We examine how two Ottawa schools help their students move from elementary to high school with confidence
Westboro Academy’s Grade 8 graduating students. Photo Courtesy Westboro Academy
“We want to make sure that our students are successful in high school both academically and socially,” says Reid. “Grade 6 is really the end of elementary school, so our Grade 6 students take nine courses, they get a locker, and they start moving from class to class,” says Reid. “This helps them get a feel for what is coming in Grade 9. They learn how to go to class prepared and organized because they aren’t at one desk in one classroom anymore.”
Turnbull School offers a course on study skills from Grade 5 onwards, which helps students prepare for tests, learn to take good study notes and how to rewrite important facts, as well as adopting good study techniques.
“Our students learn to ‘back plan’ their studying for exams by several weeks,” says Reid. “They learn how to study and manage homework. Yes, they are busy with extracurricular activities but they understand that cramming in the last few days just doesn’t work.” Turnbull also has a Grade 8 teacher who provides guidance for graduating students, sharing information on high school and private school open houses. She also provides both students and their parents with information on programs and options available at various local high schools.
These students also have to prepare a high school project, requiring them to research and present information on a high school of their choice to their classmates.
Reid says that having a staff member to liaise with has really proven to be invaluable for the school’s soon-to-be graduates and their parents.
Getting students ready academically for high school is only part of it.
“Our curriculum makes sure that our students get involved in more than just academics,” says Reid. “That means playing in the band, participating on a sports team or joining the drama troupe. We want our students to be ready to be involved in and enjoy all the other opportunities that goes with being in high school so they can work hard and play hard too.”
“When our Grade 8 students leave Westboro Academy, we are confident that they are well-prepared for the academic challenges of Grade 9,” says Elyane Ruel, Head of School at Westboro Academy. She highlights that all graduates are bilingual, which has fostered their ability to thrive in social settings and cultivate a strong sense of social awareness. Ruel emphasizes the students’ confidence and self-identity, stating that they are well-equipped for the upcoming years in high school. Many have competed in a camp counsellor program, which not only allows Grade 7 and 8 students to apply for a junior camp counsellor position at the summer camp the school runs for the first two weeks of summer vacation, but further boosts participants’ self-confidence.
Submitting applications and undergoing an interview process serves as an enriching learning experience and all applicants, successful or not, are offered feedback on their interviews and ways to improve moving forward. Students who succeed in earning a position within the camp gain valuable work experience for their resumes, a reference letter from the school and for Grade 8 students, hours worked count toward the 40-hour requirement for volunteering in Ontario high schools.
Students also have the chance to take on diverse leadership roles — such as serving on the student council, acting as house captains, or joining groups like the eco-club and pride leadership club. Before becoming members of these organizations, interested students participate in leadership workshops designed to develop their skills.
Westboro Academy provides information on various high schools to assist students in making informed decisions about their futures. Ruel emphasizes the importance of this resource for both students and their parents.
After the Grade 8 graduates transition to Grade 9, students and parents are asked to complete a transition survey. The survey seeks to understand the challenges they encountered, what strategies were effective and which were less effective. Ruel receives valuable feedback from this survey, which she then shares with staff and faculty, so that the team can harness the feedback given to implement improvements in ensuing graduating classes.
For Ruel and her team, the most gratifying aspect of their work is the successful transition of their graduates to the first year of high school.
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