Grade 8-9 Information

Welcome 8s and Parents!

Key Transition Dates
Welcome to the landing page for all the grade 8 to grade 9 information you need! The Guidance Office is excited to meet all of our grade 8 students this fall as they prepare their course choices for grade 9 at Georgetown District High School.

There are lots of events over the year in order to help prepare grade 8 students as they transition into high school.

We invite you to our Grade 8 Parent Information Evening and Open House this November, and to our Accelerated Learning Program/IB Program Evening as well.

Should you have any further questions, don't hesitate to contact a Guidance Counsellor or the Student Success Program Leader using the emails on our Guidance Homepage.
  • Thursday, October 24th, 2019: ALP/IB Information Evening
  • Wednesday, November 6th, 2019: Gr 8 Conference Field Trip at GDHS for feeder schools
  • Wednesday, November 20th, 2019: Gr 8 Parent Information Evening (Open House); 6:30pm-8pm in Theatre
  • Late November-Early December: Guidance Counsellors visit Gr 8 feeder schools for Course Selection Presentations
  • Friday, December 20th, 2019: Final Day Course Selection Worksheets are due to Homeroom Gr 8 teachers
  • Early January, 2020: Gr 8s input gr 9 course selections into www.myblueprint.ca/halton
  • Spring 2020: GDHS Student Leaders visit all feeder schools for Transitioning to High School Presentations
  • Aug 25, 26, and 27, 2020: FREE Heads Up to Grade 9 Summer Camp & Gr 9 Orientation Day (more info below)
  • August 27, 2020: GRADE 9 ORIENTATION DAY for ALL incoming grade 9s

Course Selection Process

Gr 9
Program Book

Course descriptions for every grade 9 course and specialized program information for Essential, French Immersion, Gifted, and ISP programs

Course Selection Option Sheet for 2020-2021
(coming soon)

Use this sheet to select gr 9 courses. This sheet is due to the grade 8 homeroom teacher

HDSB Guide to Secondary School

This provides students and families comprehensive details on transitioning to high school, graduation requirements, regional programs, and more

Gr 8 Parent Night PowerPoint Presentation

This slideshow is presented at the Gr 8 Parent Night and Open House in November

Student PowerPoint Presentation

Guidance counsellors present this slideshow to gr 8 homeroom classes in late November or early December to prepare students for course selection

ALP Program Information

For information on the ALP Program (formerly ISP), including application forms and timelines, visit the ALP/IB website

9th Credit Music

New for 2020-2021 school year is the 9th credit Instrumental Music course. View the music offering for gr 9 students above!

Picking the right classes for me

Applied vs. Academic Programming

What's the difference between Academic and Applied courses? 

Choosing the right math course

What are my options for grade 9 math?

Math pathways gr 9-12

This pathway chart indicates all course options and pathways for math throughout high school

Supporting the transition to high school

Heads Up to Gr 9 Summer Camp

On August 25, 26, and 27, GDHS offers a FREE 3 day Heads Up to Grade 9 Summer Camp!
  • Registration for Heads Up Camp closes in JUNE 2020
  • Registered families will be emailed additional details on in August
  • ​Students that participate in this optional camp will get the opportunity to meet energetic student leaders and school staff, make new friends in small and large groups, and reinforce their literacy and numeracy skills.

Link Crew Leaders

All grade 9 students receive a Link Leader as a senior mentor in the school. These leaders help our grade 9 students as they transition to high school. They are positive role models and enhance our school spirit by helping to implement a year-long program that integrates new students into our school's community.

Link Leaders organize Gr 9 Orientation Day, which occurs on the Thursday before Labour Day.