Waterdown District High School
Waterdown District High School is located at 215 Parkside Drive, Waterdown Ontario, and is a member of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
Background
The school opened in 1992 and has a 2009–10 enrollment of 1322. The school's mission statement is "Educating students to become lifelong learners and contributing citizens in a challenging, changing, multi-cultural world." WDHS uses the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) to assess Grade 10 students' skills in reading and writing. Successful completion of the test is one of 32 requirements students need to attain in order to receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The school also offers special education classes as well as an ESL program.
Faculty and staff
| Officials and Administrators | Name |
|---|---|
| School Principal | Michelle Visca |
| Vice Principals | Dan Stepaniuk, Brent Monkley |
| Superintendent | Mag Gardner |
| Director of Education | |
| Trustee | Karen Turkstra |
Programs
Waterdown District High School takes part in the following programs:
- Industry Certification Centre with more than 10 different certifications available to be earned as members of a class or individually
- STEP summer program for Gr. 8 students entering Gr. 9
- Extensive Gr. 9 Orientation activities
- Strong Learning Resource team
- Gr. 9 Learning Strategies Course
- Locally Developed Courses (Gr. 9 & 10) and Workplace Courses (Gr. 11 & 12)
- Youth Assisting Youth Mentoring Program for Gr. 9 &10 students
- Credit Recovery program to assist Gr. 9 and 10 students
- Complete-a-credit program
- After-school literacy program to support students writing the OSSLT (Literacy Test)
- T.R.Y. (Take Responsibility for Yourself) - Alternative Education Program
- Comprehensive Cooperative Education and Apprenticeship Program
- Math extra help sessions for students two days a week on lunch hours with senior student support
- True Sport Awards
- Celebration of Student Success through annual Academic Awards Evening, Athletic Awards Banquet, Arts Awards Banquet and Commencement
Specialty Programs
W.D.H.S. offers a variety of speciality programs for students with different interests. Programs include:
- A Communication Technology Program where students produce, host and televise bi-weekly morning announcements on WINTV, an internal television station.
- CISCO Computer Engineering Program- students complete IT Essentials I in preparation for writing their A+ certification
- A Co-Ed Hockey Program (Gr. 10 & 11) that promotes hockey conditioning and skills development
- An Outbound Experience Program that focuses on Environmental Education and Leadership for Gr. 12 students
- A “Connextions Program” that examines international diversity and has the goal of developing an appreciation for the challenges facing those living in third world countries
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (O.Y.A.P.) is a cooperative education program where students have the ability to earn credits while gaining apprenticeship hours.
- The Musical Theatre Program runs every other year and has a focus of creating a final musical production
Clubs
Waterdown District High School offers the following clubs:
- Boys Athletics: Boys’ Athletics Association, Baseball, Basketball (Jr. & Sr.), Cricket, Football (Jr. & Sr.), Hockey (Jr. & Sr.), Rugby, Soccer, Touch Football (Gr. 9), Volleyball (Jr. & Sr.), Waterpolo
- Girls Athletics: Girls’ Athletic Association, Basketball (Jr. & Sr.), Dance Squad, Fastball, Hockey, Rugby, Soccer, Touch Football, Volleyball (Jr. & Sr.), Waterpolo (Jr. & Sr.)
- Co-Ed Athletics: Alpine Skiing, Badminton, Golf, Swim Team, Tennis, Track & Field, Ultimate Frizzbe
- Band Councils
- Bands – Jazz, Jr. & Sr. Concert
- Book Club
- Choir
- Computer Contest
- Debate Team
- DECA Business Club
- Drama Club
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Program
- Fashion Show
- Foreign Exchange Programs
- Gr. 10 Leadership Group
- Green Team Environmental Club
- Interact Club (Rotary Club)
- Mock Trial
- Morning Announcement Team
- Principal’s Council
- Prom Committee
- Skills Canada (Technology Competitions)
- SOLID (Student Organization for Learning About International Differences)
- Student Council
- Tech Crew
- Waterdown Against Tobacco
- YAY (Youth Assisting Youth)
- Yearbook
- Youth Speak-out Group
External links
Coordinates: 43°20′05″N 79°54′39″W / 43.33466°N 79.91095°W