FAQs

1) What is O2?

O2 is a 3 year program at Citadel High School that delivers the regular high school courses and provides enhanced career exploration opportunities. The program exposes and prepares students to enter the work force and post secondary education through training, certification and connections to the real world.

2) Does it limit my post secondary options?

Absolutely not! In fact it will prepare you for whatever you choose to pursue after high school. You can attend University, NSCC, engage in apprenticeship or directly enter the work force. The program will better prepare you to pursue whatever you choose.

3) How many students are accepted?

Every year Citadel High School accepts 20-25 students into the program. There is an application process and every student will be interviewed that submits an application. Applications are usually due near the end of March and interviews occur in April.

4) What courses do you have to take?

Students who enter the O2 program in September 2020 will take the following courses: Career Development 10, Community Based Learning 11, and three Cooperative Education courses. Students will also complete all of the other mandatory graduation courses that all students take. In Grade 10, your English 10 will be an O2 cohort course.

5) What is Community Based Learning?

It is a grade 10 course where, as a class, the students make connections between school and the real world. There are lots of guest speakers and field trips and certifications that make up this course. Students will have the opportunity to complete many credentials including First Aid/CPR, WHMIS Safety Training and Occupational Safety Training. Select students may also have the chance to complete specialized training that will prepare them to work safely in their chosen career clusters such as the Food Handler's Safety Training, World Host Training or Construction Industry Entry Level Training.

6) What is CO-OP?

Cooperative education is a course where the student goes out to work in a field of their choosing for 80 hours. This usually occurs 1 day a week and takes place during the school day. This is a high school credit and some universities are recognizing it as a course for admission.

7) How is being in O2 different than being in regular classes?

In O2 you will go on many more field trips and be exposed to many more career options than other students. We have an O2 classroom that has netbooks/laptops, round tables and comfy chairs that encourage collaboration. You will spend lots of time in your cohort group. Students do develop a sense of family or community as they spend a lot of time together.

8) How long is the program?

The O2 program is a 3 year program that will give you an Options and Opportunities Certificate upon Graduation. This will give you a preferred seat at NSCC (although some programs do require interviews/portfolios). Graduating students may also choose to attend university, other colleges, begin an apprenticeship or head into directly into the workforce.

9) Is it hard to catch up on work?

Yes, we do spend a lot of time out of the school but we also spend time helping students build communication and organization skills to support themselves in learning to succeed while balancing both school and O2/coop related activities. Generally our students do very well at this and report that learning how to manage this type of balance makes them more successful as high school students and more prepared for the demands of a post-secondary education.

10) Do you have to get good marks?

Of course we all want good marks. They are not required for admission into the program. It is the goal of the O2 teaching team to ensure that each student completes high school with the best grades they can in a personalized academic program that challenges students to take the highest levels of courses they can to challenge themselves to be as prepared as possible for whatever their next steps after high school graduation will be.

11) Does it cost anything?

No, the Options and Opportunities program is a well funded program and supplies everything a student will need.

12) How can I let my parents know about this program?

The presentation I showed you and your classmates is available on the main page of the O2 website. Have them read these FAQs. They may still have questions about the program after that. If so, please ask them to email me at debra.wilson@hrce.ca and I can connect with them to get their questions answered.

If this program is the right fit for you, you will have an incredibly enriched high school experience! All the best,

Debra Wilson

O2 Program Coordinator

Your guidance department has the applications. You will need to complete the application and get two reference letters, one from a teacher and one from a community reference person.

Application deadline: TBD, usually by the end of March

Interviews will usually take place in April. All students who complete the application package by the deadline will receive an interview.

If you have more questions please contact:

Debra Wilson

O2 Coordinator Citadel High School

debra.wilson@hrce.ca