Searching for Academic Upgrading

Alternative for students who are seeking a different experience from the traditional high school setting while having the opportunity to have more input into their mode of learning through a combination of differentiated academic programs as well as Cooperative Education.

Provides an independent learning environment, flexible scheduling, workplace opportunities, smaller classes and self-paced learning at one of five schools.

Alternative Schools

• Elizabeth Wyn Wood
• Frederic Banting
• Norman Johnston
• Richard Pfaff
• Urban Aboriginal

Literacy and essential skills training, including numeracy, digital, communication and interpersonal skills

• helps learners prepare for employment, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, post-secondary education and greater independence

Workplace Basic Skills Program: offers training in the following areas:

• Child Care Assistant
• Preparation to enter a Personal Support Worker (PSW) program or become a Health Care Aid
• Computer Skills
• Certificates for Employment
• Adaptive Learning Program

Academic Upgrading program includes reading, writing and numeracy instruction to help clients meet their goals. In-person and online classes available, September to June.

The High School Credit Program (evening and summer): Courses offered towards a High School Diploma for both regular and mature students. For High School Credit Courses (Night School) towards high school graduation, Summer School call 613-239-2620.

International and Indigenous Languages (Elementary): Provides academic instruction in languages other than English and French. These classes are available to elementary school-age children (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8), who are Ontario residents primarily from the Ottawa area. Most of the classes are held Saturday mornings from September to June.

International Languages (Secondary): Language courses other than English and French that are offered for academic credits towards a high school diploma. The courses are intended for eligible regular day school students, and adults who are Ontario residents. They are also intended for university prerequisites or for specific studies or career-related goals.

The following languages are typically offered: Arabic, Bengali, Berber (Tamazight), Cantonese, Dari, German, Greek (Modern), Hindi, Japanese, Mandarin, Malayalam, Nepali, Pashto, Simplified Chinese, Sinhala, Somali, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Thai, Tibetan, Urdu, Vietnamese. For more information, call 613-239-2703

The Outdoor Education Centres: The Continuing Education division operates two outdoor sites, program information is on the website:

MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre
3635 Highway 17
Cumberland, ON, K4C 1G9
Tel: 613-833-2080
Fax: 613-833-0770

Bill Mason Outdoor Education Centre
3088 Dunrobin Rd
Dunrobin, ON, K0A 1T0
Tel: 613-832-0126
Fax: 613-832-7229

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is provided at many OCDSB locations throughout Ottawa

• classes are offered at Literacy and LINC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and includes preparation for the Citizenship Test
• in-person classes at all locations with online options as well

English as a Second Language (ESL) non-credit classes for adults offered at many OCDSB locations throughout Ottawa

Levels available:

• basic
• intermediate
• advanced

Specialized courses for adults may include:

• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
• Academic Test Preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL, etc)
• Workplace English
• ESL for Hospitality, and for Home Renovation
• Listening, speaking, pronunciation, reading, writing and grammar

To register, LINC and clients should have one of the following:

• current CLBs within the last year from any LINC or ESL class; or
• current Language Assessment from the YMCA Language Assessment and Resource Centre
• more information here

For information on LINC and ESL classes:

• visit the website

Education support services and job training programs

Stepping Stones Learning Centre:

• a teacher and volunteer tutors help adult men and women complete their high school education or post-secondary programs provided through online training or in-class instruction
• students work one-on-one with the teacher or tutor on a variety of goals including basic literacy, computer training, job searching through Career Cruising, on-line courses, French Club, etc.

Discovery University:

• participation in non-credit, university-level Humanities and Social Sciences courses at no cost
• courses are taught by professors and all textbooks and course materials are provided
• partnership between The Ottawa Mission, University of Ottawa, Saint Paul University, Carleton University and First Baptist Church

Food Services Training Program:

• five-month training program where men and women on social services can learn the skills necessary to work in a commercial kitchen

Custodial Skills Training Program:

• access to custodial and care-taking work training through an eight week course at St. Nicholas Adult High School
• includes classroom and on-the-job training, cleaning techniques, use of cleaning machinery and equipment, and a resume workshop

Alternative for students who are seeking a different experience from the traditional high school setting while having the opportunity to have more input into their mode of learning through a combination of differentiated academic programs as well as Cooperative Education.

Provides an independent learning environment, flexible scheduling, workplace opportunities, smaller classes and self-paced learning at one of five schools.

Alternative Schools

• Elizabeth Wyn Wood
• Frederic Banting
• Norman Johnston
• Richard Pfaff
• Urban Aboriginal

High school credits are obtained in lifeskills, academic classes and cooperative education. Students can obtain work experience while obtaining high school credits. Academic classes are taken on an independent study basis. Students have the opportunity to take compulsory courses and can complete all credits required for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

This is the only site that has an under-16 program which allows students to complete some of the course requirements for their grade 9 year.

Online courses designed for adults who want to complete their high school diploma, upgrade or earn prerequisites

• English
• English as Second Language
• Mathematics
• Social Sciences / Contemporary Studies
• Co-op credits for working adults through Credits @ Work Program

Adult upgrading including reading, writing, numeracy, digital, communication

• offers a Deaf Adult upgrading program as well, language of instruction is ASL
• helps learners prepare for employment, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, post-secondary education and greater independence

Courses designed for adult learners who want to complete their high school diploma

• focus on reading, writing, mathematics, and social sciences

Courses designed for adult learners who want to complete their high school diploma

• focus on reading, writing, mathematics, and social sciences

COVID-19 (5 Sep 2022): In-person high school and child care for clients. Visitors to the building are welcome, but please call ahead for an appointment. For In-Kind donations such as diapers/wipes/formula - please email info@youvillecentre.org to verify current needs and to book a drop off appointment. Online financial donations are always welcome.

Programs and services for young mothers and their children

• high school education onsite through M.F. McHugh Education Centre and St. Nicholas Adult High School
• licensed child development program focusing on infant mental health
• crisis intervention
• mental health therapy and treatment
• substance use counselling
• help with problem-solving
• attachment-based parenting programs and parent-child therapy
• support in setting goals and navigate access
• referrals to external resources and specialized services (e.g. housing, Ontario Works, health and law)
• breakfast and lunch programs
• food bank
• swap shop
• YouStore (in-kind donations of necessities)

COVID-19 (12 Oct 2021): Service provided virtually. Occasional in person appointments where required. Service hours may be modified.

Services for young offenders:​

Community Support Team
Provides individualized community-based counselling services to youth and their families

Intensive Support Supervision Program
Intensive and comprehensive community based treatment program

St. John Bosco Achievement Center
Educational program for youth that have struggled in a regular school setting and cannot for various reasons, attend mainstream or alternative programs

Youth in Transition Worker
Supports youth in their successful transition out of the child welfare system into adulthood

Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) Parent Group Therapy
Eight session program run by trained facilitators certified in CPS

On Point Program
Gang Prevention and Intervention services, community based counselling and supports to youth who are involved in or vulnerable to gangs * delivered in partnership with the John Howard Society of Ottawa

Next Chapter Program
Community based specialized supports and services for young people who are vulnerable to or survivors of human trafficking

Literacy and Basic Skills:

• Literacy and basic skills training, including numeracy, digital, communication and interpersonal skills
• helps learners prepare for employment, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, post-secondary education and greater independence

Learners are tutored individually by trained teachers in weekly sessions which take place in the Society's offices

• meeting times are flexible
• computer workshops available on site

Financial Literacy Program:

• personal mentoring to help develop skills for managing money on a daily basis

Literacy and Basic Skills: Literacy, numeracy and essential skills services to assist in transitioning to employment, apprenticeship, post-secondary education or independence

• individuals can study single courses, or they can earn the Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE) which is recognized across Ontario as a Grade 12 equivalency for admission to college, and by many employers as meeting their minimum employment standard
• delivery of most courses is individualized
• placement tests determine which course to start in
  • continuous intake
  • daytime
  • full-time or part-time

Courses designed for adult learners who want to complete their high school diploma

Focus on:

• reading
• writing
• mathematics
• social sciences

Support program for young mothers offered in partnership with l'école Le Transit
Services include:

• individual or group therapy
• themed workshops
• support with educational, financial, emotional, social issues
• access to essential services: food bank, nursing care, laundromat
• intervention : accompaniment to community resources, early screening
• Ontario Ministry of Education approved individualized syllabus
• child care services offered by the Centre Éducatif 'Les Petites Frimousses'

Establishes contact with those in the City of Ottawa who are struggling to survive spiritually, physically, or psychologically

• mitigates the effects of urban isolation on the life of the individual
• offers friendship and a listening ear
• assists with finding housing, legal help, medical and dental care and employment
• one on one literacy assistance
• Bible study
• prayer
• hospital and prison visits
• partners with the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre to provide adult education in a classroom setting

Member of Multi-Agency Early Risk Intervention Tables (MERIT) round-tables

• meeting weekly to offer support to Ottawa's most urgent cases

Literacy and basic skills training:

• numeracy, digital, communication and interpersonal skills
• helps learners prepare for employment, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, post-secondary education and greater independence

Distance Education service

• offers literacy and basic skills training, including numeracy, digital, communication and interpersonal skill
• helps learners prepare for employment, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, post-secondary education and greater independence

Community and recreational programs and supports

• community food bank
• homework club
• child and youth programs (year round)
• adult learning programs
• informal counseling and referrals

Offering literacy and basic skills services

• employment
• apprenticeship
• secondary-school credit
• post-secondary education
• greater independence
• free one-on-one tutoring

COVID-19 (October 19, 2022): Center is open by appointment with some virtual programming. Contact by calling, email, texting 613-298-0311, or visit the website.

Support programs for pregnant and parenting youth adapted to individual needs

• programs for children
• parenting
• prenatal classes
• personal growth
• life skills
• parenting program for young fathers
• attachment therapy
• limited child care during programs
• High School Achievement Centre
• support and counselling
• free lunch is provided
• food bank
• obstetrical clinic
• contraceptive clinic
• children's play groups
• baby wellness clinics
• breastfeeding supports
• cooking classes

Literacy instruction to deafblind adults in their preferred method of communication

• students have the opportunity to reach their goals and enhance their link to the environment

Services include:

• numeracy
• communication
• reading and writing
• daily living skills
• basic computer instruction

Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS)

• literacy, numeracy and essential skills services that help learners transition to their goals of employment, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, post-secondary education or independence
• support in clarifying upgrading goals and developing a training plan to achieve them