Online summer school registrations are once again strong across Lambton-Kent.
Lambton-Kent District School Board Director of Education John Howitt said there are currently 1,230 students registered in 11 programs this summer. He added this year's registrations could break last year's highest ever number of registrations because the deadline hasn't closed yet and it will likely increase in the coming days.
"Strong subscription for registration for summer learning, including our summer co-op programs. We also have programs for elementary students," said Howitt.
He noted 1,859 students enrolled in eight summer school programs in 2020. He added three programs could not run last year but have returned for this summer.
Howitt also said there are over 400 fewer students registering from outside of his school board for summer programming because other boards in the province are now offering similar programs and students are staying with their own board for summer school.
"Last summer we were a bit ahead of the curve in programs we offered and hence we had a large influx of registrants from outside the board," he added.
Director of Education at the St. Clair Catholic District School Board Deb Crawford said her board has also seen an "enthusiastic response" for summer school registrations. Crawford noted that several Grade 12 students who have already graduated are looking over their summer school options and some are even considering returning next year to improve grades.
The Catholic school board said approximately 100 secondary students are registered to take virtual summer courses, which board officials said is comparable to the number from last year. Approximately 45 students are also participating in a co-op program. Around 200 elementary students are enrolled in the summer learning program.
Board Communications and Public Relations Supervisor Todd Lauzon also said a transition program designed to make Grade 9s comfortable entering high school has almost 300 students registered, which he said is up dramatically from the typical 60 students normally expected.
The Catholic school board also reported that the five-year graduation rate has reached nearly 90 per cent, which is above the provincial average of 87 per cent. That means that nine in 10 students who entered St. Clair Catholic secondary schools in 2015-16 graduated.
“This is an outstanding achievement for our students and our staff,” said Crawford. “This great success would not be possible without the tremendous support of our educators – not just at the secondary level – but in grades K through 12 and our School Within A College (SWAC) program. It takes the support of educators at all levels across the system to help our students achieve their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Well done, everyone!”
The graduation data is provided through the Ministry of Education.