Enhancing Pathways and Post-Secondary Planning for Grades 9 and 10

This year, the Guidance Department has made significant strides in strengthening pathways and post-secondary planning for Grade 9 and 10 students. While this remains an ongoing process, the focus has been on creating natural and intentional access points for students—helping to build a strong foundation that mirrors the well-established Grade 11 and 12 program.

With this in mind, the team has prioritized three key areas:
- Collaboration
- Real-life skill application and experiences
- Enhanced communication

One of the most impactful changes has been assigning Grade 9 students to a guidance counsellor through their OE classes rather than by surname. This shift—made possible through the support of OE teachers—has allowed for more consistent, personalized, and timely support throughout the year.

For the first time, Grade 9 students participated in small-group workshops in the fall, helping them explore their strengths and interests while making connections to future courses and careers. As a result, when they attended January’s Course Fair and their Course Selection meetings in February, they were noticeably more confident, informed, and prepared to make thoughtful decisions about their academic pathways.


Expanded Post-Secondary Exposure

This year, the university visit format was redesigned to include five major university fair days, each featuring institutions from around the world. The larger format made the fairs more approachable for younger students, and surprisingly, Grade 9 and 10 students were among the most engaged participants!
Additionally, the Grade 10 Careers Course has been enhanced to provide a stronger focus on post-secondary application preparation. Beyond learning about resumes and cover letters, students were introduced to real university and college supplemental questions and scholarship applications—the same ones our current Grade 12 students are completing. Their final project includes a mock post-secondary application and job interview, providing peer-reviewed feedback and practical preparation for their senior years. The course also incorporated discussions on workplace trends, including the role of well-being and AI in future careers.


Targeted Communication & Parent Engagement

To ensure students and parents stay informed, the Guidance team has refined communication strategies, including:
- Posts highlighting enrichment opportunities tailored specifically for Grades 9 and 10.
- The launch of a Grade 9 & 10 Parent Edsby Group, offering a dedicated space for parents to access relevant resources and updates.

The goal is for students to enter Grade 11 and 12 with greater self-awareness, a stronger understanding of their academic and career options, and the confidence to navigate the post-secondary application process successfully. While there is still more work to be done, the progress over the past five months has been exciting, and we look forward to continuing to build on this momentum!