The Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales is proud to announce the creation of a satellite secondary school of ÉSC de La Vérendrye to offer all students within its’ district the opportunity to pursue their studies in French!
CSDC des Aurores boréales’ only secondary school is located in Thunder Bay, and many students within the Board’s district do not have access to French-language options when it comes to enrolling in high school.
The satellite school will be ready to welcome grade 9 students residing west of Thunder Bay for the next school year, within the walls of the Board’s existing schools: École Immaculée-Conception in Ignace, École catholique de l’Enfant-Jésus in Dryden, and the location remains to be determined in Red Lake.
In this model, students will receive on-site supervision and follow a typical high school schedule of four classes per semester. Courses will be offered remotely – in collaboration with students from the other campuses. Like any secondary school, online courses will be accessible via the Consortium d’apprentissage virtuel de langue française de l’Ontario (CAVLFO), in addition to courses taught by our teachers.
“I am pleased that we can fill a void in the provision of French-language education in northwestern Ontario, with a reinvented virtual school that takes into account the lessons learned during the pandemic,” Marie-France Tousignant, superintendent of education.
Students will have the opportunity to meet periodically for systemic activities specific to their campus. They will have access to the same well-being support services, authentic learning, and special programs (SHSM, COOP, OYAP). Finally, partnerships will be created to allow students to join sports teams within the community and meet the requirements of the “Healthy Active Living” course.
“This is truly a momentous occasion for our Board! It’s a big step for the Francophonie in the Northwest! Parents expressed a need, and we are responding,” said Board Chair, Claudette Gleeson.
Between now and the return from Holidays, a school principal/guidance counsellor, teachers and teaching assistants will be recruited to provide courses at the start of the 2024 school year.
Gradually, the news will be shared with families residing to the West and representatives from the Board will meet with the community. The hope is to expand the offer to communities East of Thunder Bay in September 2025 and to expand the program to grade 10 students. By 2027, all levels up to grade 12 will be accessible. Francophones from Kenora to Manitouwadge will have the opportunity to exercise their right to a French-language catholic secondary education.
Information:
Audrey Debruyne
Director of communications
communications@csdcab.on.ca
