The Secondary School Education Program provides patients under the age of 21 with an opportunity to earn Ontario Secondary School credits, while they are receiving treatment. Based on a partnership between the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) and the Durham District School Board (DDSB), this program offers a supportive and authentic learning environment where students work with an Ontario-certified secondary school teacher. The main purpose of the Secondary Education Program is to prepare students for reintegration into community schools, post-secondary institutions or employment. In a positive and flexible classroom setting, students may choose to upgrade current course grades or earn compulsory and/or optional credits that lead directly to an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Treatment goals are taken into consideration as students engage in interactive classroom assignments that teach them about their illness and also meet Ontario curriculum expectations. These blended course credits appear on student transcripts as secondary school credits and can be counted towards the 30 secondary school credits needed to meet OSSD requirements.
The Secondary School Education Program is committed to:
- Offering a safe learning environment for all students
- Establishing clear educational, behavioural and treatment goals
- Providing descriptive feedback, ongoing assessment and academic evaluation
- Maintaining a healthy balance between treatment and academic support
- Promoting an environment of student success in the context of high academic standards
- Utilizing all aspects of agency, school board and community support
