Halton Catholic District School Board: About Our Board

About Our Board

The Halton Catholic District School Board provides quality Catholic education to more than 28,500 students at 39 elementary and 7 secondary schools in the communities of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. Instruction is offered from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 and through the Continuing Education Services and Adult Learning Centre campuses in Oakville and Burlington to students and adults of all ages.

As part of a comprehensive curriculum, our schools provide Religion and Family Life Education and in addition, offer all the programs mandated by the Ministry of Education. French as a Second Language (core French program) is offered daily to all pupils in grades 4 - 8. French Immersion is offered as an optional program to interested students in designated English language schools beginning at the grade 5 level. Extended French is offered as a continuation of the elementary French Immersion program at all of our high schools where a sufficient enrolment warrants it. English-as-a-Second-Language program support is provided to eligible students in elementary and secondary schools.

The Board provides special education programs and services to support identified special needs students within the most enabling setting possible, usually within the regular classroom.

A Vision of Catholic Education

Catholic schools are an integral part of the Church's mission to evangelize youth. Children who attend our schools are welcomed into Faith communities in which a Christ-centred approach is central to instruction in all subject areas.

We strive to develop in our students a love of God, people and self, an appreciation of prayer and a moral foundation to assist them as they journey through life. Our Catholic schools provide a complete academic program in an environment that integrates learning, religious instruction, Gospel values, and spiritual formation into all aspects of the curriculum. Spirituality and the witness and practice of Faith are lived out in the daily experiences of staff and students. Our schools have strong links to parishes and assist the parishes with sacramental preparation, while chaplains and parish staff conduct liturgies and provide other services to our schools.

Board Mission Statement

The Halton Catholic District School Board, in partnership with home and Church, is dedicated to providing excellence in Catholic education by developing Christ-centred individuals enabled to transform society.

Governing Values

At the Halton Catholic District School Board we know that:

our school community exists to foster and exemplify Catholic values
the education of our students is a necessary investment in society
education is a lifelong process that fosters the worth of the individual

education is a process involving a partnership of students, home, school, Church and community

the education of everyone toward their fullest potential creates a better future

an effective learning environment fosters in each student a sense of unique value, self-esteem and importance to society

dedicated teachers and staff ensure a positive and caring learning environment enabling students to reach their full potential

the ability to understand, manage and direct change is essential to success

we are accountable to the community for the effective management of our resources

2006-2007 System Goals & Objectives

(To be incorporated in the System-Wide Improvement Plan)

To celebrate and promote the distinctive and valuable contribution of Catholic Education to our Faith Journey.
To promote our Catholic Learning Community as a culture of high learning expectations, rooted in faith:

     a) To enhance effective instructional and assessment strategies to support student learning.

     b) To pursue the achievement of provincial targets in reading, writing, and mathematics.

     c) To facilitate professional growth through staff development opportunities.
To foster the dignity of the human person in a safe, healthy and active learning environment that recognizes that all pupils are children of God

Servant Leadership

Our Board endorses a leadership model known as servant leadership, and it applies at all levels from the most senior positions, as well as to student leaders. The essence of servant leadership is the expectation that leaders embrace a strong sense of service, of collegiality, of vision, of co-responsibility, of accountability, and a commitment to ongoing personal professional growth and to the development of the Catholic community and the community at large.