Catholic Graduate Expectations

Across Ontario, Catholic school boards have been using the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations in a variety of creative ways. Catholic education views human life as an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in this vision, Catholic education fosters the search for knowledge as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest. The expectations of Catholic graduates, therefore, are described not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions. Students on a journey toward graduation from a Catholic school are challenged to meet the Catholic Graduate Expectations, listed below. The Institute for Catholic Education explains more about the value of these expectations, here:

“The launch of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations was imbued with the hope that in them, all members of the Catholic education community in Ontario would recognize themselves. Whether inside or outside the classroom; in both the elementary and secondary panels; from Board rooms to playing fields; from conversations among parents to those between the members of Catholic professional associations; these expectations have succeeded in giving to us all a language that has brought a higher degree of clarity and a renewed sense of the distinctiveness and purpose that is publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario.”

Institute for Catholic Education

Catholic Graduate Expectations

This image of the learner was developed by The Institute for Catholic Education in consultation with representatives of the Catholic community across Ontario. The life roles, knowledge, skills and attitudes outlined here describe the distinctive expectations that the Catholic community has for graduates of Catholic secondary schools. These expectations are based on research which identified current and future educational goals and priorities across the province and enhance the expectations of the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training as outlined in provincial curriculum documents. The Catholic Graduate Expectations are meant to provide a snapshot of this diversity and in no way claims to reflect the richness that is to be found throughout the Catholic school system.

• A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God’s presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.
• An effective communicator, who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values.
• A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.
• A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God-given potential.
• A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work, which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.
• A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish and the wider community.
• A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.

Spiritual Theme

“Seek Justice, Love Kindness & Mercy, Walk Humbly with God ”

This year’s Ottawa Catholic School Board spiritual theme is based on a quote from the book of Luke (Luke 4:18-19). "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” This passage in Luke marks the beginning of Christ’s public ministry. The call to live the Good News is central to our Christian calling. Catholic Social Teachings give us the evidence of the power of Good News to the world. To bring up the oppressed, to feed the hungry, to comfort the suffering, etc. The heart of the gospel is the hope that we want to bring to the world.