YORK CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
High Performer Athlete program, Secondary French Immersion among new programs at YCDSB this year

The York Catholic District School Board is preparing to welcome over 53,000 students to its 101 schools this September.

Elementary school students will begin classes on Tuesday, September 4th and high school students will begin classes on Wednesday, September 5th. Students entering their first year of high school will attend an orientation day on September 4th, which will provide them with an opportunity to meet new peers and teachers, as well as adjust to their new school before classes officially begin.

New this school year is the introduction of a regional High Performer Athlete (HPA) Program at Holy Cross Catholic Academy in Vaughan. The HPA Program is an academic-based program for elite student-athletes who participate in regional, provincial, national, or international competition. Students in Holy Cross' HPA Program will benefit from a flexible timetable to help them balance both their academic and athletic commitments, while also earning high school credits for the work they put into their training.

Also new for 2018-19 is the introduction of the Secondary French Immersion Program at Jean Vanier CHS in Richmond Hill, St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS in Aurora, and Father Bressani CHS in Vaughan.

Five additional SHSM (Specialist High Skills Major) programs will be offered in 2018-19. They include: Business at St. Elizabeth CHS and St. Joan of Arc CHS in Vaughan; Health and Wellness at Our Lady of the Lake CCS in Georgina and St. Robert in Markham; and Arts and Culture at Sacred Heart CHS in Newmarket. SHSM programs help students focus their learning during their last two years of high school on particular sector that matches their interests. Enhanced industry-specific learning, and an additional certification upon graduation are trademarks to Ontario's SHSM programs. York Catholic offers 26 SHSM programs at 14 high schools throughout York Region.

For more information on all YCDSB programs and services, visit www.ycdsb.ca.