Embedded Files
2025-2026 Grade 8 Parent Night Presentation (FINAL).pptxSee the Slide deck to the left for information re. Grade 8-9 Transitions. This slide deck was shown on Grade 8 parent and Caregiver Night November 26th 2025. See below for a copy of the hand out.
Grade 8 Parent Night Hand Out (4).pdfSelect 8 courses for Grade: Grade 9 Course Option worksheet (2026/27)
5 Compulsory Courses: English, Canadian Geography, Science, Math and French
These courses are all single streamed.
For the 2026-27 school year, students will have single streamed options in all five compulsory courses: English, Canadian Geography, Science, Math and French.
Each single streamed Grade 9 compulsory course leads to the academic and applied course pathways in Grade 10, which leads to college and university pathways in Grades 11 and 12.
Students should also make a plan to meet the graduation requirements for an art, a physical education and a junior technology (grade 9 or 10) credit.
Students in the French Immersion program also choose 5 compulsories, students will choose a blend of compulary and elective courses offered in French. Students must take an FIF language course everyyear. In Grade 9 we offer Geography, Science, French language, Drama and Visual art in French. These courses will count towards both the compulsory courses for graduation and the 10 French Immersion courses required to earn the French Immersion certificate.
3 Elective Courses
These courses are all open pathway courses.
Grade 9 electives include:Drama, Dance, Music (beginner and advanced), vocal music, visual art, Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset,Introduction to Family Studies, Physed (gendered and co-ed), Tech and the Skilled Trades (co-ed and girls only), Hospitality, Learning Strategies, Navigating the Workplace Numeracy focus.
eLearning Courses
eLearning courses will be offered to Grade 8 students to select in myBlueprint in course selection:
AVI1OZ (Visual Art - eLearning)
BEM1OZ (Building the Entrepreneurial Spirit)
CGC1WZ (Geography - eLearning)
ENL1WZ ( English - eLearning)
GLS1OZ (Skills for Success in Secondary School - eLearning)
MTH1WZ (Math - eLearning)
SNC1WZ (Science - eLearning)
TAS1OZ (Communications Technology, Computer Engineering, and Tech Design - eLearning)
Students can choose to take any number of these courses, and would make their remaining course selections for the in person compulsories/electives needed to make up the Grade 9 Program.
The Grade 9 eLearning courses will be customized to support students in an online, asynchronous environment and would build in skills and supports to help them with future eLearning options, should they choose to continue with subsequent eLearning courses.
Course Selection Steps:
Grade 8 Students attending a UGDSB School
(for example Arbour Vista PS, Guelph Lake PS, John Galt PS, John McCrae PS (French Immersion students), Ken Danby PS, King George PS, Rockwood Centennial PS, Waverley Drive PS and William C. Winegard PS)
For Grade 8 Students coming from John F. Ross feeder schools: course selection will be done with MyBlueprint accessed via the student’s UGCloud platform. Course selection opens beginning of January and closes the end of January.
Grade 8 students wishing to register for Summer School Reach Ahead credits can do so through the MyBlueprint platform in the Spring. Please consult with your elementary school guidance counsellor on the process. For more details on the dates, and format please check out Wellington Centre for Continuing Education webpage on our Upper Grand District School Board Website:
For student’s currently attending John F. Ross CVI, course selection is with MyBlueprint accessed via the student’s UGCloud platform. Course selection opens in January and closes mid-February.
Grade 8 Students attending a school outside the UGDSB (including a private school, seperate school board school and homeschool)
You will select your courses using the Grade 9 Course Selection Worksheet and submit them with your registration package. Additional information, including the required registration paperwork can be found here.
To book a registration appointment please contact:
Victoria Smith– Administrative Assistant to Vice Principal, Ross Watson Students with Surnames: A – G 519-822-7090 x232
Marie Creighton – Administrative Assistant to Vice Principal, Amie Willoughby Students with Surnames: H – N 519-822-7090 x234
Elise Kroes-Burn – Administrative Assistant to Vice Principal, Laura Griffin Students with Surnames: O – Z 519-822-7090 x233
Page updated
Report abuse