Educators and families gather at Durham College to celebrate student achievement
“This is a life-changing program for students,” says Nicole Dolabaille, Student Success Facilitator at the Durham District School Board (DDSB). She adds, “We are so proud to see them realize their dreams and their potential.”
On January 17, families, friends, and educators gathered at Durham College in Oshawa to celebrate the success of 75 DDSB high school students.
The Centres for Success provides students who have had previous academic difficulties at school, with the opportunity to complete the requirements for graduation in a college setting.
Durham College runs the program at their campuses through their partnership with the DDSB, Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB), Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPDSB), and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB).
Attending classes at either the Durham College Oshawa or Whitby campuses, these are students who are in their fourth year (or more) of high school who are preparing to attend school in a college-level, adult environment. Students must already have at least 24 credits, and be within reach of receiving an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Congratulations
Before students received their diplomas, two graduating students, Lynaha and Dahkota spoke to the audience about their experiences in the program. “I finally felt like I was in control of my school experience,” explained Dahkota. “None of the social pressures mattered here, and I was engaged in learning.”
Students also have the opportunity to earn a dual-credit in a variety of college courses such as: Introduction to Psychology – An Applied Science, Video Capture and Editing, Basic Electrical, Basic Automotive, and more. This semester 15 DDSB students accelerated their programs and graduated in December to begin attending college in January 2019.
Brandon, a graduating student, says the college environment makes a world of difference, “With less students in one classroom, it’s like a family. Our teacher can ensure we are learning the material one-on-one, but we’re also helping each other as a class.” Brandon took Basic Welding as his dual-credit course, and has applied to the Welding program at Durham College in Whitby. He hopes to start college in September.
Other perks to the program include access to on-campus student support services, fitness centres, the campus health centre, a free Durham Region Transit and GO Transit (Durham Region only) bus pass, and the application fee for any Ontario college program is waived.
Interested in the Centres for Success program? For more information please visithttps://ddsb.ca/Programs/Secondary/RegionalCentreForSuccess/Pages/default.aspx and visit your school’s guidance department.
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