TGJ1O)

· Health Care Technology and the Skilled Trades (TPJ1O)

In-Person Offerings

All courses run from 8:30 am - 2:37 pm from July 6 - 31, 2026:

· Exploring Canadian Geography (CGC1W) - All Saints Catholic Secondary School (Whitby)

· Technology and the Skilled Trades (TAS1O) - St. Mary Catholic Secondary School (Pickering)

· Technology and the Skilled Trades (TAS1O) - All Saints Catholic Secondary School (Whitby)

Course Information for All Reach Ahead Courses

Due to the compressed timeframe in a summer high school credit course, students can only register for the equivalent of one Reach Ahead course in the summer, and can not combine a high school credit course with any other course or program. Students are not permitted to register for both sessions.
Students are expected to attend all 18 days of the course.
Students are expected to adhere to the standard rules of Academic Integrity and follow the Code of Conduct.

Course Information for eLearning (online) Courses

Students in an online course will be expected to adhere to the standard rules of Academic Integrity and follow the Code of Conduct as expected of students in the face-to-face classroom setting.
Students taking an online course will be expected to log-in on a daily basis and meet all deadlines. Students should be able to commit to daily online work for an online learning credit.
Flexibility of an online course allows students to access their course material from anywhere in Canada that has internet access and any time during the day or night; however, students may be offered the opportunity to participate in a discussion synchronously, to support their learning. VPN is not supported for those out of country.
Once students are registered and enrolled into the on-line environment, they will be able to access their courses at https://durhamrc.elearningontario.ca/

*The Username and Password for the online course will be emailed to all students by June 30th at 4:00 pm.

Please ensure you provide an up-to-date email address and check your junk mail for communication from Continuing Education.

Students will be contacted by their teacher for start-up details.

Contact

If you have questions about the Reach Ahead Program, please contact credit.reg@dcdsb.ca or 905-438-0570.

Continuing Education reserves the right to cancel classes or programs if minimum enrolment is not met, and to close classes when full.

Course Descriptions

Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset (BEM1O)

In this course, students will learn what makes an entrepreneur thrive and the skills required to succeed in today’s business environment. Students will begin to develop their own entrepreneurial mindset, and learn why it’s important to take initiative, adapt to change, find creative solutions, and understand the financial considerations of entrepreneurship. Throughout the course, students will enhance their communications skills as well as develop and refine their project management skills, including goal setting, time management, and networking.

U.P. (Ultimate Potential) Math (GLS1O)

UP (Ultimate Potential) Mathematics is a specialized program that provides student candidates with the opportunity to learn key math concepts, address gaps in learning, and develop problem-solving processes that are important for developing a good foundation for Grade 9 mathematics.

*A recommendation from the Grade 8 teacher is required for each student in UP Math.

Issues in Canadian Geography (CGC1W)

This course builds on learning in Grades 7 and 8 in geography. Students will explore relationships within and between Canada’s natural and human systems and how they interconnect with other parts of the world. Students will also examine environmental and economic issues, and their impact related to topics such as natural resources and industries, careers, land use and responsible development, and sustainability. In addition, students will understand the connections that diverse communities and individuals have with the physical environment and each other throughout Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives. Students will apply geographic thinking, use the geographic inquiry process, and use geospatial technologies throughout their investigations.

Communication Technology and the Skilled Trades (TGJ1O)

This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills in communications technology, which encompasses television/video and movie production, radio and audio production, print and graphic communications, photography, and interactive new media and animation. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.

Technology and the Skilled Trades (TAS1O)

This course enables students to further explore and develop technological knowledge and skills introduced in the elementary science and technology program. Students will be given the opportunity to design and create products and/or provide services related to the various technological areas or industries, working with a variety of tools, equipment, and software commonly used in industry. Students will develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary education and training pathways leading to careers in technology-related fields.

Health Care Technology and the Skilled Trades (TPJ1O)

This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills related to health care, which encompasses personal health promotion, child and adolescent health concerns, and various medical services, treatments, instruments, and technologies. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.