Our School
At Adult High School we take pride in knowing that we are a caring, supportive multi-cultural environment. We are a semestered, secondary day school for adults. Registration occurs at the beginning of September and the beginning of February.
Adult High School staff is committed to providing quality adult education in a caring and challenging environment which prepares students for the workplace or for post-secondary education.
Our guidance Department is staffed with a team of counselors dedicated to supporting students with their educational journey. Adult High School offers a full range of academic credit courses for grade 10 - 12.
Our Students
AHS has an enrolment of over 1200 students. Our school is rich in cultural diversity; over 40 language groups are represented in our student population.
We value the diverse backgrounds of our student body. Students work towards obtaining their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or towards upgrading their skills and knowledge to prepare for the world of work, apprenticeships, College and University.
Our Staff
Adult High School's 55 teaching staff and 20 administrative and support staff is committed to meeting the inpidual needs of our students, to ensure that each student receives a high quality education. We are leaders specializing in the delivery of adult academic programs.
Our Community
Adult High School is a unique school as it offers a full complement of services to adult students. We have a close working relationship with many community groups, such as the Canadian Ethno-Cultural Council, the Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada, the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, Youth Services Bureau, Human Resources Development Canada, and the Somerset West Community Health Center.
Mission Statement
Adult High School is committed to providing quality adult education in a caring and stimulating environment which prepares students for the workplace or post-secondary education.
Programs and Services
Academic Programs
A full range of courses lead towards the OSSD - Ontario Secondary School Diploma Specialty Programming includes:
- Co-operative Education, Culinary Arts Program, Hairstyling and Aesthetics
- Art, Business, Computer Technology, English, ESL, Math, Science, Social Studies
Classroom Organization
- Comprehensive programs from Grade 9 through to Grade 12
- Specialized packages for ELL learners
- Grade 9 to Grade 12 with four 75 minute periods
- In class instruction is enhanced by the use of technology
- Career exploration software in Student Services
- Noon hour activities that engage fitness and healthy lifestyles
Special Education and ESL Programs
- Equivalency, maturity, and/or PLAR credits may be granted for prior education and work experience
- Beginner to Advanced Credit ESL courses
- Specialized (ESL) credit courses in Learning Strategies
- ESL Speech and Drama credit courses
- Opportunities for newcomers to Canada to participate fully in all school programs, including a variety of co-curricular opportunities with limited daycare available
- Student Success Program that offers opportunities for Credit Recovery/ Credit Accumulation Worker
Clubs and Activities
- Fitness Centre, noon hour sports
- Multi-cultural Club
- Global Village Festival (GVF)
- Retro-Room Clothing Store
- Recycling Program “Earth Care”
- Breakfast Club
- Noon Hour Cafe
Facilities and Resources
- Centrally located on #85 & 14 bus routes
- Large, modern library, with an up-to-date computer resource area
- Multi-media labs with fully-equipped computer labs
- Site of the OCDSB “Family Reception Centre”
- Site of the OCDSB “Central Orientation Class” for newcomers to Canada
- Two day-care facilities supporting children of students at AHS and the LINC Program
- Two gyms, a weight room, and a fitness studio
- State-of-the art, over 1200 seat auditorium, extensively used by the community
- Student Services Career Resource Centre
- On site Rideauwood counsellor, Nurse Practitioner, Psychologist, Social Worker, MLO
Numeracy and Literacy
Success for all students is our number one goal. With this in mind, we need to ensure that students are placed in the correct grade and level for their personalized educational programs. As a result, new students may be tested upon entry to AHS. Literacy and Numeracy across the curriculum and Literacy for our ELL readers are of particular importance to our School Improvement Plan. In addition, examination results are reviewed annually to help plan for future directions.
Support Services for Student Learning and Success
Through Assisted technology, ELL classroom support and Healthy lifestyle initiatives, Adult High School aims to ensure students have a complete network of useable tools from which to draw upon throughout their educational careers and working lives. Our goal is to implement STEP assessments in ESL courses to track student achievement.
Strengthening Academic and Community Ties
Our school produces the highest number of Algonquin College entrants of any school in the Board.
Our Multi-Cultural Officer (MLO) links us to the services of cross-cultural counselling, newcomer settlement assistance, parent advocacy, staff professional development opportunities, and numerous agencies in the community.
We will continue to develop our student support programs and OCDSB links that assist our students and staff through District-Wide Exams in both English and Math. Cross-curricular literacy and numeracy enhancement will continue to link us with postsecondary institutions and our world of work.
We are proud of our working relationships with Ontario Works, Employment Ontario, Ottawa Housing, Youth Services Bureau, Rideauwood and various Settlement and Integration agencies.