Summer Credit Programs

Summer Reach Ahead

Program Overview

Summer Reach Ahead is designed for students entering Grade 9 in the fall. This program gives students the opportunity to earn a high school credit before starting secondary school. 

Students can take:

  • Civics and/or Careers
  • Technological Education: Construction
  • Technological Education: Cosmetology

Completing a course in the summer can help students build confidence and create more space in their timetable in future years. 

This program is a great choice for students who want to get a strong start in high school.


ALREADY REGISTERED?  GREAT!  Confirmations will be emailed regularly through the end of June.


Registration for Summer 2026 Reach Ahead programs is open now!

Registration for Summer 2026 Reach Ahead programs closes June 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. 


Eligibility

Summer Reach Ahead is open to students who are currently in Grade 8 and entering Grade 9 in the fall. 

 
The program is open to both HWDSB students and students from outside the board. Students who are not currently registered with HWDSB must first complete the HWDSB student registration process before applying for Summer Reach Ahead. 

Program Format & Schedule

Programs Credits Dates Locations Language Tutoring
Civics 0.5 credits July 2-15, 2026 Online only English or French

Live, online,

one hour daily

Careers 0.5 credits July 16-29, 2026 Online only English or French

Live, online,

one hour daily

Construction  1.0 credit

July 2-29, 2026

Monday-Friday

8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

In-person:

  • Bernie Custis SS
  • Nora F. Henderson SS
  • Waterdown DHS
English In class, as needed

Hairstyling & Aesthetics

(Cosmetology)

1.0 credit

July 2-29, 2026

Monday-Friday

8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

In-person:

  • Bernie Custis SS
  • Nora F. Henderson SS
  • Waterdown DHS
English In class, as needed

Welcome Package for Civics & Careers

Registration - HWDSB Students

HWDSB Grade 8 Students can register using myBlueprint for course selection. 

Students must be attending Grade 8 during the 2025-2026 school year.

 

Registration for Summer 2026 Reach Ahead programs are open now!

Registration for Summer 2026 Reach Ahead programs closes June 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.  

Registration - NON-HWDSB Students

Grade 8 students from outside HWDSB can register by following these steps:

Step 1:  REGISTER AS AN HWDSB STUDENT  

  • Deadline: May 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m. with all required documents provided – NO EXCEPTIONS
  • CHOOSE THE CORRECT YEAR:
    • Select the 2025-2026 school year for programs beginning before August 31, 2026.  
  • CHOOSE THE CORRECT GRADE:
    • Select your current grade
  • CHOOSE THE CORRECT SCHOOL:
    • Continuing Education Elementary
  • UPLOAD DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR FORM:
    • NOTE: Students registering for Continuing Education do NOT need to show their documents.  Uploading them is sufficient.

Step 2:  Once registration is complete, you will receive an HWDSB Student Registration confirmation, along with your @hwdsb.on.ca email address and password.

Step 3:  Go to myBlueprint for course selection. 

Registration for Summer 2026 Reach Ahead programs are open now!

Registration for Summer 2026 Reach Ahead programs closes June 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.  

myBlueprint Instructions

1. Go to the HWDSB student website: students.hwdsb.on.ca.

2. Click on myBlueprint and log in.

3. On the left menu, click on Continuing Education.

4. Choose Explore Courses.

5. Select Summer School.

6. Choose your course.

myBlueprint Instructional Video

Ministry of Education Course Information

CIVICS from the 2013 REVISED Canadian and World Studies, Ontario Curriculum document
 

Politics involves the study of how societies are governed, how policy is developed, how power is distributed, and how citizens take public action. The Grade 10 course Civics and Citizenship focuses on civics, a branch of politics that explores the rights and responsibilities of citizens, the processes of public decision making, and ways in which citizens can act for the common good within communities at the local, national, and/or global level. By focusing on civics and citizenship education, this course enables students to develop their understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen and to explore various elements of the citizenship education framework.

Civics and Citizenship provides opportunities for students to investigate issues of civic importance, the roles of different levels of government in addressing these issues, and how people’s beliefs and values affect their positions on these issues. Students will analyse the roles, responsibilities, and influence of citizens in a democratic society and explore ways in which people can make a difference in the various communities to which they belong. Students are encouraged to clarify their own beliefs and values relating to matters of civic and political importance and to explore ways in which they can respond to these matters.

Civics and Citizenship introduces students to the political inquiry process and the concepts of political thinking. Students will develop ways of thinking about civics and citizenship education through the application of these concepts and will use the political inquiry process as they gather, interpret, and analyse data and information relating to issues of civic importance. Students will make informed judgements and draw conclusions about these issues and will develop plans of actions to address them. This course supports the further study of politics in Grades 11 and 12.

 

CAREERS from the 2019 REVISED CAREER STUDIES, Ontario Curriculum document

To prepare students for the future, it is necessary to empower them to take an active role in finding their path in the world of work and the community. With the rapid pace of technological, social, and cultural change in today’s global economy and with new understandings of what a career looks like in this context, it is more important than ever that students be supported in their transition from secondary school to their initial post-secondary destination, whether in apprentice-ship training, college, community living, university, or the workplace. Thoughtful and intentional education and career/life planning that involves both parents* and educators is essential in ensuring that students make well-informed decisions as they look ahead. It is also important that students learn about the fundamentals of financial management, so that they can be informed about and responsible for the implications of their decisions, and better managers of their own lives.

The revised Career Studies course will enable students to consolidate and share what they have learned in the four areas of learning of the education and career/life planning framework – Knowing Yourself, Exploring Opportunities, Making Decisions and Setting Goals, and Achieving Goals and Making Transitions – at a key time in their education. While exploring the career opportunities that are available to them, their own interests, values, and goals, and their particular pathway options, students will also learn about the skills, strategies, and resources that can help them adapt to change and challenges and become lifelong learners.

 

EXPLORING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY (TCJ1O) from the 2009 REVISED Technology Education, Ontario Curriculum document

This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills in construction technology, which encompasses plumbing, electrical and network wiring, masonry, heating/cooling, carpentry, and woodworking. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.

 

EXPLORING HAIRSTYLING AND AESTHETICS (TXJ1O) (also known as Cosmetology) from the 2009 REVISED Technology Education, Ontario Curriculum document

This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills related to hairstyling and aesthetics, including hair, nail, and skin care applications. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.

Technical Support

To request a password reset: CLICK HERE

To report a technical issue: CLICK HEREwill be active on July 2 at 9:00 a.m.

Other Important Information

Keeping up with work: 

In the Civics and Careers courses, there will be a daily assignment due for submission.  It is important for students to keep up with the work each day and to contact their teacher if they are having difficulty.  Students enrolled in Civics who have not submitted work by the end of the day July 9th will be automatically removed from the course.  Similarly, students enrolled in Careers who have not submitted work by the end of the day July 22nd will be automatically removed from the course.

Behaviour:

Students enrolled in Summer Reach Ahead programs must make every effort to complete the homework assigned through the course.  Any lost time and/or assignments must be reconciled with their teacher.  Respect for teachers, peers, and all staff members is essential to maintain a positive learning environment. Failure to meet these expectations may result in disciplinary actions, including being asked to leave the program. Your cooperation and commitment to these guidelines are appreciated.

Support:

Special Education Resource Teachers are not available to make modifications to, or create accommodations within, the Reach Ahead course programs. Every effort will be made by the teachers to support and enhance the learning of each student. Students with Individual Education Plans are welcome to attend with the above understanding. HWDSB is committed to protecting your personal information.


Continuing Education reserves the right to cancel, combine or relocate programs.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Continuing Education by phone at 905-561-2190 or by e-mail at [email protected].