Starting at a new high school can be an overwhelming experience, whether you are part of our incoming grade 9 class or someone who has moved into our area. We’d like to provide some helpful information about LHSS to help make the transition a little less intimidating and get you prepared for your future as a Hurricanes.
For students wishing to attend LHSS from outside our board/catchment area, please review the list of required materials below for student registration. If you have any questions, please contact our guidance office at 519-880-9979, ext. 5200 (or email ellie_cressman@wrdsb.ca).
Need to check if you’re in LHSS’s catchment area, please visit Student Transportation Services Waterloo Region (STSWR) and verify your address!
OUT-OF-BOARD REGISTRATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR WILL OPEN IN JANUARY
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SELECT THE CORRECT SCHOOL YEAR
IMPORTANT – Students new to the WRDSB must register
by completing the online registration at https://www.wrdsb.ca/
FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF YOUR ONLINE REGISTRATION, LAUREL HEIGHTS WILL CONTACT YOU
TO SETUP AN IN-PERSON VERIFICATION OF AGE/ADDRESS (SEE DETAILS BELOW) &
SEND YOU THE ONLINE COURSE SELECTION FORM
NOTE – COURSE SELECTIONS FOR NEXT YEAR ARE NOT FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED
(SO NO NEED TO RUSH)
Proof of Age
-
- Birth certificate or baptismal certificate or birth registration or passport
- Proof of Address
- A copy of a utility bill or residence property tax bill containing parent/guardian name and address of residence
- or a copy of offer to purchase a residence
- or a copy of lease/rental agreement for a residence
- Foreign-born students need the following documents as well
- Landed immigrant form
- or permanent resident card
- or citizenship card
- or Canadian passport
- OR letter of admission from Ed Centre
- NOTE: foreign born students arriving in Canada within the last 4 years also require proof of date of entry
- Students requiring language testing
- Students new to Canada whose first language is not English
- Students new to Waterloo Region whose first language is not English & who have been in an English school in Canada less than 5 years
- Any student from a French language school in Canada
- International students – please visit the WRDSB INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SITE for info
- If you require testing please call our board’s Welcome Centre to book an appointment, 519-576-3018
SPECIAL PROGRAMS @ LAUREL HEIGHTS
Advanced Placement Math Program – THIS IS NOT A MAGNET PROGRAM (out of boundary students can’t enroll)
- Pre-Advanced Placement Math commences in grade 10 with MPM2DW
- This will allow teachers, as subject specialists, to better support the student’s application and their opportunity for success.
- Advanced Placement (AP) program offers students the opportunity to pursue university-level studies while still in high school.
- Students can earn credits for many universities and colleges in Canada and the USA.
- Enrolling in Pre-AP math courses prepares students for success in senior (grade 12) Advanced Placement courses Calculus
- Pre-AP extends the current curriculum and enriches specific learning outcomes.
- Although Pre-AP extends the curriculum, evaluation is based on the regular academic Ontario curriculum.
- Visit our Pre-AP/AP page for more information.
Fast Forward Magnet Program
- Program is for students who may or may not be working towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma but who are intending to go directly to the workplace upon completion of high school.
- Most students in this program will be working significantly below grade level (typically at least 2 years out of phase) and will have been identified (IPRC/IEP) as candidates for this program in elementary school.
- Refer to the Fast Forward program page for more information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How big is LAUREL HEIGHTS?
- Approximately 1,750 students.
- Roughly 450 grade 9 students who come from our main feeder schools (Centennial, Edna Staebler, Laurelwood and Vista Hills) and more than 16 Fast Forward feeder schools.
What will my schedule look like?
- Laurel Heights is a semestered school, which means you’ll have 4 courses each semester.
- Semester 1 runs from September to January. Semester 2 runs from February to June.
- All classes are 75 minutes in length with 5 minute breaks between A/B and C/D.
What happens if I get lost?
- A variety of orientation activities during the spring of grade 8 and early September will help students become familiar with our building.
- Remember that only afternoon classes flip every day, so keeping track of your schedule is easy and takes very little time to get used to.
- Staff and students alike are friendly and will help you find your way. Just ask!
How tough are high school courses?
- Expect high school courses to challenge you, but they should not be significantly more difficult than your courses in Grade 8.
- Your guidance counselor and Grade 8 core teachers can advise you on the appropriate level of difficulty for Grade 9.
- Remember to keep up with work on a daily basis.
Who can I talk to if I’m having problems?
- Homeroom teacher, who students see every day (first period).
- Guidance Counselor, who can help with academic, career and personal issues.
- Child and Youth workers (CYWs) and Social Worker assigned to the school.
- Classroom teachers and/or Learning Assistance Centre (L.A.C.).
- Administrators and secretaries in the Main Office.
Are there extra-curricular activities Laurel Heights?
- Yes, and lots of them! Sports teams, arts activities or clubs to satisfy virtually every interest! Check out the EXTRA-CURRICULARS PAGE for more info!
- Arts opportunities, including choirs, instrumental groups, dance and drama productions.
- Competitive and Intramural sports teams are offered over three seasons (fall, winter and spring). Some teams limit the number of participants, but many will take all who commit to regular practice. You can participate in up to 3 sports in one school year!
- Grade 9 students are encouraged to get involved. Involved students adapt more quickly to high school life and tend to be happier and more productive.
